2016 srtwp redirects

It's made from some pretty serious high density plastic. In that configuration I think it would be awfully hard to break. At close to 1/2" thick it won't fit in a kerf as is but that is a good idea, you could taper the end I suppose.
 
That canyoneering inspired redirect is way too cool! If you want to set a couple of those and plan on working your way out of the tree to the ground you could pre-configure your little redirect paddles with 60' (or whatever's for your average redirect heights) of my favorite haul line, 3/16th's task rope from Knot and Rope https://www.knotandrope.com/Store/m/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=145&idcategory=0 and throw it to the ground Ocean's style. Once you're done walk around and pull out all the little black cords and take your rope out.
-AJ
 
I came up with this midline hitch to hold a Fiddlestick. It snugs up nice against the branch, holds the fiddlestick tight and releases cleanly. Either leg of the line is life support secure. Using a table knife handle to demonstrate the fiddlestick position.

Steps to tie the hitch
https://www.flickr.com/photos/naturejournal/albums/72157666838293520

Working on this hitch gave me some ideas for an optimal fiddlestick shape/profile for use in trees. Also has excellent possibilities for a safe releasable basal anchor ;-)

The finished hitch looks like this:
26277220380_8f337c828c_c.jpg
 
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In the first one I posted (with the table knife handle) the fiddlestick acts more as a keeper and doesn't take load as directly, the more load on either leg of the rope the more the hitch tightens to the anchor. You could also spike it with a carabiner instead of a fiddlestick to make a simple static redirect.
-AJ
 
Totally understandable. Few of the people I've showed it to have been compfy with it. When I first got it I thought it might be more a parlor trick than practical tool but I was impressed with how secure it was and started using it at work more and more. Tie it up tight and it'll treat you right!
 
Steve Connally said:
Maybe im just a pansy but that freaks me out!!!
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The first hitch I showed grabs it tight as can be, no way it's coming out. I'm more concerned it doesn't come out when you want it to, that probably won't happen either. The more load put on either leg of the redirect the tighter it chokes up. I'm going to build an ideal paddle profile with some suitable wood material to further enhance the safety aspect. The hitch I showed is PROPOSED, not offering it as a safe way to do anything, I have to test it in a tree!

However if you try setting up in your shop you'll get an idea of how secure it is. If you drop a pull cord out of the tree for later redirect removal, I recommend putting a little sign on the end to the effect of "If you pull this cord I will put my boot up your..."

To elaborate a little further, the paddle shape can be made so that it won't fall out if a climber doesn't snug up the hitch, will be harder to take out but doable, a few prototypes needed to find the sweet spot. I'm pretty psyched that this will be a viable and safe technique after some refinements are figured out.
-AJ
 
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