Caving Descender

Caving Descenders and Gear

Caving Descenders

A caving descender is a piece of safety equipment used for rappelling (abseiling) down a fixed rope into a cave. It works by using the principle of friction to control the rate of descent, allowing the caver to lower themselves safely. Unlike many descenders used in climbing, caving versions are specifically designed to handle technical maneuvers in the wet and muddy conditions common in caves.

We carry bobbin style and rack style caving descenders.

Petzl

Simple

$99.95

4 in stock.

Quantity:

Tier benefits:

The Simple comes stock with aluminum spools, and requires an external friction carabiner for function. An elongated attachment point allows the harness attachment carabiner to be rotated freely, allowing adjustments with reduced risk of dropping the descender. Most commonly paired with the Freino or Freino-Z.

The spools on the Simple can be swapped with each other, or entirely replaced (we stock both aluminum and steel!), prolonging the lifespan of the device.

Attach to your central d-link with a locking carabiner. Compatible with 8.5 to 11 mm diameter semi-static and static ropes. User replaceable spools are available in both aluminium and stainless steel– yes, we sell those too!

Pros

Smooth action
Straightforward usage

Cons

Single line only
Requires a friction spur carabiner (such as the Freino)

Petzl

Rack

$161.95

1 in stock.

Quantity:

Tier benefits:

The Petzl Rack is the rack style descender we carry. With a design that has origins in the 1870s, this descender is compatible with either one 9–13 mm diameter semi-static rope, or with two 8–11 mm semi-static ropes to facilitate long descents over 80 meters. Individual brake bars are replaceable to prolong the useful lifetime of the Rack.

The rack can be attached to the caver's central d-link with either a maillon (quicklink) or two opposed locking carabiners. The maillon is generally preferable as it is lighter, cheaper, and places the rack closer to the harness.

Pros

Ideal for long descents
User replaceable components

Cons

Can be unwieldy in tight spaces
Slower to use

Climbing Technology

Acles DX

$99.99

12 in stock.

Quantity:

Tier benefits:

Functionally identical to the Simple, with the addition of a brake carabiner attachment hole. The main attachment hole is too small for a Freino or Freino-Z to flip through, making the Freino-Z UNUSABLE and the Freino usable but with significantly reduced functionality. The stock spools are aluminum. Commonly paired with any carabiner as a brake device, though reinforced carabiners like the Edelrid Bulletproof will wear slower.

The Acles is compatible with single ropes from 9-12mm in size. CT sells replacement spools, which are not compatible with the Petzl devices or vice versa.

Pros

Straightforward and easy to use
Lightweight aluminum spools

Cons

Requires a carabiner to be hooked to the base (not the Freino)

Petzl

Stop

Assisted braking descender for caving

Descend with assisted braking for your cave explorations! STOP is a caving descender with assisted braking that can be used with 8.5 to 11 mm diameter low stretch kernmantle ropes It provides better control over the descent and makes maneuvers on the rope easier. The ergonomic handle makes the grip and overall use especially comfortable. Stainless steel friction zones make it a durable tool for all your excursions!

Descent control:
- Assisted braking improves control during the descent
- Rope maneuvers are made easier when passing intermediate anchors
- Compatible with 8.5 to 11 mm diameter low stretch kernmantle ropes
Comfort:
- The ergonomic handle allows you to easily unblock the rope and lower someone
- Handle faces user for better control of rope glide
- Design of the handled camming mechanism offers a comfortable descent
- Installation diagram engraved on the descender
- Safety gate on the openable side plate allows the rope to be installed easily while the device remains connected to the harness
- Elongated connection hole allows the FREINO Z carabiner to be rotated to help prevent dropping the descender when transferred from gear loop to attachment point
Stainless steel pulley and cam provide great durability

$179.95

3 in stock.

Quantity:

Tier benefits:

D-Links and Maillons

All caving harnesses are joined with either a D-link or Delta maillons (quick links). The objective is to have an attachment point that can be pulled omni-directionally. The harness CANNOT be joined with a normal carabiner.

We stock a variety of carabiners, and also stock the Camp aluminum and steel D-Links, along with Delta style maillons. Delta maillons are rated and will work, but are not efficient or fun to use.

Petzl

Omni Tri-act

$49.95

Quantity:

Tier benefits:

Pickup available at How NOT 2 LLC

Mon-Sat 7:30AM - 4:30PM

Omni Tri-act

How NOT 2 LLC

Pickup available, mon-sat 7:30am - 4:30pm

1065 12th Ave NW
Suite E7
Issaquah WA 98027
United States

+12067469075

Multi-directional semi-circle OMNI carabiner for fastening any caving-style harness.

Pros

Auto-locking design
Omni-directionally rated

Cons

Niche carabiner type
Tri-act gate can become fouled with mud

Petzl

Freino

$56.95

Tier benefits:

Pickup currently unavailable at How NOT 2 LLC

Freino

How NOT 2 LLC

Pickup currently unavailable

1065 12th Ave NW
Suite E7
Issaquah WA 98027
United States

+12067469075

Descenders often require the use of a friction spur, such as the purpose built Petzl Freino. Ideal for adding or adjusting friction during the descent.

Pros

Auto-locking design
Integrated wiregate spur on the spine improves braking friction

Cons

Niche carabiner type that can snag other gear and rope with the exposed wiregate

Petzl

Freino Z

$59.95

Carabiner gate type:

Tri-Act

Twist lock

Variant

Quantity:

Tier benefits:

Pickup available at How NOT 2 LLC

Mon-Sat 7:30AM - 4:30PM

Freino Z

Tri-Act

How NOT 2 LLC

Pickup available, mon-sat 7:30am - 4:30pm

1065 12th Ave NW
Suite E7
Issaquah WA 98027
United States

+12067469075

The friction spur are opposite each other on the Freino and the Freino-Z. The difference between these is ultimately for user preference, with little technical impact.

However, the Freino-Z lets you rotate the carabiner AND leave it rotated when rappelling and removing it. The Freino has a tendency to grab the rope with the exposed wiregate, which can lead to hangups on rope. The Freino Z largely eliminates this issue.

Pros

Less likely to snag than the Freino
Able to rotate entirely

Cons

Weight
Could be counterintuitive for those used to the Freino

Petzl

Delta Quick Link

$13.95

Quantity:

Tier benefits:

Pickup available at How NOT 2 LLC

Mon-Sat 7:30AM - 4:30PM

Delta Quick Link

How NOT 2 LLC

Pickup available, mon-sat 7:30am - 4:30pm

1065 12th Ave NW
Suite E7
Issaquah WA 98027
United States

+12067469075

Our Delta maillon, this is omni-directionally rated, with positioning clip to insure devices stay in the same place.

Pros

Bomb proof quick link construction

Cons

Heavy (3.4oz)
Can foul and require a wrench to remove

Rope

You will need a rope to descend with your cave descender, and we stock several that are specialized for the purpose. Relatively stiff rope is often preferred for caving, particularly with their higher abrasion and water resistance. Combined with lower elongation, these ropes will last longer and bring you back to the surface.

PMI

Pit Rope

$1.22

Size:

11 mm

9 mm

Length:

By the Foot

1200ft (366M)

300ft (92 M)

Variant

18 in stock.

Quantity:

Tier benefits:

The definitive hyper-static rope for recreational and professional caving. The Max-Wear sheath is designed to withstand the harshest of cave environments and makes ascending rope a breeze with its low elongation and compatibility with most, if not all, Single Rope Technique (SRT) climbing systems.

Available in 9mm and 11mm

Minimum breaking strength: