The "DirtBag" is an awesome addition to any serious canyoneers toolbag. It has been tried and tested in many canyons by some of the top canyoneers around. Hundreds of raps done in both the "taco" (folded) and "tostada"(flat) configurations.

Obviously, it should always be backed up. This can be as simple as someone standing on the rap rope or on the loaded "DirtBag" itself, or a full meat-anchor backup.

Positioning is important as well, requiring careful checking of possible catch points on the retrieval pull.

I have experimented with making the pull even easier, simply by threading the pull rope through a garden hose, which is positioned on the slope or edge at the spot with the highest rock friction.This greatly reduces the pull required, so a 8ft or so piece of hose in a backpack is no big deal! Simply tie an adjustable piece of thin pullcord to the "DirtBag" and then thread it through a hole drilled in the closest end of the hose to keep it from moving on the pull.