SILENT PARTNER USER`S MANUAL
Contents
1. of rope Figure 7 Lead climbing setup A ALWAYS USE A BACKUP BELAY SYSTEM With the Silent Partner the use of a backup belay system is more than just a safety consideration The weight of the excess rope handing from the device can make rope feeding difficult Clipping backup knots to your harness will remove this weight from the Silent Partner There may be up to 50 feet of rope 25 foot loop hanging between the Silent Partner and the first backup knot without hindering rope feed However having less rope between the Silent Partner and the knot will offer more security and result in easier feeding see backup belay system for leading in this manual As you climb clip protection into the strand of rope between the anchor and the Silent Partner 13 A BE CAREFUL NOT TO CLIP PROTECTION INTO THE EXCESS ROPE BACKUP BELAY SYSTEM FOR LEADING NEVER USE THE SILENT PARTNER WITHOUT A RELIABLE BACKUP BELAY SYSTEM One recommended backup system is to tie loop knots in the excess portion of the rope and attach them to your harness with separate locking carabiners See figure 8 End af rope tied to Backup knots clipped to harness i HTT To anchor Excess rope S 40 50 feet max between knots Figure 8 Backup belay system for leading 14 The features of the climb should dictate the positioning of the backup knots along the rope Consider what would happen if the Silent Partner were to fail during a fall and posi2. THIS MANUAL Put this manual in a safe place so that it will be available for future reference If you loan your Silent Partner to your friends loan them this manual too That way they will have access to the information they need to use the Silent Partner properly Additional manuals are available from Wren Industries KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING You cannot learn to solo climb by reading this manual If you are not already an experienced climber then you will need to get outside instruction before using the Silent Partner Unfortunately there are no good books on solo climbing techniques Before solo climbing seek out a qualified instructor and get hands on instruction If you find something in this manual confusing or unclear you can contact Wren Industries and we will try to clarify it for you We cannot however teach you to solo climb over the phone TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 WARNINGS Warnings General considerations for solo climbing 2 THE SILENT PARTNER SELF BELAY DEVICE How it works Anatomy Applications Limitations Attaching the Silent Partner to the rope Attaching the Silent Partner to a harness Silent Partner ground school 3 CLIMBING WITH THE SILENT PARTNER Leading Lead climbing setup Backup belay system for leading Preventing self feed and slack accumulation Top roping Top roping setup Backup belay system for top roping Falling Falling with the Silent Partner Releasing the Silent Partner after a fal
3. and causes difficult rope feeding When climbing with the Silent Partner avoid pulling or weighting both strands of rope at the same time 8 Feed the Silent Partner all the way to the un anchored end of the rope Notice that the Silent Partner can easily feed right off the end of the rope When climbing with the Silent Partner always tie into the end of the rope LEADING The Silent Partner was designed primarily for leading free climbs Its automatic feed keeps your hands free for climbing and the centrifugal locking mechanism will catch you even if you flip upside down during a fall These features should make it possible for you to confidently free climb routes that are moderately difficult for you However because roped solo climbing is more complicated climbing at your extreme limit may not be feasible Even with the Silent Partner climbs tend to feel about one number grade harder than climbing with a belayer Another factor to consider is that when you re out there alone the consequences of even a minor injury can be very serious In the interest of safety it is best to choose your climbing conservatively when using the Silent Partner LEADING WITH THE SILENT PARTNER Leading with the Silent Partner takes practice Undoubtedly you will experience some difficulties when you begin using it Poor rope feed rope tangles and forgetting to unclip backup knots are common problems As you gain experience these problems will s
