New HitchHikerXF

Yea I gotta admit I just gave up on the hh. I got the hh2 and hhxf and I couldn't ever get it to run smoothly in both srt drt. I mean, I could get it to run great for short periods of time but it wouldn't last long before I would have to adjust the hitch or switch cords.
I do everything from deadwood to big tree crane work and it was just too finicky. I found it much easier to go with a hitch climber or zz. love it for rec climbing but it is just too slow and inconsistent for production work.
It's a great device and I'm sure if I wanted to I know I could match the right rope and cord and hitch and make it my go to device and I think Richard has definitely improved it.
I do still use em on side jobs and rec climbs but if anybody wants one of them, I wouldn't mind getting rid of one.
 
I get it. I wanted to love the BDB, but after owning 2 of them I realized it was not the tool for me. This is definitely not a one size fits all line of work. We all need to find what works for us, and roll with it.
 
rico said:
I get it. I wanted to love the BDB, but after owning 2 of them I realized it was not the tool for me. This is definitely not a one size fits all line of work. We all need to find what works for us, and roll with it.
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I was beginning to think I was the only one who didn't get along with the BDB. Thanks for being there, I feel seen.
 
I am currently using my HHXF as my go-to for chunking down big wood after a tree has been brushed out on a cinched SRS line. I am using a rope wrench for most other stuff. It is tough to beat the HHXF for keeping the system short, and the compact, unibody nature makes it less prone to getting snagged on stuff when pulling it through redirects. Different strokes for different folks, and different tools for different tasks. I love having the friction added below the hitch rather than above it too. My main gripe is that I have trouble finding a balance between easy tending on ascent and reliable grab when sitting back. I rarely use MRS on my climb line but find it really useful on a lanyard, long or short.
 
Njdelaney said:
I am currently using my HHXF as my go-to for chunking down big wood after a tree has been brushed out on a cinched SRS line. I am using a rope wrench for most other stuff. It is tough to beat the HHXF for keeping the system short, and the compact, unibody nature makes it less prone to getting snagged on stuff when pulling it through redirects. Different strokes for different folks, and different tools for different tasks. I love having the friction added below the hitch rather than above it too. My main gripe is that I have trouble finding a balance between easy tending on ascent and reliable grab when sitting back. I rarely use MRS on my climb line but find it really useful on a lanyard, long or short.
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I use my camp giant for that, highly recommend checking them out if you're happy climbing on 11.5mm and thinner lines.
My hitchhiker I bought primarily to use with my captain hook and 9mm line, I use it for other stuff happy with it as multi use addition but primarily climb on my rrp.
 
DSMc said:
Finally had the chance to order the HHXF yesterday. Already predisposed to liking this type of multiscender, I'm excited to get this HH rendition on a rope and seeing what it can do in the trees.
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I consider you to be an expert on the HH, so please report back after you have had a chance to run in the HHFX. Would love to hear you thoughts.
 
Thanks, rico, I will. I have been intrigued with the HHXF since Richard first introduced it. There have been many good and informative posts on this thread but frankly it was your endorsement that finally convinced me to make the purchase. ...plus I like the color.
 
DSMc said:
Thanks, rico, I will. I have been intrigued with the HHXF since Richard first introduced it. There have been many good and informative posts on this thread but frankly it was your endorsement that finally convinced me to make the purchase. ...plus I like the color.
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Sorry for the late shipping, looks like it will arrive on Friday.
Couple of comments and please don't be offended for these things that you already know.
My preference is the captive eye you ordered that attaches directly to your bridge. Once you become proficient at taking the body on and off with twist and pull method of the SlicPin, time yourself. Compare that to taking a system off with the carabiner. Let's say it costs you an extra 5 minutes in the day to get those 9 deliberate actions to release your life support system. I find that a small cost, compared to having to monitor the carabiner for orientation and closure.
Note that if you suddenly become weightless, (don't actually try this) the Swingarm will self orient and maintain proper configuration. If in doubled moving rope, it will also self orient while keeping the rope termination clear of the life support friction hitch.
Remember that the friction hitch IS your ultimate life support, use whatever you want but make sure it works as intended. You will find the hitch it comes with is easy to adjust during a climb if needed. It is easy to tighten from the straight leg side to balance your choice of tending ease to secure engagement.
Note the lack of bigtop exposure that is present on fully mechanical devices. It would be very difficult for a chest harness, sleave or item of clothing to catch on the hitch and prevent it from engaging if you suddenly became weightless.
The extra friction is useful on a long descents but also to add security for positioning. For example, doing a rescue, before making a hard connect to the victim, engage the friction to the maximum extent. If something occurred with the victim's system you would already have extra friction do deal with it. (In addition to lanyard use when possible. )Once the descent is started the extra friction can be adjusted dynamically as needed or not needed.
I know I'm talking about things you already know but hope others find the info useful.
Oh, one more thing, I see this all the time and it applies to other devices as well. Do not reach up at the top of an ascent and manually engage the friction hitch, even if it is to avoid a small amount of sit back. It prevents us from knowing the hitch is working as intended and we probably won't have the ability or presence of mind to perform that action when we are focused on the ground coming up fast.

Thanks
 
I posted something last year about a hook line/lanyard setup, with a 30 ft rope and a HHxF. Got thinking about how much rope could I actually stuff into this little dmm bag, and I ended up switching it out for 60 ft of 11mm kernmaster. It's become my most-used rope/system. Use it for all the smaller stuff we work on, which is a lot, and my go-to second line when I'm already up there. I just bring it up with me in big spready trees. Gives me a quick setup ddrt or I set up srt with a soft 8. Love this Yale Woodland 9mm with the Hitchhiker...
 

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Not the HHXF, but I use the same DMM bag for my Captain Hook with 3/8" Stable Braid. It's not an ideal climb-line and I don't really use it as such, but lets me keep 50' of rope inside, and is great for tossing the hook into a neighboring fir, doing my work, then changing it to a DRT setup to return to the tree I came from without having to take a big dangerous swing.

00 dmm bag.jpg
 
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