National Caving Association - C.N.C.C. Technical Group
WARNING
After a thorough investigation the C.N.C.C. Technical Group is issuing the
following warning. It concerns the use of the following permanent anchors:
- Eco anchors
- Petzl safety bolt
- Fixe ëglue iní
- Collinox
- Batíinox.
In certain location is has been necessary to locate the anchor placement
at ground level;
- Rowten Pot entrance pitch
- Cow Pot entrance pitch
- Juniper Gulf entrance Pitch at the north end.
After an intense investigation the following points have arisen.
When an anchor is clipped into at ground level, and progression to the entrance
drop is made by keeping low. It is possible for the attachment Krab to become
detached from the anchor. Also, anchors that have been placed below waist
height on traverses, and not correctly aligned with the direction of loading,
may produce a similar result. See figs. 1 & 2. When using anchors placed
in rock at ground level or anchors that have not been placed correctly on
traverses e.g. too low and the wrong alignment.
Certain extra precautions need to be observed.
- while manoeuvring, watch the attachment krab.
- always ensure that you have two safety devices connected.
- you may want to consider using screwgate or twist gate krabs on safety
loops/Cows tails.
- when belaying/top roping etc. where there is a necessity to move around,
it may be desirable to tie into the anchor.
13 October 1998
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