4. long steep pitches the weight of the rope between the Silent Partner and the anchor can cause the rope to feed through the Silent Partner This situation can result in a dangerous accumulation of slack in the belay system To prevent this it is necessary to support the weight of the rope at some point on the pitch There are two common ways of doing this 1 Prusik method Figure 9 shows the rope being supported by a prusik knot clipped into a protection point This method is best since it does not cause an increase in fall factor Use small diameter cord such as a bootlace so that the prusik will break if loaded during a fall Figure 9 Prusik method of rope support 2 Figure eight method Figure 10 shows a figure eight knot tied in the lead rope clipped into a protection point This method has the advantage of not requiring any extra gear but it does increase the fall factor if you should fall above this point With both methods the point of protection supporting the rope must be capable of holding both an upward and downward pull 16 Figure 10 Figure eight method of rope support It is good practice to occasionally pull up on the lead rope to see if slack is accumulating at the anchor Slack accumulation can easily go unnoticed and increase the length of a fall Checking for slack is easy to do when clipping protection TOP ROPING The Silent Partner was designed primarily for leading However it also works quit
5. the free end of the rope enough to rotate the drum a slight amount This will release the locking mechanism figure 13 In some cases it may be necessary to loosen the clove hitch on the drum by hand to restore easy feeding As you climb back up to your last protection you can take in slack by manually pulling it through the Silent Partner 22 Figure 13 Releasing with weight Figure 14 Releasing with weight off rope on rope Note Drawings shown without backup belay system for clarity WEIGHT ON THE ROPE The Silent Partner can be releases with your weight on the rope by pulling up on the free end of the rope figure 14 Once it is released the Silent Partner will feed again Keep your hand as far from the device as possible to avoid pinching your skin in the device Also be ready to pass the rope around your hip to provide friction This technique will require some practice Once the Silent Partner is released you can lower yourself as needed See Self Lowering page 24 If you take a really severe fall the clove hitch on the Silent Partner may become very tight The easiest way to release it is with your weight on the rope After you release the locking mechanism bounce on the rope a little to get the clove hitch to slip As the clove hitch Slips it will loosen 23 SELF LOWERING The Silent Partner self belay device is not recommended for routine rappelling It does not provide much
6. this situation but if you left them at the anchor or at home you will be out of luck In general it is best to avoid falling Choose routes well within your ability that lend themselves to soloing Avoid routes with poor protection and natural hazards such as loose rock FALLING WITH THE SILENT PARTNER The Silent Partner s locking mechanism is sensitive to the rate at which the rope feeds The Silent Partner will lock anytime the rope feeds too fast This makes it capable of catching you whether you are upright upside down or head over heels 21 During a lead fall the Silent Partner will lock as soon as the rope becomes tight When top roping the Silent Partner may feed some as you Start to fall since it will take some time for you to pick up speed When you fall top roping do not grab the rope with your hands Doing so could cause rope burns The Silent Partner does not provide a dynamic belay The forces generated during a solo fall will be higher than if you were being belayed by a human Make sure your rope is in excellent condition and that your anchors and protection are bombproof RELEASING THE SILENT PARTNER AFTER A FALL There two methods for releasing the Silent Partner after a fall The first method is with your weight off the rope and the second is with your weight on the rope WEIGHT OFF THE ROPE Start climbing again to remove your weight from the rope Once your weight is off the rope pull on
7. ONLY BELAY SYSTEM It is necessary to provide a reliable back up belay system DO NOT USE THE SILENT PARTNER IN SUB FREEZING CONDITIONS Frozen water in the clutch could prevent the Silent Partner from locking during a fall DO NOT USE THE SILENT PARTNER ON MUDDY OR ICY ROPES Mud or ice could interfere with the cinching of the clove hitch and prevent the Silent Partner from catching a fall DO NOT USE THE SILENT PARTNER ON A STATIC ROPE The Silent Partner does not provide a dynamic belay As a result severe forces could be generated in a fall on a static rope DO NOT USE THE SILENT PARTNER AS A REMOTE BELAY DEVICE Always wear the Silent Partner on your harness when using it DO NOT USE THE SILENT PARTNER FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS It is for recreational rock climbing and mountaineering uses only ATTACHING THE SILENT PARTNER TO THE ROPE THE ONLY PROPER WAY TO ATTACH THE SILENT PARTNER TO THE ROPE IS WITH A CLOVE HITCH TIED AROUND THE DRUM FIGURE 1 Clove hitch _ tied on drum Figure 2 Attaching clove hitch to Silent Partner IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE ROPE LEAVES THE HOUSING AS SHOWN IN FIGURE 3 Figure 3 Correct Rope Orientation USE ONLY UIAA APPROVED DYNAMIC CLIMBING ROPES A FROM 9 8mm TO 11 mm WITH THE SILENT PARTNER A USE ONLY KERNMANTLE TYPE ROPES DO NOT USE ROPES OF TWISTED CONSTRUCTION Incorrect rope attachment is dangerous It caus
