Ropes That Rescue: Arizona Vortex Rigging Class

Reed Thorne has been involved in the teaching of techniques related to the 'vertical realm' since the early 1970s. His first activities dealing with rope were with the Sierra Club, Angeles Chapter (Orange County Group), where Reed became a Hundred Peak, Rock Climbing and Mountaineering Section leader. Eventually, he moved into rope rescue instruction under nationally-recognized U.S. National Park SAR ranger, Butch Farabee, at the Grand Canyon.

Reed has been involved in the design and testing of technical rope rescue equipment, including the Arizona Vortex we worked with during this class. And he holds Technician Level certification with the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT), where he practices rope access procedures often on his back yard training and testing tower. His services have been required on several dams and bridges throughout the Southwest including work on Hoover Dam and also in training Arizona Department of Transportation structural engineers during the construction of Navajo Bridge over Marble Canyon in 1995

Read more about Reed Thorne and the rest of the Ropes That Rescue staff and instructors.

The dynamometer, a device that measures force, read over 900 pounds as Del approached horizontal, which was nearly impossible for his legs and back to maintain.

Some of the rigging, including the main line, is attached to the "jin pole" in the back. (You might be able to see the red rigging "head" on the top of the pole, behind the Vortex.)

There's a second Vortex multipod set up to the left of the photo, as a lazy-leg A-frame.

For information and a schedule of classes, visit the
Ropes That Rescue
website.

Ropes That Rescue has course venues in:
Sedona , Arizona
Michigan
Southern Illinois
Wenatchee, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Roseville, California
Southern Utah
Australia