I think that's a really popular idea here in North america - rapping (etc) on your lead rope plus cord (rock, alpine, everything). Saves HEAPS of weight and money on a rope that is complete overkill for what you're doing with it.
I know what you mean about confined abseils, Neil. On a route in NZ I had a crampon collapse and was confied to 25m raps instead of soloing down. Not as short as yours, but super frustrating all the same (especially when being shot at by Mach 1 shist all the way) |