Happy Traversing for Leader and Second
by Libby Peter May/2010
This article has been read 14,872 times
Related UKC Articles and Gear Reviews:
Related UKC News items:
Related UKC Forum discussions:
 
This brand new UKC mini-series combines words, photos and diagrams to make it easy to grasp some of the trickier aspects of climbing. With the most up to date info possible it uses the stunning images of Mike Robertson and diagrams from Rock Climbing – Essential Skills and Techniques.
The Get Out On Rock DVD (pictured right) is a collaboration between Neil Gresham (top-level climber and Britain foremost coach) and Libby Peter (experienced Mountain Guide and climbing Instructor). It brings you the very latest in rock climbing skills and techniques and provides instruction and inspiration whether you're venturing onto rock for the first time or getting more adventurous with your climbing.
The DVD is available from: Libby Peter's Website
Lou Neill working hard to protect herself and her second on The Moon, E3 5c. Gogarth
UKC Articles, May 2010
© Mike Robertson
They are the trickiest pitches to get right when it comes to runners and belays, but traverses often provide our most memorable climbing journeys, taking compelling lines amidst dramatic scenery.
They are difficult to protect because you either put so many runners in you can't move for the rope-drag or leave them out and terrify yourself and your second. But before you go crossing all traverses off your tick-list, take a look at these tips and tricks for making life happier for you and your second.
Straight traverses
By this I mean the pitches where you have to belay directly at the end of the traverse so there's no scope to move above the traverse line. In this case the only way to protect the pitch adequately is by lacing it with runners.
With a single rope you'll have to use longer extenders or slings to minimise the rope drag and to stop the runners lifting out, as shown in the diagram below.
Protecting a Traverse Diagram 1
UKC Articles, May 2010
© MLTUK
If you're using double ropes you can clip each rope alternately or attempt to separate them by having a higher and lower rope as shown below.
Protecting a Traverse Diagram 2
UKC Articles, May 2010
© MLTUK
A Dream Of White Horses on Gogarth is not only a classic route but also a classic example of a straight traverse. The only way to adequately protect it for leader and second is to place as many runners as you can find, with the preference being cams wherever possible coupled with long extenders.
George and Paul on the classic A Dream of White Horses (HVS 4c), Gogarth, N Wales
© Jamie Moss
Belaying above
If you've got the option of moving back above the traverse line to belay you have a further option of intentionally leaving the runners out towards the end of the traverse so the second has a rope above them rather than puling from the side as they climb across. Obviously this only works if the leader is happy to climb the section without runners or in a situation where is no gear anyway.
Protecting a Traverse Diagram 3
UKC Articles, May 2010
© MLTUK
With double ropes you have more scope and can achieve both a rope from the side and one from above by leaving one rope out of the runners like this:
Protecting a Traverse Diagram 4
UKC Articles, May 2010
© MLTUK
On single pitch climbs where you are traversing close to the ground there is a real potential for hitting the deck if you've got the spacing of the runners wrong. So in many ways these routes require the most thought. See how to cope with a gritstone traverse in this clip:
VIDEO: Moving on with Leading; Traverses
Turning corners
Making changes in direction always creates problems for your runners. Moving into a traverse from a vertical section creates a stress point at the corner that will give you drag and possibly result in the runner lifting out as shown in the three diagrams below.
The solution is to put a long extender or even a sling on the runner in the corner to smooth out the angle.
Even better use multi-directional runners like cams or threads as shown in the far right image.
Runner on a traverse Diagram 1
UKC Articles, May 2010
© MLTUK
|
Runner on a traverse Diagram 2
UKC Articles, May 2010
© MLTUK
|
Runner on a traverse Diagram 3
UKC Articles, May 2010
© MLTUK
|
The lift on the runners at the change of direction is clearly visible as Chris gets higher on Aries, VS 4c, North Pembroke
UKC Articles, May 2010
© Mike Robertson
Likewise, when you change direction from a traverse to a vertical section you'll have the same 'corner' problem. Smooth out the sharp angles as far as possible whilst striking that balance between minimising the length of a fall with creating drag. Take a look at this sea-cliff pitch, which is problematic to protect for the leader because the traverse is close to the sea. The extenders need to be reasonably short to prevent a dunking yet the change of direction is sudden creating a sharp angle.
And Finally
But every cloud has a silver lining; falls from a traverse are generally quite 'soft'. In other words the impact force on the climber, runners and belayer are low. Happy traversing!
UKC Articles and Gear Reviews by Libby Peter:
| 
Forums ( 
UKC on Facebook - 
UKC on Twitter
- Terms & Conditions - Privacy Policy - Contact Us