8. SILENT PARTNER USER S MANUAL Don t even think of using the Silent Partner without reading this manual first Manufactured by Wren Industries LTD 714 B Scarlet Drive Grand Junction CO 81505 Phone 970 254 8961 Fax 970 254 8962 info wrenindustries com Wren Industries LTD makes no express warranties concerning Silent Partner This product is soley for use in recreational climbing and mountaineering following the specific guidelines of the User s Manual The Silent Partner is protected by U S Patent Copyright 2000 Wren Industries All rights reserved INTRODUCTION READ THIS MANUAL This manual contains important information about the Silent Partner No matter what your level of solo experience you need to understand the information in this manual to use the Silent Partner correctly The Silent Partner is not difficult to use but proper use is not obvious just by looking at it This manual will show you how to set it up correctly for leading and top roping It will show you how to release the Silent Partner after a fall and use it to lower yourself This manual also explains the Silent Partner s intended uses and limitations This manual will point out some of the dangers and pitfalls unique to solo climbing Understanding these could help you avoid dangerous situations This manual will also provide information on how to care for your Silent Partner and explain what to do if you have a problem with it SAVE
9. e Silent Partner will feed freely at speeds typical of climbing During a fall it will lock up regardless of your body position The Silent Partner is released by pulling on the excess end of the rope It will function as a lowering device by simply passing the rope around your hip to provide friction SILENT PARTNER ANATOMY Attachment hole Rope retaining bars APPLICATIONS DO NOT USE THE SILENT PARTNER FOR APPLICATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED If you ever have any doubts about the suitability of the Silent Partner for a particular application don t use it The Silent Partner is for recreational rock climbing and mountaineering uses only The Silent Partner will provide in conjunction with a back up belay system a belay for leading and free or aid climbs The Silent Partner will provide in conjunction with a back up belay system a belay for top roping The Silent Partner will function as a self lowering device A NO MATTER WHAT THE APPLICATION THE SILENT PARTNER MUST BE SETUP CORRECTLY IN ORDER TO FUNCTION PROPERLY FOR EACH APPLICATION BEFORE USING THE SILENT PARTNER MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE CORRECT SETUP A LIMITATIONS A ALL CLIMBING GEAR HAS LIMITATIONS AND THE SILENT PARTNER IS NO EXCEPTION Using the Silent Partner for purposes for which it was not intended is dangerous The following are the Silent Partner s primary limitations DO NOT USE THE SILENT PARTNER AS THE
10. e well for top roping The Silent Partner will feed and lock in either direction along the rope allowing you to climb up or down at will This feature makes the Silent Partner well suited for doing laps when working out on short climbs or artificial climbing walls The Silent Partner can be used to lower yourself rappel without changing the setup When you fall or reach the end of the pitch you can easily lower yourself back to the beginning However not all climbs are well suited to solo top roping Climbs with much traversing large overhangs or which weave back and forth are not good choices for solo top roping For best results stick to climbs that go fairly straight up and follow a fairly straight line Also because of the nature of the setup for top roping and the speed required for the Silent Partner to lock up expect to fall a little further than you would when being belayed 17 TOP ROPING SETUP THE SILENT PARTNER MUST BE SETUP CORRECTLY TO FUNCTION PROPERLY Incorrect setup can be dangerous and or hinder perfor mance Make sure you understand the correct setup before using the Silent Partner Figure 11 shows the correct setup for top roping THE FOLLOWING FOUR POINTS ARE ESSENTIAL 1 A dynamic rope is anchored at the top of the climb 2 The Silent Partner is attached to the rope with a clove hitch and to the climber s harness with two locking carabiners see pages 6 and 8 3 The rope is anchored
