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Therrin,
Yeah, years ago (seems like a different lifetime) I did enough sport climbing and Search & Rescue training to become pretty familiar with the gear and techniques. When I decided to start vertical exploring, my first instinct is to read everything I can find to get an understanding of current gear and techniques. As you pointed out, going off in a blind rush is a good way to waste money, and equally likely, get hurt.
With regard to harnesses, I don't think it's a "one size fits all" situation. You are certainly correct about the gear loops being convenient. After looking at a number of them, I decided on the GGG. The thing is that we both did our research and evaluated our needs before purchasing our equipment. Similarly I looked at the rope walker ascending system and a few others, but decided that I liked the simplicity of the frog system. It's not the "right" system, just the system I use.
You mean it's not?? 
When I was sport climbing we were fortunate to be in places where natural anchors were easy to find. The mines really concern me with their lack of reliable structure to tie off on. At first I thought about bolting, but mines like the Sultan are not in solid rock. It's alluvial & sedimentary and badly fractured by blasting. Even a epoxied "bolt" like the Petzl BatÃnox would not give me much comfort in these mines.
Anyway, I need to get running. Tomorrow is a work day for me.
Joanne
Yeah, years ago (seems like a different lifetime) I did enough sport climbing and Search & Rescue training to become pretty familiar with the gear and techniques. When I decided to start vertical exploring, my first instinct is to read everything I can find to get an understanding of current gear and techniques. As you pointed out, going off in a blind rush is a good way to waste money, and equally likely, get hurt.
With regard to harnesses, I don't think it's a "one size fits all" situation. You are certainly correct about the gear loops being convenient. After looking at a number of them, I decided on the GGG. The thing is that we both did our research and evaluated our needs before purchasing our equipment. Similarly I looked at the rope walker ascending system and a few others, but decided that I liked the simplicity of the frog system. It's not the "right" system, just the system I use.
... and the anchor as just some spot they throw a piece of webbing over and clip into without another thought.
When I was sport climbing we were fortunate to be in places where natural anchors were easy to find. The mines really concern me with their lack of reliable structure to tie off on. At first I thought about bolting, but mines like the Sultan are not in solid rock. It's alluvial & sedimentary and badly fractured by blasting. Even a epoxied "bolt" like the Petzl BatÃnox would not give me much comfort in these mines.Anyway, I need to get running. Tomorrow is a work day for me.
Joanne
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