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Blue Ice Alpine Runner

Original Post
Will M · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2016 · Points: 215

Anybody use these yet? I picked one up (90cm) with the intention of using it as both a tether & extension while rapping. I know there are other versions out there (rabbit) but I though the continuous loop design like a sling was interesting.

Jordan Day · · Highland, UT · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 3

looks like an even better version of the rabbit runner!

Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 441

I have a couple.  

Use one as a rabbit runner, connected on one end to a DMM revolver and on the other end to a lightweight locker.  It's my go-to sling for my first placement off the belay.  

I use my other one as a sling/neck-strap for my camera.  Cut resistant, fat enough to be comfortable around my neck/shoulder.  Could be used as an emergency climbing sling if needed. 

DC Swamp Dweller · · DC · Joined Jul 2018 · Points: 0

Use them to extend placements, they are much easier and less messy than alpine draws. They are more like an open sling than a rabbit ear in design. 

Mitch L · · Seattle, WA · Joined Feb 2020 · Points: 0

These things are pretty sweet, got a couple grey 55 and a red 110cm

Using grey as alpine draws, the bulk is similar to a normal alpine draw but with less strands, which is nice. They felt a bit stiff at first but got more supple after a bit if use. I wouldn’t base an entire rack around them as slings can do other things like wrap a horn, but so far I like using them

Will M · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2016 · Points: 215

Circling back to this as I've had a bit of experience with now. Generally I've become quite fond of these little things. I just have the 90cm and have been using it a ton for belay extensions/tethers for rapping as well as the occasional sport anchor.

My only minor complaint is that the material is supple enough that with hard knots, it's a bit annoying to untie when they've been loaded, unlike the Edelrid aramid runners. However, I've just start girthing them to my harness and using a clove mid sling if I need a long tether. Could be convinced to grab a longer one as well. 

Tjaard Breeuwer · · Duluth, MN · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 16
Will M wrote:

My only minor complaint is that the material is supple enough that with hard knots, it's a bit annoying to untie when they've been loaded, unlike the Edelrid aramid runners. However, I've just start girthing them to my harness and using a clove mid sling if I need a long tether. Could be convinced to grab a longer one as well. 

I was wondering about that. I had hoped that they would be easier to untie than knots in regular dyneema webbing slings (which isn’t say much, those are hard).

Besides alpine draws, the other place I thought the ‘less strands’ would be nice would be for a “quad” anchor. 

Anyone try that?

Will M · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2016 · Points: 215
Tjaard Breeuwer wrote:

I was wondering about that. I had hoped that they would be easier to untie than knots in regular dyneema webbing slings (which isn’t say much, those are hard).

Besides alpine draws, the other place I thought the ‘less strands’ would be nice would be for a “quad” anchor. 

Anyone try that?

Works quite well as a Quad sub.

aikibujin · · Castle Rock, CO · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 300
Will M wrote:

I've just start girthing them to my harness and using a clove mid sling if I need a long tether.

Blue Ice shows a nifty way of tying it to your harness with a bowline. More comfy than a girth hitch since it doesn't cinch down on the tie-in points.

Tjaard Breeuwer · · Duluth, MN · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 16
Jordan Day wrote:

looks like an even better version of the rabbit runner!

Not really. It’s actually sort of the opposite.
Basically it’s a regular sling/runner, sewn shut in the middle. A rabbit runner is a normal sling, cut open. half the strength and weight of a normal sling. Basically, once the ends are clipped together it’s identical to a normal sling. So, the benefit of a rabbit runner is more flexibility.

These are identical to a normal sling in strength and weight. So, the drawback is lack of flexibility (you can not do anything with these that you can’t do with a normal sling). The benefit is easier handling in situations where you are clipping the two ends of a sling (which is the vast majority), but loosing out on the option to drape it over something.

a beach · · northeast · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 456

I do like then a lot, but i have managed to pull and unclip in a way that basically ties a weird knot in the thing and takes two hands to undo. I think it’s user error, but still. Overall I like them, I have a couple.

