BG Gear - Sqwurel4
BG Gear - Sqwurel4
Best Rappel Device (for long rappels) EVER! New and Improved 4th Edition !!!
ALL Colors are out of stock for a few months, until Luke’s order arrives. Tariffs and therefore final price unknown until arrival date.
After using my prototype for a year and a half, I am convinced this is the best rappel device ever for long rappels. The ladder allows friction adjustments while on rappel and free-hanging (or not). The ladder allows for close increments of friction to be used, so your friction can be perfect every time, even if you chose wrong when going over the edge.
The downside is that it requires attention to be paid to the device while rappelling. Moving your brake hand to the side, out or in, can pop the rope out of the notch, resulting in a sudden loss of friction. Seems like I flop my arms around more than most… Version 4 decreases the pop out tendency significantly. While I would not use it in Class C canyons (where I am an arm-flapping advanced BEGINNER), many real Class C canyoners in the PNW like and use the Sqwurel on a regular basis.
Since the Critr is MINE MINE MINE!!!!, I use the Critr as my everyday device. If the adventure calls for long rappels (longer than 200 feet), then I will bring a Sqwurel for that.
Not so hot with double ropes, but OK. It does twist up (sqwurel) the rope about the same as other devices. Sqwurel4 is said to have improved/solved the twisting problems… I remain a skeptic until I have some time on the device.
Weight: 4.7 ounces / 133 grams
Colors: as shown
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CRITR3 !!!
An innovative rappel device from Todd and Desi at Climbing Sutra, now an Imlay Canyon Gear product. Lots of options allow careful adjustment of friction while on rappel. Symmetry allows flipping that extends the life of the device. Part of the new wave of rappel devices that allow changes in friction while rapping. Lots of options has made this a popular rappel device especially for full-size (>170 lbs) canyoneers.
I have moved production to a quality shop in Taiwan, and made a few minor tweaks to the design to help it rappel smoothly right out of the box…
We no longer sell the ATC, as it is not a Canyoneering device, but I thought I would leave this here as a link to an interesting bit of history on the CUSA Tech Tip linked below.
And just so people know, if you show up to a canyon trip with an ATC, you shall be frowned upon, righteously. It is like showing up to a gun fight with a peanut butter sandwich. Although sometimes I bring one for belaying, or because it is a Grand Canyon trip and every ounce counts!
A truly stellar plate-style rappel device, the ATC-XP works especially well on small diameter ropes, and offers a variety of modes for different levels of friction. It is compact, and my device of choice when we are not doing very many rappels, but I like the Critr or Sqwurel better for more technical ropework.
An elegant, simple design for ascending ropes. Now with a nice plastic widget that helps set the teeth into the rope. Use with a large-rod-stock carabiner like the Cypher Iris or the BD RockLock. Very lightweight and handy to have. Fits on ropes 8mm to 11mm, works pretty well on my 6mm pull cord. The downside: sharp teeth can tear up the rope, and it is very hard to move DOWN the rope, for instance when changing back to rappel mode. This is probably the best choice to carry as an emergency ascender. Superlight and compact, not too too pricey, and it does not wear out. Also useful for hauling packs and stuff like that.
BUT: not good on actual 8mm ropes. Very hard to get it grip => tears up the sheath when it does not work. If using the really nice, expensive, modern top-of-the-line ropes, then you definitely can afford a Petzl Basic and MicroTraxion for your ascending kit, to avoid tearing up the rope.
PRO TIPS:
A. Use a round-stock carabiner like the BD Rocklock or Cypher Iris.
B. Clip using the German style for most uses. The French style will work better forcing it past a lip.
C. CAN be used as a progress capture device using the German style, with the rope inside the carabiner. Not the best, but okay.
D. Now that these are wicked expensive, just get a MicroTraxion and Basic, which weigh a little more but work MUCH better.