Fifi hook rope retrieval

[Marc McDonald]

Years ago I was taught a technique of retrieving a single line rappel setup using a fifi hook. For those of you not familiar with fifi hooks, the hook has a small hole at the top and a larger (binner size) hole at the bottom. The technique involves attaching parachute cord, or similar small line, to the small hole in the top by using a stopper knot (I use a triple overhand) and tying the rappel rope to a rapide or locking binner attached to the large hole at the bottom. The fifi hook is slipped over the rapide attached to the anchor slings and the canyoneer rappels to the bottom with the bag of parachute cord feeding out as he/she rappels. When the rappel line is weighted the fifi hook won't budge from the anchor, but when unweighed tugging the parachute cord flips the entire rig off the anchor.

This technique seems to work best with smaller, lighter ropes, such as 8mm. I've used it a few times and so far it's worked perfectly. There are two things to be careful of; don't take your weight off the rope on the way down, and be careful when pulling the fifi hook off. A fifi hook with a rapide attached is a formidable little missile. Don't let it hit you or anyone else.

I'm a little nervous about this technique because I've never seen anyone else use it. Does anyone have an opinion about why this technique should or should not be used?

[Canyon Kelp]

Originally Posted by Marc McDonald

I'm a little nervous about this technique because I've never seen anyone else use it. Does anyone have an option about why this technique should or should not be used?

I'd classify this a "Flicker Chock"

I'd not use it because it can release, allowing you to plummet to your death.

I think you should be nervous... I also would consider the fact you've never seen anyone use this very carefully

Matt

[ratagonia]

Originally Posted by Marc McDonald

Years ago I was taught a technique of retrieving a single line rappel setup using a fifi hook.

I'm a little nervous about this technique because I've never seen anyone else use it. Does anyone have an opinion about why this technique should or should not be used?

You should be nervous! In some conditions, this can be pretty safe. In others, like where your weight is not fully ON the rappel the full time, it could be disasterous.

The resources required to do this technique (say, rapid link, fifi hook, 200' x 3mm cord, huevos grande) are not much less than those required to do a biner block and use a pull cord (carabiner, rapid link, 200' x 6mm pull cord); which does not have the same potential for misadventure.

Tom

[Marc McDonald]

Thanks to both of you for posting. I had suspected your analysis is correct, but I though it was worth while to ask if anyone had any experience with the technique. I don't know this for sure, but I've been told it's a technique used by some cavers. The attraction is that it can be much easier to pull the rope down since you aren't pulling the main line over the rock and through a rapide. The forum reality check confirmed for me that while its nice to just have the rope come tumbling down, this is not the way to do it.

Marc

[rcwild]

[DJ Meding]

I would have to say emergency use only and as always LMD only.

[ddpettin]

CRAZY!!

I also noticed the use of the Totem in that clip!

[DJ Meding]

All the cool kids have one

[Rocketman]

I would agree with the rest. If you are going to have a pull cord anyway, just use a block. Maybe only in an extreme case for the last one down when all else fails. Too scary.

Keith

[thafen]

That is definitely out of my league, I guess my huevos are just a touch too small