Brandon R · · CA · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 194

I have a 35cm, 55cm, and 90cm. Some things I like: The polyester sheath protects the dyneema core from UV and abrasion, probably extending their lifespan significantly compared to regular dyneema slings. I suspect that knot strength reduction is also less comparatively. The sewn loops reduce the chances of looking down to find a nose-hooked or cross-loaded carabiner. Less tangle prone. On the downside, they're not as versatile/easy for slinging knobs, trees, etc. Like a beach says, occasionally when extending they get bound into a hitch of some sort... haven't bothered to figure out why yet.  

https://us.blueice.com/products/alpine-runner

Brocky · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 0

The weirdness might be from the way they are made, a continuous series of loops which need to equalize after being contorted.

Dave the Climber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2023 · Points: 0

I reckon these are brilliant. "Gamechanger" is probably a too strong description, but it is nice to see a new concept in this area. These runners are just as light as thin 8mm slings but a lot more robust and more streamlined. If using them as "trad" draws, you just have to feed/clip the runner in the correct way to avoid the "knot tying" issue. ie After feeding one carabiner through the other carabiner to build the trad draw, you just have to then clip into the loop directly without crossing behind the loop, if that makes sense. You know you have it right because you can just shed a loop from either carabiner when extending it. If I get a chance, Ill post a picture to better demonstrate this.

Brandon R · · CA · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 194

For those into these kinds of anchors, the sheath should eliminate the slipping problems that regular dyneema slings have. Haven’t seen any tests on that though. 

Steve McGee · · Sandpoint, ID · Joined Aug 2021 · Points: 795

I'm not a fan. It's bulky and the loops are not a good size.

I want the design of the Mammut Alpine Trad Sling (which I love) but in a 60cm length:

  • Tight loop on one end to hold the clipping biner steady
  • Wide loop on the other hand - for easy girth hitch, easy clipping to a different biner, multiple biners, etc
  • Narrow and low-profile

I've asked one manufacturer to make me  what I want, but they don't do custom orders (they resling cams, though...). The guy said the strength would be lower...

So, why is the Alpine Trad Sling OK? Why are the many quickdraws with the same configuration OK?
How strong does it need to be?

I cannot understand how an open loop, with forces pulling in line against the bar tacks, is any different than an equivalent of two loops with forces pulling in line to the bar tacks.

rgold · · Poughkeepsie, NY · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 526
Steve McGee wrote:

I cannot understand how an open loop, with forces pulling in line against the bar tacks, is any different than an equivalent of two loops with forces pulling in line to the bar tacks.

In an open loop, each strand takes half the load and the bar tacks are only on one of the two strands so they get half the load.  With a loop at each end and the sling consisting of a single strand, whatever tension the load imparts to the sling will be experienced by both bar tacks.

Brocky · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 0

Maybe something spliced would work, a loop, or  one of the eyes on the hitch cord could be bigger?

Bruno Schull · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 0

@ Brocky--I see the picture you posted of the smaller white length.  Are you showing that as a rappel bach up or a friction hitch? 

How does the sheath grab on 8-9mm single rope, or on 6mm pull cord?

How do you rack that little sling on the biner?

Bruno Schull · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 0

Also, just a general comment, if anybody watches the movie on the link above, the representative does remind people that they are made of "ultra static cord and should not be used as a belay lanyard."  I think they are rerrering to using the slings as a PAS.  Of course, people will use them that way, and they may be fine for that application.  But it does go against the manufacturer's intent, for whatever that's worth.

Brocky · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 0
Bruno Schull wrote:

@ Brocky--I see the picture you posted of the smaller white length.  Are you showing that as a rappel bach up or a friction hitch? 

How does the sheath grab on 8-9mm single rope, or on 6mm pull cord?

How do you rack that little sling on the biner?

Could use it for either, grabs very good, the small loops inside allow it to wrap around smaller diameters.  It needs five wraps to grab reliably, the single eye as pictured, with an additional wrap worked the best on PUR.

It’s not very long, probably just clip one eye.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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