SQWUREL

chit, chit, chit, chit, chit......
huh?
do you hear that?
is that a SQWUREL?

I'm listening...

I keep hearing about this spelling-challenged tree rat...

Is there finally a new litter?

Nope. It's a nut.

Sometimes you feel like a nut...sometimes you don't....

SQWUREL! An addictively fun rappel device with a serious technical bite.
Many of you have likely heard I have been working on a new rappel device called the SQWUREL. A handful of prototypes have been loaned to friends to test as their everyday drivers. The final version has a few changes as compared to the prototypes making it lighter, sleeker and a little smoother. Over two years of hard work and 60 versions later the SQWUREL is ready for release into the wild! Word on the street is that the Emperor loves it.

Along the way I got help from friends in and out of the community. A huge THANK YOU to those who helped in various ways like listening to my constant ramblings, helping me think through stuff, testing, sharing fabrication thoughts, legal advice, providing computer skills, sharing insights on how the industry works and other helpful morsels. In no particular order, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Jesse Patchett, Sam Ornelas, Clarence Valdez, Todd Rentchler, John Write, Tracy Kwan, Mike Cressman, Matt Williams, Abby Wines, Mike Schasch, Malia McIlvenna, Tim Dowling, Tom Jones, Roylnn Serati, Hank Moon and Matt Brejcha. THANK YOU!

Seeking Manufacture was a larger challenge than anticipated, but I am proud to say these bad boys are being made in Utah, keeping things close to canyon country. Manufacture is not cheap for us little guys with low volume, which unfortunately impacts the retail price. The SQWUREL is set to retail for $52.50. I know this is a bit higher than competing devices, but I feel the SQWUREL actually is that much better! Adjusting friction through multiple levels on the fly has literally changed the way I feel about rappelling and a few other activities in the canyon environment.

Also of note the BG-Gear store was recently set to offer free shipping on orders over $50.

If you want more information on the SQWUREL, head on over to www.BG-Gear.com to take a peek. There you will find the product listing as well as some extra information in the store sidebar.

I am excited to get this thing out there since I have been yammering about it for a long time now. Anyone who is going to Saddlefest this weekend and orders a SQWUREL via the web store, I will hand deliver it to you at the saddle this weekend. To get this to happen you must put a note in the comments field of the order on the web store. Tell me you will be at saddle fest and want me to bring it to you. A comment placed at the time of order will have a better chance of making this happen. A sideband email may be confusing and may not work out. I want to keep this process as clean and tidy as I can, so all orders for the SQWUREL will run through the web store. Don’t even ask me to bring you one and you will pay for it at the saddle.
Have fun out there
chit, chit, chit, chit……..
Luke

Woohoo! Ordered 2!

Make that two more!
Looks GREAT Luke!

Looks fun, can't wait till mine arrives.

I must admit, having only seen a few SQW-U-REL pics on the CC, I thought I had this thing figured out. Only after reading the white paper last night, did I realize I totally had it upside-down. I had the rope weave first, rather than last. (You gotta realize I view and measure most rap devices through "rack" colored glasses.)

Pretty sure I'm not going very far out on a limb here, but I'm willing to wager a sure bet that the ability to add friction, on the fly, and so easily, is going to be a HUGE hit for everyone that purchases and tries out this contraption. A great addition to the rap'n tool box. Very ingenious, very cool - can't wait to give it a test drive!

I've used it and agree, the ability to add friction is amazing. Super easy, it's a game changer.

Luke now gets a reprieve from my daily emails begging for one. Excited to try it. And hopeful that I can keep the wear reasonable.

Have to admit I was a bit dubious about being able to easily change up the friction by snapping the rope into the tail section. Works surprisingly easily and well. Smooth device.

I've only rapped on one from a tree limb a couple of times...but...I'm curious...what's the function of the ear?

Behemoth tab...too funny...

The "ear" makes it easier to get the brake rope(s) into the tail section? Perhaps also helps keep the brake rope from riding up the right side of the head and assists in locking off?

That there's my finest speculation (i don't have one yet). How'd you get one so quickly, Beady? Or was that a proto you used?

What's exciting to me is the fine degree of descent control afforded by the SQWUREL, and the ease of obtaining it. The rack remains the descent-control king, but SQWUREL's probably as good as it gets w/o moving parts.

True dat.

I believe, however, won't know for sure until in-hand (and I can add and subtract bars on a rack with the best of them), but it appears that Luke has taken friction math to an ultra-easy level.

I assume, as with most of the rappel devices, that I can flip it over & use it? I'm still left-handed.

BBQ night...one of the usual thingy bringy nights. SLC kids have all the nice toys...ha ha. Probably a proto but it looked really close to the current production model.

Flip 'er over for left hand methinks. Easy money.

From the SQWUREL INSTRUCTIONS