We really must stop meeting like this! The relationship between the termination knot and the hitch.

Zebco Kid

Zebco Kid

Branched out member
Location
Ashland, Oregon
Hello All,

My normal tool for climbing both SRS and MRS is the HitchHiker XF.

If I want to traverse to another limb, I will often use the other end of my line. I will make all the necessary throwbag/grappling hook moves to get situated and secured. My tool of choice for the other end of the line is a HitchClimber Pulley and hitch of choice. I will then ease out my XF TIP while easing in my HC setup. It's one of my favorite parts of climbing...traversing my way through the canopy.

So...that leads me to my question. As I'm working with the "other end" of my rope, there is no spliced or sewn eye. I keep reading that it is not recommended to work with a HitchClimber Pulley with a termination knot, as it (the knot) can disrupt the effectiveness of the hitch/prusik.

My thought was that maybe a Figure 8 up the line, and out of the way of the HitchClimber and hitch would be a reasonable solution. I would like to know your thoughts/solutions when a spliced or sewn eye is not available to you, but your available tool is a HitchClimber Pulley?

Thank you.

David
 
As much as I prefer a spliced eye, I will go ahead and use a DF termination. It's usually on an 11mm, but sometimes 12.5mm, and always because it's a kernmantle. I have only had it interfere once for a moment, but I am a careful climber, and not competitively fast yet.
 
@zebcokid, an option to consider would be to run an O rig. The only additional equipment you would need to add is a small non-life support prussic loop.

Personally, I run the stitch hitch on single and double line. And when doubled, I have not had any problems with a termination knot conflicting with the hitch. But I think the stitch hitch sits a little further out than a hitch climber pulley.
 
When using the HC pulley in DdRT, if you want to clip the terminal end back to the HC then it should have a splice so that it does not interfere with the hitch. If your rope doesn't have a splice then you are better off clipping the terminal end into the ring or swivel or whatever you have on your bridge that the HC itself is connected to. Hope this makes sense...
 
Muggs said:
When using the HC pulley in DdRT, if you want to clip the terminal end back to the HC then it should have a splice so that it does not interfere with the hitch. If your rope doesn't have a splice then you are better off clipping the terminal end into the ring or swivel or whatever you have on your bridge that the HC itself is connected to. Hope this makes sense...
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It absolutely does make sense. Thank you.
 
Muggs said:
When using the HC pulley in DdRT, if you want to clip the terminal end back to the HC then it should have a splice so that it does not interfere with the hitch. If your rope doesn't have a splice then you are better off clipping the terminal end into the ring or swivel or whatever you have on your bridge that the HC itself is connected to. Hope this makes sense...
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Couldn’t disagree more.
 
I've had conflict with a scaffold knot.

I've used a big hole bowline, w/ a tied-off tail.





Paul Cox used to terminate the HH when DdRT/ MRS by tying into the bridge ring that has the HH carabiner with a termination knot that doesn't conflict.
 
I have once ever had some momentary interference from the knot bumping the hitch, but I slid about an inch or two; no poop in the pants thereafter. I understand that it is possible, but a shark might get you while you're up there too; try not to let it stress you out too much. I have also been climbing a fraction of the time of most of you gents, so we'll see if what happens.
 
Either a knot that has a larger loop, bigger than usual bowline or figure 8 on a bight. This keeps the bulkiness of the knot above the hitch. Another option is a tether and two carabiners from the hitch climber to your termination end. A spare hitch cord or small webbing loop runner will work, just double check the ratings for a straight line pull before using it this way.

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk
 
Matias said:
I have once ever had some momentary interference from the knot bumping the hitch, but I slid about an inch or two; no poop in the pants thereafter. I understand that it is possible, but a shark might get you while you're up there too; try not to let it stress you out too much. I have also been climbing a fraction of the time of most of you gents, so we'll see if what happens.
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Different knots will create different amounts of interference.

Every bowline I tie is a different bowline, if you follow me. Various configurations and amounts of interference will occur.
 
DMM does say to use a spliced end but I think it’s more to cover liability. It COULD happen, but it is very easily avoided if you pay attention. I use a spliced end now and its by first one in a decade of climbing. I still have a habit of tending the hitch cord every time I go to sit back after ascending, ensures the termination knot does not impede the hitch biting the climb line.
 
I don't care how you use the HC either way, I truly don't, but it was designed for a spliced rope. A termination knot where the splice is supposed to be can interfere with the hitch cord, whether or not it does interfere is up to the user.

The HC was designed to be the centrepiece of the so-called "modern/advanced" climbing system, which consisted of a spliced rope, an eye to eye hitch cord, and a tending pulley. This setup was, and still is, top of the line.

To me, a good old single CMI pulley works just as well as a HC in doubled rope, sacrilege as it may be...
Screenshot_20231127-215159_Instagram.jpg
 
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No, but it's still very functional and exactly what I learned to climb on when I was just starting.

Edit: I didn't have a fancy spliced rope, or spliced eye-to-eye though!
 
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