Not getting on with hitchclimber.

[Mark Wileman]

Hey.

I really want to use the hitchclimber setup, the benefits are obvious. But I'm just not getting on with it, I've tried a ton of different knots and all have weaknesses that outweigh the benefits for me. I've resorted back to split-tail as it stands, now as a lot of people sing hitchclimbers praises I assume I'm doing something massively wrong. Here is a list of knots I've tried with it and don't get on with (I'm climbing on 13mm line):

VT (9mm): When ascending (especially footlocking) hitch isn't tightening quick enough (if it bites at all without dressing) to make it worthwhile use of energy.

Distel(9mm and 10mm): Gets too tight and makes for tough descent/slack retrieval.

Prussik(9 and 10 mm): Isn't biting fast enough.

Also the largest problem is that with the hitchclimber coming straight off my bridge it's all a bit close to effectively thrust up the tree, it's fine for footlocking big ascents but the smaller movements are difficult.

 

Anyone had any similiar problems and have any solutions?

 

Thanks.

 

[bigtreedon]

Hey.
I really want to use the hitchclimber setup, the benefits are obvious. But I'm just not getting on with it, I've tried a ton of different knots and all have weaknesses that outweigh the benefits for me. I've resorted back to split-tail as it stands, now as a lot of people sing hitchclimbers praises I assume I'm doing something massively wrong. Here is a list of knots I've tried with it and don't get on with (I'm climbing on 13mm line):
VT (9mm): When ascending (especially footlocking) hitch isn't tightening quick enough (if it bites at all without dressing) to make it worthwhile use of energy.
Distel(9mm and 10mm): Gets too tight and makes for tough descent/slack retrieval.
Prussik(9 and 10 mm): Isn't biting fast enough.
Also the largest problem is that with the hitchclimber coming straight off my bridge it's all a bit close to effectively thrust up the tree, it's fine for footlocking big ascents but the smaller movements are difficult.
 
Anyone had any similiar problems and have any solutions?
 
Thanks.
 

Get a Zigzag

[Mark Wileman]

Just now, bigtreedon said:

Get a Zigzag

Literally expected that as the first comment  If zigzag was SRT friendly then I would grab one but I like the versatility of knots! 

[bigtreedon]

Literally expected that as the first comment [emoji4] If zigzag was SRT friendly then I would grab one but I like the versatility of knots! 

[Mark Wileman]

I thought Petzl didn't approve it for SRT?

[jfc]

I love my hh setup, use it all the time. I was using a hh and vt on 13mm marlow gecko. I had to play around with the number of wraps round the rope and braids to get it just right. I now use a smaller diameter rope but use 3 wraps and 3 braids, rather than 4 wraps. What rope are you using?

[Mark Wileman]

I'm on marlow gecko too, I'm using 9mm cord for my VT and I've done all I could to wear it in. When I dress it it works fine, it's just when it self tends on the pully it won't bite.

[Steve Bullman]

7 minutes ago, wiley said:

Hey.

I really want to use the hitchclimber setup, the benefits are obvious. But I'm just not getting on with it, I've tried a ton of different knots and all have weaknesses that outweigh the benefits for me. I've resorted back to split-tail as it stands, now as a lot of people sing hitchclimbers praises I assume I'm doing something massively wrong. Here is a list of knots I've tried with it and don't get on with (I'm climbing on 13mm line):

VT (9mm): When ascending (especially footlocking) hitch isn't tightening quick enough (if it bites at all without dressing) to make it worthwhile use of energy.

Distel(9mm and 10mm): Gets too tight and makes for tough descent/slack retrieval.

Prussik(9 and 10 mm): Isn't biting fast enough.

Also the largest problem is that with the hitchclimber coming straight off my bridge it's all a bit close to effectively thrust up the tree, it's fine for footlocking big ascents but the smaller movements are difficult.

 

Anyone had any similiar problems and have any solutions?

 

Thanks.

 

Job to say exactly without watching you climb in person but the few obvious things here are:

 

You don't body thrust with a hitch climber, at least not in the conventional sense as you are used to with a prussik, rather you pull yourself up hand over hand and then hold yourself in position whilst you tend through the slack, before advancing further.  The safety nuts amongst us will typically advise 3 pulls before tending slack...ie right,left,right, then hold yourself with the right hand whilst tensing slack with the left.  Hope that makes sense?  In reality most people probably take a lot more than 3 pulls before pausing to tend slack.

 

Out of all those knots the vt performs best in my opinion(and experience), but it is a very finniky knot to get right.  The legs of the hitch need to be exactly the right length.  Too short and the knot becomes hard and unworkable, too long and it doesn't bite reliably without manually setting it.

Add to this, you could have that leg length absolutely perfect but if you have got the wrong hitch cord/rope combination it will still perform utterly crap.  Did you seek advice on what cord to buy with whatever rope you are using?

 

 

[Steve Bullman]

Not tried Gecko, How is it to the feel?  A good rule of thumb is if your rope is hard use a soft friction cord, and vice versa.  I would personally always use 8mm with a vt too.

[jfc]

I also found I had to watch which hole I clip the end of the rope in, think I use the top hole now (rather than middle). This was because it was interfering with the vt and causing it not to lock.