I know a partner I occasionally climb with uses cloves on every piece, without equalization. Not my thing, but I don't have a problem with it. He values the adjustability.

Without equalization, for real? That really doesn't fit the SRENE criteria. What are they using to fashion the anchor then, cordelette, equalette, slings, other?

First thing first. How bombers are you pros? If your gear are bomber, then it doesn't matter what "reasonable" configurations you use. I normally use a tree for anchor. If I use pros, then I almost always use three pieces, then cordelette them together with a figure 8 on a bight for power point. I belay directly off the anchor.

Any other ideas I should be considering beyond the default sliding x?

Reading the recent discussion of the double figure-8 anchor over on the "trad" board got me thinking about anchors for the first time in a couple years. I don't do a lot of hard climbing (read: none). Almost all of my climbing is in the mountains, or easy stuff at the crag because I suck and/or am lazy.

For two piece anchors, I almost always default to a sliding x configuration, usually without stopper knots. Quick, easy, etc. Clip in with a figure 8 on a bight/bite (whatever), belay directly off the harness if there's a ledge/big stance or from harness through an anchor redirect if there's not. Depends a bit though. Don't usually use an autoblock.

For three pieces, I usually do a sliding x on the two closest together, with a second fig 8 on a bight on the third, backup piece. I will occasionally fashion a cordelette, but rarely these days.

I've used the double fig. 8 as well, but my hands just seem to naturally do the sliding x, without thinking too much about it.

Some recent reading I've done argues against the sliding x in principle, which has invited me to think further about my anchor systems. I still like it for quick alpine anchors, but want to think a bit more about other options.

My question is.....what are other people using in the mountains? I know a partner I occasionally climb with uses cloves on every piece, without equalization. Not my thing, but I don't have a problem with it. He values the adjustability.

Anything else out there that people use relatively regularly (not oddball, once-upon-a-time stuff)?

One fast technique i've used for years on two solid pieces is a doubled-up clove hitch as the master point. Easy to equalize, non-extending, timely and all that other stuff. It works with all materials (cord, 1"tub, skinny slings). It actually made it into the technique portion of Petzl's catalog this year too!

For 3 points, I use either an overhand in the legs or a clove hitch on the piece of a really long leg. Always adding a twist in the master point.

As such, GOOD ENOUGH is often BEST.

My anchor will be suited for the task at hand.

I get the feeling that you have something valuable to offer, but without greater elaboration or pictures, your post is completely incomprehensible.

Jay

...
From this setup, adjust the clove hitches so there is an ample supply of slack between the two hitches (instead of adjusting them to have tension between them).

Clip a biner to this slack and call it a masterpoint.

If you prefer a bit more redundancy, tie your favorite knot (overhand, fig-8, BHK, etc.) in the middle of this slack, clip a biner to it, and call that the masterpoint.

"a bit more redundancy"? Are you trolling?
Clipping directly to the slack is even worse than a one piece anchor, since that would fail if any piece blows.

Clove-clove-fig8-biner-done is a quick setup I'm totally calm with as long as both pieces are reasonably bomber.

Cool! Another anchor wank. I wanna play!

i'll make sure i watch my word choice more closely next time around.

Hehe, no problem. Couldn't really figure out if you were serious or not. Just to make sure, do you really have a problem with two cloves and a fig 8 on the rope, assuming that the pieces are something like ice screws or bolts? Swapping leads on ice, thats probably my first hand solution.

i don't really have a problem with inline clove hitches, especially on easier terrain. if the pieces are bomber then i'm not super concerned. the only reason i actually posted anything was to attempt to clarify the setup that jt512 was asking about. i think both inline cloves and the setup i drew up are fine in the right situations.

as with everything in climbing, it's all situational.

Not sure if this is exactly what creemore was talking about...

Place two pieces. Clove hitch your end of the rope to the first piece. Then clove hitch the second piece behind that. This is the unequalized, inline clove hitches that totally freaks out some, and others are totally comfortable with.

From this setup, adjust the clove hitches so there is an ample supply of slack between the two hitches (instead of adjusting them to have tension between them).

Clip a biner to this slack and call it a masterpoint.

If you prefer a bit more redundancy, tie your favorite knot (overhand, fig-8, BHK, etc.) in the middle of this slack, clip a biner to it, and call that the masterpoint.

If you would like to be tethered to more than one piece of the anchor, use the backside of the rope (the second's side) and clove hitch it to your belay loop. Alternately, use a 2 or 4 foot sling girth hitched you your harness and clipped to the second piece.

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He puts a third clove hitch where you have "your favorite knot". It's fast and easy to equalize and untie and takes up virtually no rope/webbing. it's even faster on bolts... which is why it made it into the Petzl Mag. They were doing a piece on Verdon.

Clip draws or lockers to two bolts, put a long sling between them, and clove hitch a locker to the middle of the sling.