Do you munter?

[RickVincent]

Canyoneers....Do you use a munter hitch or do you prefer a belay device? I'm not convinced that a belay device, such as figure 8, provides for a smoother or safer rap. Do you think one method is better than the other. I'm sure the companies who make belay devices, would prefer you buy their products.

[oceanwithin]

Always with a rappel device. They give you better options for adding friction, plus I would think a munter wears out a rope more quickly. Sure a munter will get you down, but I think they are probably best to use as a backup if you drop your device and no one else in your group has an extra (which everyone, including yourself, should have!). In all the canyoneering I've done, I have never once used a munter and have never seen anyone use one either.

There are rappel devices that give you a much smoother ride than an ATC though. The Hydrobot and Pirana both rock.

[toddak]

Belay device. Like Kelli says, a munter is good to know as a backup, but I've never had to use one in real life. Haven't used the hydrobot or pirana either, I tend to like to keep it as light, simple and idiot-proof as possible. Lately I've been using the Black Diamond ATC-XP device with the ridged grooves for extra friction, works nicely even on smaller diameter ropes and free-hanging rappels.

Then of course there's always the dulfersitz, when things go totally hairball, disaster is approaching and you're completely out of options!

[azbackpackr]

I've been taught all those things, plus swiss seat and rappelling without any hardware--where you just wrap the rope around yourself a certain way, but I would have to practice them every day for three months in my living room to remember them, and then a year later, I'd have forgotten again, unless I kept practicing. I wouldn't be able to remember it when it was needed, otherwise. Anyway, I think maybe I have quit climbing for this lifetime.

[nonot]

Munter is good to know for backup purposes, but it is hell on ropes. As expensive as ropes are, you don't want to prematurely shorten its life. I prefer a basic figure 8, I find the ATCs have too much friction for me.

[RickVincent]

My figure 8 gets the most use...seems to make for a smooth and controlled rap. Looks like consensus is that munter hitch is a good back-up plan to keep in your bag of bail-out tricks.

[RedRoxx44]

Pirahna or if SRT which is mostly what I do or did I like my Petzel stop. If dropping an old mine shaft or cave where I can't see bottom and new territory I'll wear my chest harness that I have a croll on for a little more security and if I must do an on rope reversal of direction. I also have a mini rack it's ok but I like the others better.