Hitch climber set up in wet conditions.

[mark_goldfinch]

Does any alter their hitch climber set up in wet conditions. Climbing on it today up a storm damaged silver birch. So slippery and felt like a was working twice as hard no need for a friction saver in fact I would of done any thing for some friction. Had set the Knut as tight as I could and still really hard work. Tried climbing with out gloves but still really slippery. Definitely couldn't get my usual three or four pulls before tending the slack was lucky to get two. With the wet weather now upon us I really don't want to switch systems and go backwards as I love my hitch climber. This is my set up took this the other day up a Salix.

[Rich Rule]

I would say the fact you didn't use a cambium saver probably made it worse. Grease, gunk or whatever you want to call it gets in the rope and makes it difficult to grab. I nearly always use a rope guide for that reason. On conifers it stops the sap and on broadleaf it stops the gunk on your rope.

[mark_goldfinch]

Cheers mate. It was literally from the ground though no chance for any thing to get on it. Potentially it could of been wet gloves on wet line. But was still the same when I took my gloves off and dried my paws.

[colemanjessenz]

use a pantin, makes everything a lot easier.

[mark_goldfinch]

Any set up pics?

[Marc]

I find just trying to body thrust less helps, the beauty of a hitch climber is its ability to tend one handed. I struggle to pull/thrust myself more than a few feet even in summer with grippy gloves.

My advice probably doesn't help but it really is key to making your life easier. There is no denying it though conditions do make climbing more difficult and it just takes a little getting used to.

 

And a pantin is simple a pic is not needed its a little rope grab that is strapped to your foot, easily clipped to the line below the hitch as you lift your foot the rope falls through it, when you stand down it pulls you up and the hitch making your leg do the work and not your arm in certain situations, it's a fairly cheap bit of kit and worth having.

[coleman]

What gloves do you use?? Was using towa power grip today in the rain when my oil cap came undone

[coleman]

Went all over my gloves, gave them a quick wipe and they were still good as new. They are a lot stickier than the pfanner ones I usually use.

[mark_goldfinch]

What gloves do you use?? Was using towa power grip today in the rain when my oil cap came undone

 

Towa power grab at the moment also.

[arbogrunt]

I climb on an LJ and ropeguide..I find it quite juddery when the rope gets saturated. If things get that slippery (especially on take downs) I just resort to a bit of 'steam climbing' and use a prussik, 6 wrap if its really bad..its a bit like an 'arboricultural comfort blanket!'