Can we fix this anchor?

[oldno7]

This one struck me as a little odd

[oldno7]

This is a full 200' rappel......

[ddpettin]

The tree looks pretty solid. Looks like you could wrap the webbing around the more vertical branch...that branch also looks to have more girth. This could potentially give you an easier entry into the rap and easier pull if you are able to get some additional height out of it. The tree looks solid enough that the bolt in ground in unnecessary.

[abarbosa]

Agree that the tree looks very solid and green. I can use only the tree for rappel.

The bolt in the ground could give you some "additional" safety but it looks like the rope is directly connected to the anchor, if this is the case, the rope could be damaged if it gets a heavy load.

[DavidD]

Yea idk about the rope running through that hanger. I would also be entirely comfortable using the tree as the anchor and the bolt simply as a backup. I think using the tree might make for an easier pull and possibly less abrasion on the rope (and on the rock) than using the bolt.

[rread]

Where is the redundancy in the single bolt. It looks as if they use the main part of the tree at first glance, but don't know. This must be in Moab where they are a little concerned about having webbing hanging from trees. Who knows?

[mdd]

The bolt in the ground could give you some "additional" safety but it looks like the rope is directly connected to the anchor, if this is the case, the rope could be damaged if it gets a heavy load.

I don't think the rope is through the anchor; I think someone used a length of rope/cord instead of webbing. You can see that it is a short loop in the first photo.


M

[oldno7]

I don't think the rope is through the anchor; I think someone used a length of rope/cord instead of webbing. You can see that it is a short loop in the first photo.


M

Mike is right, the back-up to the bolt is 6mm cord. Not Rope.

[84x4bronco]

i know whats wrong... pull the bolt. if redundancy is the issue (webbing wise), use the other fork of the tree, because i doubt tree strength is the issue. even then, looking at the angle of the rock, if that tree were dead weight you'd still probably be able to use it.

[nonot]

That's a strange looking tree to me; growing lengthwise along the ground like that..,it's green though. Hmmm, I think I'd be willing to rap on this as is assuming the tree is OK, only thing I'm worried about is the rope length and rope pull.

If the rap is exactly 200 feet I'd need to extend the anchor a few feet anyway so my 2--ft rope would reach the bottom after tying it to a buddy's 200 ft rope.

If we send someone down and the test rope pull seemed iffy or went badly I'd also want to extend the anchor.

So if we need to change it:
Cut the accessory cord and change the webbing to wrap 2 pull 1 (adjusting the location of the knot) and extend the anchor all the way to the edge to make the pull easier. Probably doesn't even require you adding your own webbing to do this.

If you want redundancy, run your own webbing to the bolt. I think the bolt is fine, it's under the tree and out of harm's way...not detracting from the experience, it's just a little far from the rap. Since it's 200 feet I think I'd like a backup.

[xxnitsuaxx]

I think the biggest problem with this anchor is that it misses a great opportunity for a simul-rap. If I'm not mistaken it's the Morning Glory Arch rappel in Medieval Chamber, Moab.

[Fire Rescue]

hmm....perhaps they needed bolting practice? ...maybe the used the bolt as the primary anchor and the tree as the secondary, seeing that there is webbing still on it...but why would you wanna put yourself in that kinda situation...it'd be better off to make the bolt the back up because making your anchor point higher makes it that much easier to approach/navigate the ledge...and shit...if that tree gave out, i think you'd have bigger problems (fat ass).

[Parker]

Is that a branch on the ground or a second bolt to the right of the 1st? Either Use both bolts and extend webbing to the edge or, agreeing with Clint, Pull it out if it serves no purpose. The tree is plenty, just extend your point over the edge.