Port-a-Wrap Setup

Step by step

1. Step 1

   Choke a rated sling around the base of the stem, low and tight, and hang the device on it.

2. Step 2

   Position the device so the line comes off the block and enters the device with a straight lead.

3. Step 3

   Take wraps around the barrel — start with two to three for light pieces, more for heavy.

   Every wrap roughly multiplies the holding friction. Add wraps before the piece is cut, not during.

4. Step 4

   Lead the tail off to the side, out of the drop zone, and take a firm two-handed grip.

5. Step 5

   To hold a load, add a wrap and lock off on the horns. To ease it, feed slowly with the tail low.

6. Step 6

   Communicate with the climber before every cut: piece size, wrap count, and who calls the drop.

Cautions

• Never stand inside the bight of a running line or under the piece.
• Gloves on. Lines run hot and fast under load.
• Do not let the line lie across the sling or itself — line-on-line friction melts covers.
• Snubbing a falling piece hard shock-loads the block, the sling and the tree.

On-site checklist