[bofh69]

I didn't read the blog post as a step by step instruction, more like some commercial for the bag.

I've done quite a few rapells and sometimes keep my rope in my closed rope bag on my back (with compression cords in place) if there is a large risk of the rope getting entangled with the environment, I'm on a bridge over a road or I'm on a cliff above salt water.

I use a french prusik on the rope below the ATC and pull the rope out of the bag at the same time as I pull down the prusik. Often the rope gets slightly stuck, a harder pull on the rope has freed it for me every time and I never take care when putting the rope in the bag so I would think a proper packing of the rope would decrease that risk a lot. Should the rope get really stuck I would simply take off the bag and open it up while hanging in the harness. Not a big deal at all.

[snowwrestler]

Have you tried clipping your bag below you, like on a sling off your harness? It takes only a few seconds longer to set up that way, and the rope feeds pretty easily because it's coming out in line with your brake hand. It's also a bit more stable because the weight of the rope is on your harness instead of above it (as when you're wearing the backpack).