Trossystemet

Trossystemet, or the rope system, is a concept used in rope-based work and mountaineering to describe a coordinated arrangement of ropes, anchors, and devices that allows safe movement, load transfer and rescue operations. It is used in climbing, rope access work, rescue services and entertainment rigging, where a controlled and redundant method to move or secure a person or object is required.

A typical trossystemet consists of a main line and one or more secondary lines, attached to anchors via carabiners, slings or pulleys. Anchors can be natural or engineered and must be selected, arranged and tested for strength and redundancy. The system also includes belay devices, progress-capture or descent devices, harnesses, lanyards, and appropriate knots. Depending on the task, the system may be a simple belay setup or a complex multi-point anchor with redundancy and load-sharing between points.

The choice of rope type (static or dynamic), rope diameter, length, and the specific arrangement depend on factors such as load, height, terrain, and safety requirements. Proper training in knot-tying, device operation, inspection, and risk assessment is essential, as is ongoing maintenance of gear and regular rehearsals of rescue procedures. While the term is common in Scandinavian languages, the underlying principles are widely used in climbing and working-at-height communities worldwide.