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SandTrap
I was able to get out on a 10 day trip this month including 7 days on Lake Powell doing explorations and barely betad canyons. On this trip I was able to use the sandtrap for the first time. After being shown how to set it up I had some of the others watch me set it up once or twice to make sure I didn't miss anything. After this I felt confident setting it up by myself wherever we felt the geometry was favorable. It is very quick and easy to use.

It doesn't work at every drop but is useful in so many more spots than any other ghosting technique I've used in the past. The least favorable place to use one is a chockstone choked constriction as the trap can get tangled in the rocks, however these are generally the easiest places to throw a sling around one of those chockstones. Places where you would normally need to build a deadman or carin anchor (anchors that usually take the most time to build) is usually an ideal spot to use it, saving HUGE amounts of time. One canyon we did had 9 rappels, all of them off the sandtrap. We would have been in the canyon twice as long if we were building anchors at all these drops.

The SandTrap is the greatest invention for canyoneering since tubular webbing in my opinion, it's amazing once you learn how to use it and know its limitations (don't get too carried away trying to leave no trace or you will get it stuck). Always back it up until the last person and make sure you don't accidentally pull on the pull cord on rappel (that would dump the sand and be very bad).

Eric Godfrey, Salt Lake City, Utah (April 2010)

Colors: Assorted, no choice.
Weight: 680 grams or 24 ounces

The SandTrap is a new, advanced anchoring system thought up by Springdale’s Steve Woodford; that allows for a solid, reliable and retrievable anchor in many sandstone-canyon environments. Essentially, if you have sand, and a little bit of favorable geometry to work with, you can get an anchor.

As an ADVANCED anchor system, the SandTrap requires careful judgment and execution to use safely. PRACTICE will be required to get a feel for how much sand is required, and how much favorable geometry is required to produce a safe anchor. Please, BACKUP the SandTrap EVERY TIME until it has proven itself secure in the given circumstance. For this reason, it is suggested that the SandTrap will work better with sufficient people available to allow thorough testing of the Trap’s security before the final, ‘last man’ rappels from it without backup.

USING THE SANDTRAP

1. USE A CARABINER OR RAPID LINK to connect the rope to the SandTrap – both for the rappel rope and for the retrieval rope. Rope-on-webbing action will quickly wear out the tie-in points, so use metal for this vital link.

2. INSPECT the tie-in points and the retrieval strap on a regular basis, perhaps after every rappel. If either of these critical components are damaged, carefully evaluate the severity of the damage and whether continued use is safe.

SANDTRAP PARTS

The INSIDE of the SandTrap is smooth – this is where the sand goes. The OUTSIDE of the SandTrap has several straps and belt loops on it – where all the action takes place.

The TOP EDGE of the SandTrap has the “Imlay Canyon Gear” label, and the retrieval strap sliding through a belt loop; the BOTTOM EDGE of the SandTrap has the retrieval strap sewn to the tarp near its center.

FOUR TIE IN POINTS are found at the corners of the tarp. Use a locking carabiner to clip all four of these to the Rappel Rope.

ONE RETRIEVAL STRAP runs up the center of the SandTrap through 4 belt loops and out the top. Use a locking carabiner to attach this to a retrieval rope.

A BACKUP RETRIEVAL TIE-IN POINT is sewn at the center of the bottom edge, allowing attachment of a retrieval strap should the primary retrieval strap fail.

PREPARING THE SANDTRAP

Place the SandTrap on the ground, with the OUTSIDE of SandTrap facing down, the smooth INSIDE facing up. Orient the SandTrap with the BOTTOM EDGE facing TOWARD the drop. Pile sand on the center of the SandTrap. Pull the TOP EDGE over the sand and toward the drop to roughly line up with the BOTTOM EDGE.

Clip the FOUR (4) TIE IN POINTS to the rappel rope using a locking carabiner.

Place the SandTrap into a pothole, depression or dug pit close to the edge of the drop. Make sure that the “runout” is clear of objects and constrictions that could snag the SandTrap, or behind which the SandTrap could become jammed. If the surface is flat, build a berm or fence in front of the SandTrap out of available sand, to place the SandTrap behind, so that it has to 'climb a hill' to pull.

Clip the RETRIEVAL STRAP to the retrieval rope using a locking carabiner.

Set up a BACKUP SYSTEM to allow safe testing of the SandTrap as rigged without risk to the rappellers.

RAPPELLING FROM THE SANDTRAP AND RETRIEVAL

Rappel using minimum-force rappelling techniques. Examine the SandTrap as canyoneers rappel and add more sand or reposition the SandTrap if it appears sketchy. If concerned about retrieval, do a test pull to make sure the people below can successfully retrieve the SandTrap.

After everyone has rappelled, retrieve the SandTrap by pulling hard on the RETRIEVAL CORD. The cord bunches the center of the SandTrap and pushes the sand out the sides, at which point the empty SandTrap is pulled down to the waiting canyoneers. It may require a lot of pulling from below to get the retrieval process started, but generally once it starts, the retrieval proceeds with less force.

NOTES

Both the rappelling rope and the retrieval rope get very beat up in this process, especially the part near the SandTrap. Inspect these ropes often and change them out to spread the wear and tear around.

EVEN WHEN USED CAREFULLY, USE OF THIS ANCHOR SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. STUDY EACH SITUATION CAREFULLY, MAKE SMART DECISIONS, LIVE TO CANYONEER ANOTHER DAY. DO NOT BECOME OVERLY-FASCINATED WITH GHOSTING THE CANYON, WHERE THIS IS NOT A SMART DECISION.


Here's an example of a problematic placement. That chockstone out there, caught the SandTrap and tangled with it. The chockstone won. Dan had to go back up and get it, as it was his choice of placement. But hey, it's a really nice photo. Keep your priorities straight!

It is possible to 'save' placements like this smothering the potential sticking points with sand. If you've got lots of sand, you're golden. Folks are using Pot Shots as part of the system for transporting sand to the SandTrap!


Made in USA using USA and imported materials.

An interesting discussion on using the SandTrap is available on The Bogley Outdoor Forum.


 

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