agree about helmets. also agree with Toreador re quality of low grade vs trad.
> I read through the technique in the BMC guide to going outside where you pass a looped rope though the hoop and then tie a looped figure of 8 and attach it to the harness with a carabiner, but the UKC guide has a different technique involving tying a figure 8 on the blight then untying your climbing knot to thread it through (hope that make sense) is there any pros and cons to each technique? Looks like the second UKC way would use less rope?
* the first way mean you are never unattached form the rope, so 'feels' safer
*the second CAN mean you are (but the fo8 on bight is your new attchement,
clip it to belay loop not gear loop) and you could clip the rope to the anchor
with a qd if you like (so rope is still above you)
* 2nd it does use a bit less rope, not usually an issue (but maybe when in
spain/france) where long routes 35..40m are getting more common
BUT
* main concern is first way wont work if the anchor is small and you cannot get a
doubled rope (bight/loop) through it (and cowstails etc if a single point). 2nd way ALWAYS
will work as you only thread a single strand through.
DON'T go near this until you have your system wired on the ground.
You can practice at home till you understand the process.
get someone to show you and talk it through.