A vertical spool is a device where the rope follows a helical path and the axis of the helix is vertical. There are a number of other devices that also fit this description (various carabiner wraps and certain hooks come to mind), so I rather arbitrarily decided that if the diameter of the helix was 20 mm. or more, the device would be discussed here. I also included the Miller descenders because of their similarity to the Sky Genie and Frost Rope Rider (not to be confused with the Forrest Rope Riders, which are horizontal spools).
Some large-diameter (say, 8 to 10 rope diameters) vertical spools can provide smooth control that is similar to the horizontal spools, but they contribute more rope twisting without providing any compensatory benefit. Others are simply horrid. The small-diameter spools function more like Patten's Hook, and can cause severe spinning under adverse conditions.
| ID | Device | Description | Acquired | Weight | Height | Width | Thickness | Std. volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 421 | Don Mulholland | Galv. Pipe, top & bottom guide rods, side rope guides | Don Shofstall, 1990 | 880 | 190 | 83 | 56 | 883 |
| 1119 | Elk River | Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube | Franklin T Finley, 2007 | 701 | 240 | 24 | 24 | 137 |
| 417 | Forrest Escape Line | Al spool, slotted end plates, eye bolt, for 4 mm. Kevlar cord, emergency use only | John E. Weinel, Inc., 1985 | 264 | 118 | 64 | 52 | 393 |
| 558 |
Frost Rope-rider I
|
Al, vertical rod /w V slot, spring loaded slot engager, cover tube /w knurled grip, for 8 mm. rope. | International Safety Equipment, 1999 | 258 | 178 | 43 | 42 | 321 |
| 429 | Frost Rope-rider
II |
Al, vertical rod /w V slot, spring loaded slot engager, sheet metal cover tube /w abrasive grip | John E. Weinel, Inc., 1992 | 743 | 248 | 59 | 57 | 834 |
| 466 | Miller Descent Device (Large) | Forged Al rod /w rope grooves & end eyes (one /w horn), sheet metal cover tube | Safety Supply, 1991 | 771 | 263 | 82 | 60 | 1294 |
| 465 | Miller Descent Device (Small) | Forged Al rod /w rope grooves & end eyes (one /w horn), sheet metal cover tube | Rob Beightol, 1991 | 508 | 224 | 71 | 52 | 827 |
| 1067 | Mio Mechanical MIO-D | Forged Al rod /w end discs, lever actuated brake cam, overspeed control, sheet metal cover tube, clevis eye | CWC Supply, 2007 | 1998 | 305 | 151 | 87 | 3996 |
| 1056 | Mio Mechanical MIO-D2 | Forged Al rod /w end discs, lever actuated brake cam, sheet metal cover tube, clevis eye | CWC Supply, 2007 | 1230 | 216 | 147 | 98 | 3123 |
| 425 | Rappel-e- Stein | Al tube, carabiner welded to side, welded bottom | Robert W. Storrick, 1979 | 948 | 150 | 140 | 89 | 1869 |
| 930 | Sky Genie | Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube | Peter La Plante, 2003 | 358 | 225 | 53 | 52 | 621 |
| 467 | Sky Genie Model D | Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube | John E. Weinel, Inc., 1989 | 555 | 246 | 66 | 62 | 1007 |
| 426 | Spiral Brake | Galv pipe /w steel carabiners bolted to each end | Dr. Gary D. Storrick, 1991 | 1387 | 360 | 70 | 70 | 1764 |
| 428 | Vertical
Spool |
Galv. Pipe /w two welded guide bollards | Dr. Gary D. Storrick, 1991 | 1298 | 254 | 87 | 64 | 1414 |
