VT for the first time.

[combined tree services]

i have spent today reducing a beech tree by 20% and used my ART rope guide and Lock Jack , whilst climbing a was thinking about giving my hitcher that a bought at the aa show a go . so at lunch time i gave it a go using a distel but i really could not get on with it at all

[Marc]

i have spent today reducing a beech tree by 20% and used my ART rope guide and Lock Jack , whilst climbing a was thinking about giving my hitcher that a bought at the aa show a go . so at lunch time i gave it a go using a distel but i really could not get on with it at all

 

Thats cause your using a distel which will bind tight, you really need a VT or Knute so it will break and advance easy with some self tending.

The real benefit is more precise and smoother control over a lockjack, you can kick out and swing accuratly onto limbs or drop and smoothly go out on limbs with more precise control, amongst other advantages.

You only have to watch the climbers on the competition circuits throughout Europe, America and Australia who 95% climb on a hitch to see the benefit.

 

Although comp climbing and work climbing are different if the lockjack works for you then it works, its a great tool I know this just in my opinion not superior to a hitch.

 

Did you get to use your 880 on the reduction today?

[Will Hinchliffe]

Another convert. Excellent.

 

Cts the distel doesnt release as easily as the VT and makes the system hard work, try it again with a VT

[combined tree services]

Thats cause your using a distel which will bind tight, you really need a VT or Knute so it will break and advance easy with some self tending.

The real benefit is more precise and smoother control over a lockjack, you can kick out and swing accuratly onto limbs or drop and smoothly go out on limbs with more precise control, amongst other advantages.

You only have to watch the climbers on the competition circuits throughout Europe, America and Australia who 95% climb on a hitch to see the benefit.

 

Although comp climbing and work climbing are different if the lockjack works for you then it works, its a great tool I know this just in my opinion not superior to a hitch.

 

Did you get to use your 880 on the reduction today?

 

cheers mate i will give the vt a go tomorrow , i found that either the distel would bind up or if a altered it then it would not hold at all!!!

 

as for the 880 - as it would happen i actually did leave it in the yard today . and further worse i did nearly the whole job with my zubat

[Rich Rule]

I think mine is set slightly different mick as i keep the top back leg over the wraps...it wont bite as well (well it does just fine for me!)and you will need more turns on the wraps and braids to make it do so but it self tends at about 20ft...

 

Matty I used to tie mine as you explained/pictured but I had quite a bit of hockling in the tail of the rope. A wise old man at the Treehouse recommended to have the top tail going under the bottom (as in micks last pic) to form the first braid. It has worked so far.

 

[hazzygawa]

i've noticed in a few pics that the carabiner is attached to both rings, i use it only in 1 ring, does this matter? am i putting too much trust in 1 ring?

 

cheers

[Buzz]

There are a million ways to adjust and fiddle with the VT. Just get it so it works and then keep experimenting. PS you need a decent rope as well mate lol

[bob]

i was just going to say that matt as well

buy a new rope and you will enjoy been alive

[Mick Stockbridge]

Yeah I'm gonna cut the gecko up for a lanyard, get a decent rope and use whats left of the gecko for manky conifer. I should have bought a new one Saturday really, but me being me drove away with £500 in my pocket (tightwad). Oh well if I'd bought all the things I need at once I'd get too excited.

 

So new rope, oval crabs and an art ropeguide next.

[Rob D]

John Shutler showed me to the VT a year ago and I've not looked back...

 

It's great when you do change things and it gets you excited about climbing again.