The strange case of rigging adoption

...and gear preferences in Canyoneeing

Originally published in Instructional Canyoneering Resource on 5/3/2024

Throughout the years, I've seen and experience the strange process of how certain rigging ideas get rejected by individuals and/or communities, and how some other ideas get wholeheartedly embraced. In theory, you would think that adoption may be based on safety, reliability and efficiency, but in the end, it looks like the adoption choices fall more in the subjective aspects like "coolness" and "I want to look like an expert".

There are many examples of this social phenomena, but one that drives the point home in the American Southwest region, is the case of preventing stuck ropes and rock scarring by either: Courtesy Rigging or Toggle Sticks.

• Courtesy rigging: Safe, can rig contingency, no need to learn a new knot, no extra gear needed.

• Toggle stick: Not as safe, can not rig contingency, no rescue reserve rope, extra gear required.

Given these differences, you would think that Courtesy Rigging is widely adopted, or is on every newb's "need to learn" list. But that is not the case. Through the years, courtesy rigging keeps getting cut or misconfigured, while lots of newcomers to the sport aspire to "ghost" before they learn how to self-rescue.

The list of 'cases of strange adoption' goes on:

• The preferred way to rig a figure 8 block. Braid, EMO, Secure Compact?

• Reserve rope or pull cord?

• Toss'n go, binner block or releasable?

• Rock climbing harness with rapide+extension+protector, or canyon harness?

Stay safe, and choose wisely.

Courtesy Rigging explained: