Another hitch hiker thread

[lumberjackson]

One of the biggest complaints I hear from people about the hitch hiker is that it's slow untying and retying the stopper knots when switching ropes or going around a redirect or something. Once you get your hitch cord cut to the right length it's really not an issue as far as tying the stopper knot in the right spot, for me at least, but I still wish it was a little quicker.

The slic pin dog bone that was on here a long time ago got me inspired the other day (I still want one) when I was browsing some old hh threads and I came up with a couple other ways to make the hh a little more agile when switching ropes:

Adding a quickie between dog bone and hitch cord

Or just a quick link (a little less bulky)

Or replace the dog bone with another steel carabiner

I like the concept of this last one, but wish I could find something a little smaller; I thought about a custom quickie, but I think the barb things will get caught on the hitch cord, plus it's a hassle getting the slic pins out of the hh. Maybe I will try a delta link or something. With this carabiner though, it's not really that much of an advantage and I think it takes a little away from the simplicity of the device

 

[RajElectric]

Why untie to go around a redirect?

 

[Boomslang]

How does everyone around here keep their gear so damn shiny!?

On topic, while thoughtful, these ideas seem a little convoluted and look wonky. Plus, the HH (or any system for that matter) doesn't really need to come off the rope unless you're changing hitch cord or rope.

 

[r0ck1r0ck2]

yehp.
no need to untie for this guy.
not yet anyway.
i do applaud your desire for innovation anyway.


how do you like the sterling htp with the HH?

i need a long line to go with my yale 11.7.

 

[Leroy]

If you can't see the advantage in easy on/off you're missing out on some very useful techniques.

 

[lumberjackson]

I guess I didnt really mean going "around a redirect," but sometimes I want to move my line, adjust my TIP or something, and my HH doesnt want to squeeze through the crotch I am trying to pull my line through.

Boomslang- there's a reason I'm not the inventor of the HH or RW or RR, haha. Just thought I'd share some of my tinkering around.

I prefer my HTP to my kernmaster and velocity when I run the HH, but it is not my top choice when I am on the RW. Or anything other than the HH for that matter. Even when I am just rappelling I will go for a less wiry line because it doesnt bend well at all. But stays round and runs well with the HH.

 

[TimBr]

One of the biggest complaints I hear from people about the hitch hiker is that it's slow untying and retying the stopper knots when switching ropes or going around a redirect or something. Once you get your hitch cord cut to the right length it's really not an issue as far as tying the stopper knot in the right spot, for me at least, but I still wish it was a little quicker.

The slic pin dog bone that was on here a long time ago got me inspired the other day (I still want one) when I was browsing some old hh threads and I came up with a couple other ways to make the hh a little more agile when switching ropes:

Adding a quickie between dog bone and hitch cord

Or just a quick link (a little less bulky)

Or replace the dog bone with another steel carabiner

I like the concept of this last one, but wish I could find something a little smaller; I thought about a custom quickie, but I think the barb things will get caught on the hitch cord, plus it's a hassle getting the slic pins out of the hh. Maybe I will try a delta link or something. With this carabiner though, it's not really that much of an advantage and I think it takes a little away from the simplicity of the device

Nice ideas. Thanks for posting the photos. I do like the looks of the Quickie idea. It would save the time of having to re-tie the Hitch Hiker knot, and trying to get the length right every time. Unfortunately, my setup with my Hitch Hiker is more complicated on the bottom end, which also slows things down. I need to try Dave's (@DSMc) setup with just a small pulley attached to his rope bridge ring. I guess now that I've finally found a solution that works for me and seems to keep the Hitch Hiker aligned the way that I want it, I get reluctant to change things.

Tim

 

[Boomslang]

Boomslang- there's a reason I'm not the inventor of the HH or RW or RR, haha. Just thought I'd share some of my tinkering around.

And I appreciate it, it's how things get improved.

 

[Boomslang]

If you can't see the advantage in easy on/off you're missing out on some very useful techniques.

What techniques? I usually don't do very technical climbs so I've never come across a situation where I felt it would be ideal or necessary to remove my system from the rope. If I'm missing out on something useful I'd like to learn.

 

[LimbLoppa]

I couldn't help myself.....sorry

 

[RajElectric]

I thought this was neat. Would be nice to have the links go where the dogbone is. Something removable.

 

[Kris Anderson]

Where can I get that?...

 

[surveyor]

I made the all mechanical HH at the same point in time that I was making the Bulldog Bone, but realized that the Bone worked better as an all mechanical device, so have not pursued the mechanical HH concept. But maybe if I used a C2050D3CL link at the pivot arm ...............

 

[Magnum783]

I made the all mechanical HH at the same point in time that I was making the Bulldog Bone, but realized that the Bone worked better as an all mechanical device, so have not pursued the mechanical HH concept. But maybe if I used a C2050D3CL link at the pivot arm ...............

Now your taking. Currently my HH2 is holding down paperwork on my desk then I would have a use for it.

 

[Leroy]

What techniques? I usually don't do very technical climbs so I've never come across a situation where I felt it would be ideal or necessary to remove my system from the rope. If I'm missing out on something useful I'd like to learn.

One thing I do often is switch directions on my rope. Also it is very helpful for clearing redirects that are far away.

 

[Tree-Taylor]

What techniques? I usually don't do very technical climbs so I've never come across a situation where I felt it would be ideal or necessary to remove my system from the rope. If I'm missing out on something useful I'd like to learn.

I hate taking it off the rope, especially when it's dialed in, but still end up doing in quite often. Usually when the device is at the opposite end of the rope from where I need it to be or when retrieving a canopy anchor with a natural crotch redirect.

Thanks for posting those ideas.

 

[TreeWorks13]

I'm still just starting to play with the hitch hiker but I don't really see the issues with dialing it in ... (3 short climbs ) I dunno maybe I'm just never in that big of a hurry that I have to worry about the 3-4 min it takes to tie it on and dress it. My only gripe is that funky carabineer they send with it just feels bass ackwards from my others. I'm climbing on arbormaster with the bee line treestuff sent with it works great. still trying to find the time to get on the hank of velocity cool hanging In my kitchen. Absolutly love it so far.

 

[ClimbHy]

IT took me forever to get the HH to perform the way I wanted, but in the process of trying different ropes and cords and tying 10,000 HH knots I actually got good at it and it's no big deal now. My favorites are Scion or vortex with 5 wraps of 9mm ArbPro.

 

[Kris Anderson]

IT took me forever to get the HH to perform the way I wanted, but in the process of trying different ropes and cords and tying 10,000 HH knots I actually got good at it and it's no big deal now. My favorites are Scion or vortex with 5 wraps of 9mm ArbPro.

Me too. I was gonna throw it away until I got rid of the beeline and went with ArbPro. I also use 5 wraps and it one hand tends like a boss.

 

[r0ck1r0ck2]

IT took me forever to get the HH to perform the way I wanted, but in the process of trying different ropes and cords and tying 10,000 HH knots I actually got good at it and it's no big deal now. My favorites are Scion or vortex with 5 wraps of 9mm ArbPro.

i've been looking at the scion but keep seeing reports of stretch.
would you care to give me your review of it?