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Case study comparing solutions for short lifts

Case study comparing improvised versus planned solutions for short lifts
Adolfo Isassi, Oct 24, 2025

(Originally published in Instructional Canyoneering Resource FB Dec 2023)

(Scenario: Rappel rope is short, and rigged with a static block. Solution: Biner block needs to be unloaded with a short lift, removed, and replaced with a releasable system. A short lift was improvised with a cordelette and a stitch plate.
Multipurpose
There are two factors at the core of canyoneering, that are a great incentive to minimize the amount of gear that we carry into canyons:

  • Long approaches and/or exits
  • Moving water, were excess gear makes swimming difficult, and dangerous.

Because of this, there is continuous effort in canyoneering practices for a multipurpose approach for gear: How to assemble a tool/solution with gear that we already have, and avoid carrying an extra specialized tool.

But, specialized tools exist for several reasons. They are more efficient, less prone to mistakes and they are easier to teach.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at a comparison of Improvised (multipurpose tools) vs. Planned (specialized tools).

Case Study: Short Lift
Across ropework disciplines, there seems to be this common task: Short lift

Usually it’s used to transition from a compromised rope system to secondary/rescue rope system.

For this reason, you can find a range of solutions and techniques to perform Short Lift(s).

Planed: Dedicated specialized gear
One side of the spectrum, the pre-assembled haul systems, like the the Petzl Jag, Sterling Mini Hauler, etc.

Pros:

  • Super efficient
  • No assembly required
  • No special maneuvers or dexterity required.

Cons:

  • Heavy
  • Not multipurpose for canyoneering
  • Requires dexterity to release and lower

Petzl Jag:


Improvised: Assemble your own 4:1 / 5:1 Kit
If you take a close look at the Petzl Jag, you may recognize some of its components. Like the Petzl Micro traxion. Chances are that as a canyoneer, you may already have one or some similar PCD (Progress Capture Device). So, all it takes is some Mechanical Advantage (MA) knowledge, plus understanding gear specs, and you can assemble your own kit. In this case, you can assemble a 4:1/5:1 kit as long as you use a cord that has enough load rating and is ok with the specs for your PCD of choice.

Pros:

  • Light
  • Multipurpose gear

Cons:

  • Requires MA know-how
  • Requires assembly
  • No MA efficient unless you carry high efficiency pulleys
  • Requires dexterity to release and lower

Blue Water CRT 7mm Canyon Cordelette kit


Watch: Video of Canyon Cordelette

Improvised: Reverse Mariners Hitch
The mariners hitch and radium hitch are Load Releasing mechanisms that we can assemble with light basic gear. 2 HMS carabiners and cord or slings. The way is widely used is in its retracted state, and untied to release a load. But in some canyoneering rescue tasks, we can use in reverse mode to create MA and perform very short lifts. Usually we can easily do 2:1/3:1, and with enough care 4:1/5:1

Pros:

  • Lightest
  • Multipurpose gear
  • Very easy to release and lower

Cons:

  • Requires MA know-how
  • Requires assembly
  • Requires the most dexterity to retain gain and lock off
  • Not MA efficient

Reverse Mariners Hitch

These are just 3 examples to cover the range of Dedicated to Improvised solutions for a specific task. If you moved from passenger or autonomous canyoneer to Leader or Guide, take a look at your rescue kit and see where does it fall in this spectrum.

Thanks to Brent Roth for his white paper on this subject.

Table by Brent Roth:


Full post on the origin of that table here

Overview Knowledge base Technical terms for canyoning and caving : Go back

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