Transition from Hitch Climber to Zigzag

[stewmo]

So just started climbing on the Zigzag.

 

Couple of questions

 

1. I’m used to unclipping karabiner from HC chucking up and reclipping. With the ZZ this seems impossible as the top link rubber grommet is annoyingly tight.

Feels weird unclipping rope rather than krab, can’t do it one handed, and I miss the weight of the krab to fling rope further and wondering what people do?

 

2. Have been used to ascending SRT and switching over to DRT for work positioning if more practical than SRT. Wondering how people work this. Today I have been ascending DRT but goes without saying it’s a lot more effort.

 

Thanks people

[mikedrums69]

5 hours ago, stewmo said:

2. Have been used to ascending SRT and switching over to DRT for work positioning if more practical than SRT. Wondering how people work this. Today I have been ascending DRT but goes without saying it’s a lot more effort.

 

Thanks people

 

I used to use two ropes and kept my zz on one which was used solely as a double and the other line solely for working srt or access. 

But since developing tennis elbow I’ve lightened my kit bag somewhat and have removed my static rope. It’s a pain threading the zz on and off all the time when changing and to keep with manufacturers recommendations I won’t use it in a zz/wrench combo. In all honesty I’ve gone back to the hitch climber and a good fashioned friction knot. I think it’s the best option out there to use both climbing systems using the same rope without faffing about getting the zz on and off your rope.

[MattyF]

Ascending SRT is a start ,next time you have a big dead wood try the whole thing SRT and there is no going back... the zig zag I found good zero sit back but I always went back to a hitch , never thrown ropes with krabs on really always a monkeys fist for the weight, your knacked if you miss and it gets jammed in the wrong fork or some epicormic growth.

[Mark Bolam]

Aye, throwing with the crab on is asking for bother.

[billpierce]

Aye you'll get use to chucking rope about with no krab on

[TIMON]

So just started climbing on the Zigzag.
 
Couple of questions
 
1. I’m used to unclipping karabiner from HC chucking up and reclipping. With the ZZ this seems impossible as the top link rubber grommet is annoyingly tight.
Feels weird unclipping rope rather than krab, can’t do it one handed, and I miss the weight of the krab to fling rope further and wondering what people do?
 
2. Have been used to ascending SRT and switching over to DRT for work positioning if more practical than SRT. Wondering how people work this. Today I have been ascending DRT but goes without saying it’s a lot more effort.
 
Thanks people

I use a 11oz throw bag on a small krab to clip onto the working end of the rope.
Works a treat and with a little practice you can get surprisingly accurate at locating anchor points.

Can’t help with the SRT question.... never touched the stuff.

[Treerover]

2 hours ago, TIMON said:

 

I use a 11oz throw bag on a small krab to clip onto the working end of the rope.
Works a treat and with a little practice you can get surprisingly accurate at locating anchor points.

Can’t help with the SRT question.... never touched the stuff.

 

I’m with you on this one my brother . 

[Treerover]

2 hours ago, TIMON said:

 

I use a 11oz throw bag on a small krab to clip onto the working end of the rope.
Works a treat and with a little practice you can get surprisingly accurate at locating anchor points.

Can’t help with the SRT question.... never touched the stuff.

 

I’m with you on this one my brother . 

[stewmo]

Ascending SRT is a start ,next time you have a big dead wood try the whole thing SRT and there is no going back... the zig zag I found good zero sit back but I always went back to a hitch , never thrown ropes with krabs on really always a monkeys fist for the weight, your knacked if you miss and it gets jammed in the wrong fork or some epicormic growth.

 

Thanks matty

I’ve used SRT enough to know what I like to use it for....in the same big tree all day. Definite winner but I struggle a bit with the friction the HC and Wrench produce as I’m a lightweight! I need to research ZZ SRT setups.

But I’m often jumping in and out of this and that and some trees I prefer DRT.

 

 

[stewmo]

Been throwing ropes with krabs on for years and never got one stuck.
Like the throw bag idea might try that one or I could just keep a heavy karabiner on the harness for chucking.
Thanks