Hitch Hiker thread.

[Old Mill Tree Care]

Thanks DMc. I thought that's what you meant.

So with this tether, one would use the HH as a hand ascender of sorts. Is that right?

 

Do you still use the gold rope grab (Petzl Croll?) and if so what for?

[D Mc]

I guess it might be one of those things that need to be tried before it makes sense. But it is hard to imagine not recognizing the usefulness of a hand ascender in SRT. It works the same way but is far more versatile. The last picture shows a very efficient rope walker system. If you are returning on a limb walk, unclip the Croll and return in complete control with a slide and pull. Never any slack to tend.

 

Like I said, it might be better to just try it a bit as I know that is a pretty lame description.

 

No, I do not use the Croll much anymore.

 

Dave

[dcoffey]

Hey folks,

Check this out. I use a Metolius Monster daisy chain (rated) or Sterling's Chain Reactor (14kn) for both my tether and footloop. This allows the HH to act as a handled ascender withou the toothed cams. I advance with a Pantin and footloop. Great for extended limbwalks and if I want the HH closer to my bridge, then I just lanyard in and clip the HH back to my bridge.

 

Here is a link to the video I made. I'm trying to attach pics of the system up close.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhjrvBKo5Z8]Walking Hitch Hiker - YouTube[/ame]

[dcoffey]

Here is a close-up.

[Old Mill Tree Care]

Ok that's making sense now Dave. I'll be trying it tomorrow on a Birch.

 

The little technique problem advancing the HH I was having is sorted now. I don't know how to explain it but I was simply being a bit cack handed.

 

I dismantled two small Sycamores this morning and as there was no SRT benefit I used the HH in DRT mode. I was utterly amazed at how smooth, easy and predictable it was! No wonder PeteMcTree raves about it this way (I thought he might be mad)

I could hardly find any difference between it and a HC except I've never been able to set a HC with as little sit back as I had today on my HH.

 

This afternoon I worked on a Yew tree and I tried it with a strop underneath, as you suggested. The strop was the wrong length but it was a very intuitive movement for me which was a surprise. I'm not sure why it felt this way but I can only imagine that it's due to years on a Lockjack and never liking the HC slack tending that I had to do under my ZK1.

 

A real voyage of discovery today. I can't wait for tomorrow👍😊.

[BenR]

Glad to hear its coming together for you old mill. I cant get on with having a long tether personally. Hand ascender w/footloop, uni pantin. Or rope rocket setup underneath the wrench. Guess everyone finds their own way

[Ewan Murray]

One think i don't like about that setup is the fact your holding the rope above your hitch which is holding you up, in a weird situation you could slacken the hitch off and be in a sticky situation.

[Old Mill Tree Care]

Glad to hear its coming together for you old mill. I cant get on with having a long tether personally. Hand ascender w/footloop, uni pantin. Or rope rocket setup underneath the wrench. Guess everyone finds their own way

 

You're so right with the last sentence.

 

I just tried the tether again but it didn't work although I thing that was because I was in a talk skinny tree. I need to try it again in something spready.

[BenR]

That's why I dont like frog walking srwping unless its on the uni since it devours slack. I find the wrench rarely advances with a footloop without me having to kick the slack through with the pantin. Maybe I should try it on a tether with hand ascender w/footloop an a pantin underneath!?!

 

Hows that HH work if you frog walk with a strap like Dmc, Old mill?

Edited December 11, 2012 by BenR

[kevin bingham]

Do you have a stiff tether ben? Whats your knot? I find i really only have to kick the first two or three steps. Th hh does cruise up the rope excelent, I find tending it on limb walks a bit more awkward though. I have not been able to use a tether like dave though. I havent got that one figured out.