11. es difficult rope feeding and may damage the Silent Partner in the event of a fall It does not matter which end of the rope goes to the anchor The Silent Partner will feed and lock to the rope in either direction The method of rope attachment is the same for both leading and top roping PROCEDURE 1 Open the housing by turning the side plates in opposite direc tions 2 Form a clove hitch in the rope and place it on the drum with one strand of rope on each side of the center guide ridge 3 Position the rope so that it will leave the housing as shown in Figure 3 4 Close the housing by re aligning the attachment holes ROPE PULL THE ANCHORED END TO MAKE SURE IT AFTER ATTACHING THOE SILENT PARTNER TO THE FEEDS AND LOCKS PROPERLY A ATTACHING THE SILENT PARTNER TO YOUR HARNESS WITH TWO LOCKING CARABINERS AS SHOWN IN ATTACH THE SILENT PARTNERO TO YOUR HARNESS FIGURE 4 A Two locking carabiners clipped to waist belt and leg loops Figure 4 Silent Partner correctly attached to harness 8 NEVER USE JUST ONE CARABINER BE SURE TO ATTACH BOTH CARABINERS TO A SECURE PART OF YOUR HARNESS ALWAYS USE A FULL SEAT HARNESS OR SWAMI BELT AND LEG LOOP COMBINATION Attach the Silent Partner to your harness after attaching the rope to the Silent Partner Use reliable locking carabiners and be sure to lock the gates Clip the carabiners into both the waist belt and leg loop strap of your harness If y
12. fficult when soloing Save yourself some trouble by clipping at waist level When clipping protection overhead first pull some rope through the Silent Partner by pulling downward Then pull and clip the rope as you normally would when climbing with a belayer Figuring out which strand of rope to clip into your protection can be confusing Being systematic about how you setup the Silent Partner and backup system will help reduce the confusion CHOOSE CLIMBS CAREFULLY Not all climbs lend themselves to roped solo climbing Climbs with long traverses large overhangs or features that tend to snag the rope will compound the difficulties of solo climbing THINK AHEAD Anticipating difficulties and dangers is the best way to avoid them Keep track of what is happening around you and with your belay system It takes all the fun out of climbing and may be dangerous to have a belay system foul up during a crux move or long runout 26 MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE The silent Partner self belay device was designed and built to last a long time and hold many falls It should require no routine mainte nance other than generally wiping it clean DO NOT TRY TO LUBRICATE ANY PART OF THE SILENT PARTNER It is a good idea however to routinely inspect the Silent Partner Check for bent cracked loose or missing parts See Silent Partner Anatomy page 6 Rotate the side plates and check for excessive looseness on the axle Spin the drum slo
13. friction and it will force you to rappel very slowly Whenever possible use a conventional rappel device for descending The Silent Partner does work for self lowering however and if you are using it for a belay it will be the most appropriate device to use for the following functions Lowering yourself after a fall Lowering yourself while top roping Executing a pendulum Lowering off and cleaning half pitch climbs To lower yourself with the Silent Partner first release the locking mechanism see page 22 then pass the free end of rope around your hip to provide extra friction See figure 15 Now rappel as usual but don t go too fast or the device will lock Figure 15 Self lowering Note Shown without backup belay system for clarity Pass rope over hip to provide friction 24 If you want the Silent Partner to lock up and hold you drop fast enough to cause it to lock If you allow the free end of the rope to pass rapidly through your hand the Silent Partner will lock up within a few feet The more suddenly you release the rope the quicker it will lock This process is a little un nerving at first You may want to experiment with this system while top roping with a separate backup belay HELPFUL TIPS It takes practice to become proficient at roped solo climbing The whole process is likely to seem very cumbersome at first As you gain experience roped solo climbing with the Silent Partner wi
