I see what ya mean Dave.That's what I have been doing for a few years now.It's a prusic knot that atttaches to your harness teather ,and it slides up and down the fall line.I actualy Descend and climb with that system(homemade)but it is somewhat hard to do.That's why I am thinking of trying the retractable type.The chippawa ladder sections are nice but they are really pricey.