UKC

Has anyone tried the Austrialpin Bloc? It locks onto the via ferrata cable, and so prevents a large fall. Would like some more info/feedback if anyone has tried it.

Here's the link from the Austrialpin website: http://www.austrialpin.at/eisklettern/klettersteig/ferrata-bloc.aspx

It can be bought standalone to complement another via ferrata kit (what I'd do), or as part of one of the austrialpin via ferrata kits.

I'd also been having a look at the Skylotec Skyrider after reading positive comments on UKC and elsewhere, but I can't find it - it appears to have been discontinued? I can't understand why: it seems to be much safer than any other via ferrata system out there (if anyone has more info on this, would also like to hear more!)

In reply to Juan S:

Looks as though it works on a similar system to a shunt. It appears to have a grip release to slide it up, but I should imagine it's quite fiddly to use. As you say, safer. I wouldn't like to take a long fall on via feratta gear.

In reply to Trangia:
It's mentioned in here:

http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=607973

In reply to Juan S:

Problem is it is very specialised and so not very adaptable. What happens when the cable is fatter (they certainly exist) ?
No chance of clipping into anything else or even fixed ropes by the look of it. No chance of making an Italian hitch for an improvised lower. And so on.

Everyone seems to worry about their gear on via ferratas but gear failure is almost never the cause of accidents. Stonefall, people falling on you, and not starting early enough so getting fried in the afternoon lightning storm are the things you have to worry about. Not to mention slipping on the descent path, which is the universal mountaineering hazard.

In reply to Juan S:

Ask KenR about the skylotec. Personally I think either device are only warranted if you don't cable haul and are likely to pop off. If you cable haul you can always rest at an anchor. I certainly couldn't be bothered clipping the AA device and my VF krabs all the time.

In reply to Erstwhile:

Thanks all for the replies.

Re concerns over gear failure: I'm not so much worried about my gear failing (though it has happened with catastrophic consequences), as I am about my body failing when taking a high impact force on a face with several steel protrusions.

I don't think I agree with concerns this gear is specialised: I think that's an advantage, and a necessity. You want different gear for via ferrata than you do for climbing (much higher impact forces for one). This specialised gear to prevent a VF fall would be in addition to your usual gear.

With the Aa bloc, I agree clipping in a third thing (in addition to the two via ferrata carabiners) would be a bit of a pain. But the avoiding a large fall seems like a great reward for the effort. Perhaps to be used when climbing on rock without using the cable, or if climbing a section where you think you might fall.

There's a new skylotec due to be released this summer, the rider 3 (looks pretty similar to the skyrider 1 and 2).