14. l Self Lowering 4 APPENDICES Helpful tips Maintenance and service Technical Information ak BROW 0 11 12 14 16 17 18 20 21 21 22 24 A aii A CLIMBING IS DANGEROUS Rock climbing and mountaineering are potentially dangerous and hazardous Any person using climbing equipment is personally responsible for learning the proper techniques involved and assumes all risk and accepts full responsibility for any damages and injury including death resulting from its use Solo climbing is especially dangerous since it is more technical and requires a greater degree of self reliance than climbing with a partner If you are not willing to accept the risks inherent to climbing alone do not use the Silent Partner self belay device THE SILENT PARTNER DOES NOT MAKE SOLO CLIMBING SAFE INSTRUCTION IS REQUIRED If you are uncertain of a product s proper use and limitations get personal instruction from a qualified person well versed in all appro priate safety techniques This manual will not teach you how to climb roped solo It will show you how to integrate the Silent Partner self belay device into a solo climbing system but will not provide all of the information needed for roped solo climbing Solo climbing techniques should be learned through hands on instruction from a qualified instructor well versed in solo climbing techniques CORRECT USE IS REQUIRED Correct use is essential for proper functio
15. ll become much easier Below are a few tips to help keep things running smoothly ROPE FEED The type of rope used will affect the rope feed assistance The easiest feed is with a 10mm supple dry treated rope in fairly new condition The average 10 5 mm dry free climbing rope feeds quite well A stiff worn 11 mm rope does not feed very well The weight of a lot of excess rope hanging from the Silent Partner will hinder feed considerably Keep the length of rope between the Silent Partner and the backup knot attached to your harness as short as possible About 40 to 50 feet is the limit When leading keep the rope and the Silent Partner between your legs to reduce rope friction Avoid pulling on both strands of rope leaving the Silent Partner This action will tighten up the clove hitch and cause it to feed hard 25 BACKUP KNOTS Using extra large locking carabiners for your backup knots will make removing them easier than with standard size carabiners The clove hitch is a convenient choice for backup knots because it will become untied by itself when removed from a carabiner This makes it easy to release a backup knot with one hand while climbing Tying all of your backup knots and clipping them into separate carabiners on your harness before starting to climb is easier than trying to tie them in the middle of the pitch CLIPPING PROTECTION Pulling the rope up to clip protection is more di
16. n of the Silent Partner self belay device Be sure you understand the intended applications and limitations of the Silent Partner outlined in this manual before attempting to use the Silent Partner Again be sure you understand general roped solo climbing techniques not covered in this manual A qualified instructor can help The Silent Partner is intended for recreational rock climbing and mountaineering uses only GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SOLO CLIMBING ADVANCED TECHNIQUES Roped solo climbing requires different techniques than climbing with a partner It is generally more technical and a lot more work to climb solo Before attempting to solo climb make sure you understand the techniques involved Solo climbing requires a solid understanding of anchoring placing protection rappelling and using ascenders If you are not already an experienced and competent roped solo climber then seek out expert instruction before attempting to use the Silent Partner self belay device GREATER RISKS Roped solo climbing is more dangerous than climbing with a partner It requires a much greater degree of self reliance Even a minor injury while soloing can be very serious when there is no one around to help you Consider the consequences before venturing into a hazardous situation When solo climbing be conservative it is not a good time to push your limits GREATER REWARDS Despite the greater complexity and increased risk associated with s
