hitch climber

[alex_m]

go for it! i bought that honeybros setup as soon as i left college and i swear i've improved quicker than if i used a prussic.

[swinny]

I've got a hitch climber but i feel like i need to tend the hitch to get it to grip the rope properly, plus i don't like the fact of holding your weight on one arm whilst you tend the line.....

 

am going to give it another go as haven't bothered with it really but, think i'll just end up with a spiderjack so i don't have to hold my weight and tend as it will self tend with minimal sit back

[Dilz]

it takes a while to get hitches and rope combos tuned to the individual, you may find a set up of a vt works amaizing one day but wont grab the next due to wear, or grab too much etc. the HC is a good bit of kit, they work well with a pantin to tend the slack. Until i got given one i thought they where just fancy pulley wheels that cost too much.

[Marc]

I've got a hitch climber but i feel like i need to tend the hitch to get it to grip the rope properly, plus i don't like the fact of holding your weight on one arm whilst you tend the line.....

 

am going to give it another go as haven't bothered with it really but, think i'll just end up with a spiderjack so i don't have to hold my weight and tend as it will self tend with minimal sit back

 

The idea is to keep your arm locked straight whilst tending slack, also good positioning with your feet will reduce how much weight you need to hold anyway, and pantins will also help for short ascents close to trunk.

The spiderjack is also a very good tool just different, which one is best depends on you, for me I find climbing with a HC easy.

 

To original poster i'd buy the parts seperatly to save money, also look to the Petzl OK over the DMM ovals they are a much more reliable biner.

[scottythepinetree]

Do you install a cambium saver from the ground though or just when you reach the top?

Depends on the tree. If its a big one and I can get a good high clear shot from the ground then I'll install the cambium saver. Otherwise, I just scrabble up. Unusual question though.

[swinny]

Depends on the tree. If its a big one and I can get a good high clear shot from the ground then I'll install the cambium saver. Otherwise, I just scrabble up. Unusual question though.

 

i only ask due to if just scrabble up, the extra friction around branches etc, esp on rough bark species..... ok its the same as prussic method but you body thrust then, my only thought is of the added friction when doing the over arm pulling way, if you get me? arms knackered when you get to top

[Marc]

i only ask due to if just scrabble up, the extra friction around branches etc, esp on rough bark species..... ok its the same as prussic method but you body thrust then, my only thought is of the added friction when doing the over arm pulling way, if you get me? arms knackered when you get to top

 

SRT is quite simple and makes using a throwline easier as you do not need to isolate a branch.

The idea is simple get an SRT line in, use this to get into the tree quickly and as near to the top anchor as possible, ascend then climb the last extra bit where there are far more banchesmeaning less need to body thrust, then install your cambium saver and work the tree with your normal set-up, then if you need to take a break its not big deal as you can just SRT back up again in no time.

[MOG]

hey tony,

 

hitchclimber (friction cord Ocean poly or Beeline, knut or VT) all the way mate. much more efficient than prussik and works way better. best thing to do is read the hitch climbers guide and that will tell you everything you need to know about it. it is alot more than a pulley to tend your slack. i use mine for heaps of different applications daily and wouldnt work without it.

 

Have fun MOG

[MattyF]

They do not self tend in the way that people say they do at least not until the weight of almost all your rope is under it. Only a lockjack or spiderjack will do this.

 

Don't agree , it's all down to the hitch ,its length and how you tie it... With all these variables I can get mine to tend as good if not better than a SJ .. It does not offer the same predictability though ....but that just makes it more fun!

[Joe Loggs]

They do not self tend in the way that people say they do at least not until the weight of almost all your rope is under it. Only a lockjack or spiderjack will do this.

 

Don't agree , it's all down to the hitch ,its length and how you tie it... With all these variables I can get mine to tend as good if not better than a SJ .. It does not offer the same predictability though ....but that just makes it more fun!

 

Matt what length is your cord how many wraps and braids are you using ? I can get mine to self tend nicely at not much height but to get the v.t to grab I have to help it.