Key danger with climbing a VF route with a normal Via Ferrata kit used in the normal way ... is that if actually take a fall, the climber will fall down to below the recent cable-attachment post -- which could be a long distance. In theory the shock absorber of a normal VF kit ought to handle the "fall factor" of the impact on the lanyard and harness and climber's pelvis and spine -- but even so there's the problem of hitting external objects on such a long fall, like protruding rocks, VF fixed hardware, and even the VF cable attachment post.
Of course having a Lead partner above with a rope attached to climber and belay device does address this, but one of the attractions of VF climbing is being able to move at your own pace.
A very good device to self-belay climbing VF without a partner is the Skylotec Skyrider, with works sort of like a Top-Rope-solo device, but on 10 mm steel cable (except it does not self-feed as well as some TR-Solo devices). So the distance of fall is kept rather short (which allows the climber to play with more difficult interesting moves).
Big problem is that the Skylotec Skyrider is not available any more.
So I decided to try instead a Petzl Rescucender, which is designed for12 mm ropes.
Today I used it for climbing on VF Gorges du Durance. Immediately on reaching the start of the VF cable, it passed the first key Test: I could get it onto and then off from 10 mm steel cable. Then passed the second Test: I could slide it upward while it was attached to the cable.
Critical third test: When I yanked downward on the attached Rescucender, it immediately grabbed and held on the cable. I put full body weight on it, not problem.
Then still easy to remove after yanking or full-body-weight.
I used it more and more confidently in my actual climbing. On the final 300 ft upward exit I climbed it about 98% "free" with hands and feet directly on the rock, using the fixed hardware (and steel cable) for Protection only, not Aid. Including some "free" rock moves at difficulty Euro 6a -- relying on the Rescucender to keep possible fall distance short.
Drawback: So far I do not know how to (reliably) remove or attach the Rescucender to the 10 mm steel cable without using two hands. (Unlike the Skylotect Skyrider which is designed for one-handed attachment+removal).
Ken