17. olo roped solo climbing it does offer some advantages Most signif icantly it makes it possible to go climbing when a partner is not available It can also offer the greater sense of accomplishment of completing a climb by yourself or provide welcome relief from an annoying partner In general roped solo climbing is not for everyone but for those who take the time to learn how and accept its inherent risks roped solo climbing can be very rewarding THE SILENT PARTNER SELF BELAY DEVICE The Silent Partner was developed to fill the need for a solo device that would make roped solo free climbing easier The Silent Partner feeds automatically as you climb and its speed sensitive locking mechanism will catch even head first falls The Silent Partner is easily released under full body weight and it can be used to lower yourself as needed to recover from a fall HOW IT WORKS The Silent Partner is a speed actuated braking device It attaches to a climbing rope with a clove hitch and to your harness by way of two locking carabiners As you move away from the anchor light tension on the rope causes the clove hitch to slip This action allows you to move without having to feed out rope manually During a fall the rope feeds out quickly This increase in rope speed actuates a centrifugal clutch that causes the clove hitch to tighten and stop the rope from feeding Because it is sensitive to the speed at which rope feeds through it th
18. or weighted at the bottom of the climb with a small amount of slack 4 A backup belay system is provided In this case the backup system is a separate dynamic rope anchored at the top with loop knots tied at intervals see page 20 NEVER USE THE SILENT PARTNER WITHOUT A RELIABLE BACKUP BELAY SYSTEM As you climb the Silent Partner will pull against the bottom anchor and feed upward If you fall the Silent Partner will lock to the rope and the upper anchor will support you 18 Backup rope 1 Climbing rope anchored at top anchored at top 2 Silent Partne correctly setup 4 Backup belay system gy Climbing rope anchored or weighted at bottom Figure 11 Setup for top roping On steep routes the Silent Partner will lock quickly when you fall since you will pick up speed quickly On low angle routes it will take longer for you to pick up enough speed to activate the locking mechanism DO NOT GRAB THE ROPE WHEN FALLING A Grabbing the rope can lengthen your fall and burn your hands When you reach the end of the climb or fall you can lower yourself without changing the setup see Releasing the Silent Partner page 22 and Self Lowering page 24 19 BACKUP BELAY SYSTEM FOR TOP ROPING NEVER USE THE SILENT PARTNER WITHOUT A RELIABLE BACKUP BELAY SYSTEM The recommended backup system is a second rope anchored at the top of the climb with loop knots tied in it such that they will hang at intervals along
19. our harness uses a belay loop clip to the same parts that the loop goes around Don t clip to the belay loop Never attach the Silent Partner to a chest harness or swami belt without leg loops If you do the Silent Partner will end up in your face when you fall The method of attachment is the same for leading and for top roping SILENT PARTNER GROUND SCHOOL Before climbing with the Silent Partner you should learn to use it while you are still on the ground You can practice using the Silent Partner in your house or outside All you need is a climbing rope a Silent Partner a carabiner and a suitable anchor for the rope 1 Attach one end of the rope to a suitable anchor as you would when climbing 2 Attach the Silent Partner to the rope as shown on page 6 3 Clip a carabiner into the attachment holes This will serve as a handle 4 Pull the Silent Partner slowly along the rope as shown in 9 Figure 5 This action will show you how it feeds To anchor Figure 5 Feeding and locking the Silent Partner 5 Now give it a sharp quick tug This action will show you how it locks 6 To release the Silent Partner first remove the tension in the rope then pull the tail end as shown in Figure 6 The Silent Partner should now feed freely again Rope slack Figure 6 Releasing the Silent Partner 10 7 Notice that if you pull on both strands of rope leaving the Silent Partner it tightens up the clove hitch
20. the climb These knots are successively clipped and unclipped from locking carabiners on your harness as you move up the climb figure 12 Rope to Silent Partner Backup rope with loop knots Backup knot clipped to harness Backup rope not anchored at bottom Rope anchored at bottom Figure 12 Backup system for top roping 20 How many knots to tie and exactly where to locate them along the rope will depend on the features of the climb In general many knots closely spaced is safer than a few widely spaced This system is easy to use and provides the security of two completely independent belay systems FALLING Falling while roped solo climbing can be very serious When climbing solo you alone are responsible for recovering from the fall In most cases there will be no one nearby to help you Unless you are rescued getting back onto or off the route will be totally up to you If you are injured during a fall you could find yourself in a desperate situation You may be physically unable to get yourself off the climb Without a partner there to assist you or go for help a minor injury could become life threatening Even if you aren t hurt falling while solo climbing can get you into real trouble Consider the consequences of falling on an overhang or traverse high above the ground It may be impossible to climb back to the route and too far to lower yourself to safety Ascenders might help in
