ICG backpacks set the standard for comfortable, intelligent, and durable design in the brutal canyon environment. Our Heaps packs ride as smoothly as backpacking packs, but sacrifice unneeded bells and whistles to deliver sleek, technical performance. The packs shed water quickly, rarely get caught up on canyon debris, and are big enough to stow everything we need on long guided days.

With 200+ user days, 700+ immersions, and countless chimney squeezes and grating stems last season, our Heaps Packs survived and served us faithfully. Imlay packs are invaluable tools in the canyon, and we love them. Thanks for the great work, Tom. - Nick

Nick Wilkes
Director of Guided Services
Zion Adventure Company
www.zionadventures.com


GEAR WHERE TO BUY TEAM SERVICE ABOUT
CANYONEERING PACKS Heaps Kolob Spry Mystery Leprechaun
CANYONEERING ROPE 8.3mm Canyon Fire 8mm Canyon Rope 9.2mm Canyonero 6mm Pull Cord
ROPE BAGS Rope Silo Small & Large Bagarino Bagette
POTHOLE ESCAPE TOOLS Potshot
ADVANCED ANCHOR TOOLS SandTrap
KEEPING STUFF DRY Small Canyon Keg Large Canyon Keg
ACCESSORIES The Clipster Scuttlebutt The Book

Canyoneering Rope Bags

It does not take a lot of canyons to figure out that just having ropes is not enough. Canyoneers use ROPE BAGS to manage their ropes - for stuffing them, for carrying them, for deploying them, and for keeping them under control in a difficult and dirty environment. Good rope bags are an essential tool for elegant passage through the canyons.

Imlay offers four sizes of rope bags for different lengths and diameters of ropes. The ROPE SILO is our most sophisticated model, and sized to fit 200 to 300 foot ropes. Somewhat less fancy, the BAGARINO offers good performance for ropes up to 120 feet (9.2mm) or 150 feet (8mm or 8.3mm). The BAGETTE is made for a 200' 6mm Pull Cord.

All our rope bags feature some floatation, flow-through mesh for instant drainage, and a flared-to-the-top shape and stiffened rim to make stuffing the rope easier.

    Rope Tools Overview     Details and FAQ

Far From Just a Rope Bag

Floppy yellow tubular pvc bag? (Sigh) - how 1990's!

The Rope Silo was my first canyoneering design, and it has held up in the test of time. Perhaps a bit over-the-top, but it all works, and works really well. While the Silo is the most sophisticated design, many of the same features trickle down to the lower-volume bags, adjusted appropriate to the rope in use. Here are the shared features:

SOPHISTICATED
  SHAPE

The shape is oval, and tapered - larger at the top, funnel-like. For a given volume, this allows a bigger opening for your hands to stuff the rope into. The non-cylindrical shape adds to the bag's stiffness, aiding it in standing up and staying open. The top cuff (weasel-neck, drawcord sleeve) is also flared, so it can A. fold out and over the top (larger sizes) or B. be held out and form part of the stuffing 'target' (smaller sizes).

The shape is carefully designed for best performance in the canyon. Admittedly, the shape (of the Silos at least) is not so good for carrying on a pack. In-canyon, rope bags are generally handed or passed (or tossed) forward; but on the approach, they can be a bear to attach to the pack. Two suggestions:

1. select a rope bag size that EASILY fits your favorite cord. With the rope bag jammed solid, it is a chore to attach to a pack. With some working room, less full, the shape can be manipulated so it can be tucked on the top of your pack;
2. if the approach is long, coil the rope and carry the Silo separately. Make the rope coil a shape and size that fits well on your pack.

STIFF IS GOOD!

The rims on all our bags are stiffened, to stay open and out of your way when you are shoving your cord into the bag. The Silos use a stiff nylon wire which is RIGID! The Bagarino and Bagette tape the top rim seam using 1" strap - not as stiff as the nylon wire, but (for their smaller size) enough to get the job done.

IT DRAINS!

In and out of potholes and swims, the rope bag needs to drain. Half the exterior is coarse nylon mesh, so these puppies drain great.

IT FLOATS!
 WELL,
 USUALLY

Foam is incorporated into the design to stiffen the panels and empower single-person stuffing. It also provides floatation, enough float to keep MOST ropes that fit in the bag on the surface. YMMV. (Some ropes out there are peculiarly heavy and will sink em).

LOTS OF
 TIE IN POINTS

Different strokes for different folks, and folks have different rope-tie-in schemes. For me, I like poking the end through the bottom grommet and triple-girth-hitching it to the bottom strap. That way the bottom end of the rope is always accessible in case I need it. There is a mid-height tie-in loop for those who want to keep that end inside the bag; and two handles PLUS an inside top-rim loop at the top. All handles and tie-in points are two layers of burly webbing for long life and prosperity.

Rope Management Tool Models

Rope Silo Large

Our largest rope silo, the Large is made for 200 feet of 9.2mm cord or 300 feet of 8.3mm. A plastic wire stiffens the rim and foam front and back hold that rim up for quick and easy stuffing. Lots of mesh for drainage, lots of foam for floating, lots of tie points for tying. A premium ride.

Rope Silo Small

Shorter than the Medium, but otherwise the same. A big, oval target to shove the rope into, flared to the top to make stuffing and carrying easier. Made for 200 feet of 8mm or 8.3mm rope. Stiff rim, mesh, tie points galore - all the deluxe features for a deluxe rope management tool.

Bagarino

In many canyons, the "working rope" is a shorter rope that is easier to manage, easier to carry, easier to toss around. The Bagarino is great for the working rope, being sized for 120 feet of 9.2mm (maybe 150 feet of 8.3mm); and smaller/lighter than a Silo, but still with a stiffened rim, lots of mesh, foam and tie points. Center-clip strap allows it to be worn as a fanny pack for speed canyoneering!

Bagette

Smaller still, the Bagette is a great way to manage your pull cord. The smaller the cord, the more it WANTS to tangle. So keep your cord in line with a bagette. Sized for 6mm pull cord x 200 feet.

 

Imlay Canyon Gear

PO Box 5532
2625 S State Street
Mount Carmel   Utah   USA   84755

 

CanyoneeringUSA@gmail.com
voice 435-648-3089
fax 435-304-0096