Rope ascending hands saw after a day out

[Jadeee.692]

Hi all 

 

been out in the trees today setting up some systems and after one day of ascending ropes on DRT (moving rope system) my hands are blistered and saw as anything 

 

mainly using hitch climber, vt hitch 

 

what I’ve found as I’m trying to hip thrust my hands are so blistered 

 

is it a case of bad technique 

lack of gloves 

or using some other kit I’ve been thinking about the hand ascenders? Does anyone use these ?? I’ve used in mountaineering before 

or a 3 to 1 system of some sort ? 

any help would be appreciated 

 

 

 

[Pete Mctree]

Gloves are a massive help - reduce blisters and fatigue. As is a foot ascender 

Your hands get used to the abuse after a while, or learn to climb Srt 

[Hank]

I try to make life as easy for myself as possible and have been avoiding DRT because it was killing my elbows, but a foot ascender if you don't have one will definitely help. Hand ascender can be useful but I try to leave the bulk of the hard work to my legs. With that said, micro dot gloves help with fatigue, at least for me. 

[JBH]

Your hands will get tougher. Gloves will help.

Try extending the hitch climber away from the bridge with a sling, that might improve ergonomics for you and self tends the system. 

When holding tension and feeding slack through the pulley maintain a straight arm to conserve energy as you would on a hold rock climbing. 

Use a foot ascender or learn how to footlock. 

Learn to climb srt, if only for ascending. 

Buy a thicker rope. 

 

Most importantly, climb the tree not the rope. 

 

 

[Mick Dempsey]

Wear gloves, get better at it., more economical with your movement. 
It will work itself out, don’t worry. 
 

 

[richyrich]

KNUCKL - At Height

ATHEIGHTUK.COM

 

[richyrich]

Just now, richyrich said:

KNUCKL - At Height

ATHEIGHTUK.COM

 

I had one of these. Useful when going was tough. It fell into some bushes and lost - not helped by it's grey colour. Looks like Skylotec in dispute over patent so not available. There device is called a Ringo I think. Worth looking at. Hand ascender also useful. I have a dearer ISC one and a more lightweight Heightec one. I prefer the latter. Foot ascenders also help but can be a bit fiddly at times. 

I've tried srt but still not fully confident with it. I also tried hitch climber but I find zigzag better. It's the non swivel one but I have 2 carabiners below it - with a dmm swivel between them. The foot ascenders and hand ascender help. Good old Blake's hitch for hip thrusting otherwise. 

Gloves sometimes but usually put in pocket.