21. tion the backup knots accordingly Your backup system should be capable of preventing you from hitting things such as the ground a ledge a protruding flake etc Clipping the excess rope into your harness at regular intervals is essential for both security and for making the Silent Partner feed easily When not clipped into your harness the excess rope hanging on the Silent Partner will tighten up the clove hitch and cause excessive drag Forty to fifty feet of rope between the Silent Partner and a backup knot is about the limit A ALWAYS USE LOCKING CARABINERS TO ATTACH BACKUP KNOTS TO YOUR HARNESS ALWAYS TIE INTO THE END OF THE ROPE A If you don t tie into the end of the rope the Silent Partner could feed off the end It is good practice to setup at least two backup knots at a time That way if you have to release a knot at a difficult part of the climb and are unable to tie another one you will still have a backup knot clipped in In fact it is usually easier to setup all of your backup knots while still at the belay station Then all you have to do is release them as you move up the pitch Being systematic about your setup will reduce some of the difficulties of having so much gear clipped to your harness Arrange everything in order from right to left or left to right This will make it easier to tell which rope to clip to protection and which backup knot to release next 15 PREVENTING SELF FEED SLACK ACCUMULATION On
22. ubside Careful setup and rope management will eliminate feeding problems and rope tangles and unclipping backup knots will become a matter of habit See Helpful tips on page 25 for more hints on keeping things running smoothly 11 While you are learning to use the Silent Partner choose very easy climbs Any belay system problems you have will be much easier to solve on easy terrain As you gain experience you can progress to more difficult climbs Once you get the hang of it you will find that the Silent Partner opens up new possibilities for roped solo free climbing LEAD CLIMBING SETUP THE SILENT PARTNER MUST BE SETUP CORRECTLY TO FUNCTION PROPERLY CAN HINDER PERFORMANCE INCORRECT SETUP IS DANGEROUS AND A Figure 7 shows the basic setup for leading THE FOLLOWING FOUR POINTS ARE ESSENTIAL 1 Adynamic climbing rope is attached to an anchor that is secure when pulled in all directions 2 The Silent Partner self belay device is correctly attached to the rope with a clove hitch and to the climber s harness with two locking carabiners see pages 5 and 6 3 The end of the rope is tied into the harness 4 Abackup belay system is provided by at least one loop knot tied in the lead rope and attached to the harness with a locking carabiner 12 3 Rope tied to harness Two locking carabiners 4 Backup belay gt 2 Silent Partner system correctly setup Excess rope 1 Anchored end
23. wly to see if it turns smoothly and quietly Spin the drum quickly to see if the locking mechanism is working Look and listen for signs of the axle or clutch housing being contaminated by foreign matter Look at the black rubber seal between the drum and the clutch housing to see if it is still intact If the Silent Partner doesn t pass any of these tests don t use it If your Silent Partner locks u a lot when it is not supposed to it probably has an internal problem and will need to be repaired DO NOT USE A SILENT PARTNER THAT IS NOT IN GOOD WORKING ORDER If you do find a problem with your Silent Partner or just want us to check it out you may return it to Wren Industries for service If we find a problem related to materials or workmanship it will be mended at our expense If we fix a problem that is the result of abuse misuse or general wear and tear service and shipping charges will apply NEVER TAKE THE SILENT PARTNER APART A NEVER USE A SILENT PARTNER THAT HAS BEEN DISMANTLED OR MODIFIED TECHNICAL INFO Structural parts for the Silent Partner are machined from wrought aluminum and stainless steel stock with no cast or stamped parts After assembly each clutch is tested for proper activation speed We will be happy to answer any other technical questions you may have Just give us a call 27
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