Info Sheet

In order to more fully enjoy your experience at TCC, please read through this and all other accompanying documents and links (click here for a pdf version). If you have any questions please contact the MNTCC Committee, we are here to help. We want you to… BE SAFE, HAVE FUN, EXPAND YOUR NETWORK and LEARN SOMETHING NEW!

Date: May 18-20, 2018
Location: 1227 Montreal Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102

Please note that all competitors MUST attend the event walkthrough and gear inspection on Friday afternoon. Plan your work schedule accordingly!

The following statements offer additional clarification for your benefit:

Gear inspection will take place immediately following the event walkthrough on Friday.

Only check the items you wish to use for the five preliminary events (throwlines do not need to be inspected). Those who qualify for the Master’s Challenge will have the opportunity to check further equipment.

Fill out your gear inspection forms with as much information as possible prior to Friday. This will make you happy, the technicians happy, and make the process flow more quickly.

Please thoroughly inspect and research your gear well in advance of the TCC weekend. This will give you time to remedy any issues or purchase replacements if necessary.

You may use manufacturer-specified replacement parts ONLY. We will not accept modified equipment. (e.g. harness bridges)

If you have ANY doubts about the acceptability of your equipment, replace it prior to Friday or bring extras in the event it does not pass inspection.

If you have ANY doubts about the acceptability of a certain technique, knot, hitch, configuration, etc. please contact the TCC Committee prior to gear check on Friday. Unorthodox and/or unfamiliar configurations may be disallowed. Be prepared with alternatives.

DO NOT USE GRAPHITE POWDER IN YOUR CARABINERS! Graphite builds up in the gate mechanism and creates a sticky paste that is very difficult to remove. You will be a happier person if you remove graphite from your life. Please refer to: Inspection and Maintenance of Carabiner Gate Mechanisms.

We will be enforcing manufacturer’s stated service life on textiles (harnesses, ropes, hitch cord, etc). Please consult your user instructions, seek info on manufacturer’s websites, ask friends… ask us! (e.g. the treeMOTION harness has a maximum lifespan of 8 years from date of manufacture. However, it must be removed from service 5 years from date of first use. Petzl Sequoia has a lifespan of 10 years from date of manufacture with no stated lifespan from first use.) There are many other examples… please research for yourself. We will do our best to be reasonable and flexible regarding this, but if your gear is over the stated timeline, and looks rough and worn, we will most likely not allow it in the TCC.

A minimum of 3 wraps (6 coil) prusik, or equivalent, is required for foot locking or inline anchors (Aerial Rescue, Master’s Challenge).

A minimum of 3 wraps is required at the top of a V.T. style friction hitch. You must demonstrate the proper function of all hitches and rope grabs.

Friction hitches that move along a rope while supporting the climber must be manufactured of heat-resistant material. Pure Polyester hitch cord such as Tenex will not be allowed as friction hitch cord. An exception to this would be footlock prusiks.

Snap hooks on climbing lines and positioning lanyards are generally disallowed at TCC’s. Please review the ISA’s Advisories page for more information.

Knots in cordage must have tail lengths at least 5 times the diameter of the rope. For example: If you are tieing scaffold knots (double fisherman’s) in 8mm hitch cord, the tails must be 40mm long. Knots in 1/2” rope require 2 1/2” tails. Dig it?

WORK CLIMB

Minimum rope length for work climb is 120’ (60’ for stationary rope techniques).

An approved stopper knot is required at the end of all climbing lines. A splice may also be acceptable as a stopper.

AERIAL RESCUE

Competitors are not allowed to place any equipment above the dummy’s friction hitch for the purpose of releasing the hitch. You must manually manipulate the hitch.

An approved stopper knot or is required at the end of all climbing lines. A splice may also be acceptable as a stopper.