climbing hitch?

macrocarpa

macrocarpa

Branched out member
Location
Midwest
I climb on a VT but with my new eye & eye sometime I get some slipping.

Today I tried taking an extra wrap on the top and only 1 on the bottom (rather then 2 on the bottom) and it seemed to work better.

In Gerald Beranek's video he takes a couple more wraps then most I think?

Anyway, is there any concerns with taking an extra on the top and only one on the bottom? I need to try a different hitch because it seems the VT does need dressed a lot. Any suggestions?

Thanks
 
[ QUOTE ]
I climb on a VT but with my new eye & eye sometime I get some slipping.

Today I tried taking an extra wrap on the top and only 1 on the bottom (rather then 2 on the bottom) and it seemed to work better.

In Gerald Beranek's video he takes a couple more wraps then most I think?

Anyway, is there any concerns with taking an extra on the top and only one on the bottom? I need to try a different hitch because it seems the VT does need dressed a lot. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

Macrocarpa,
Yes I believe Gerry Ties a VT with 6 wraps and 1 braid when using Tech Cord (I've only watched his video 1,000 times)and what he explains is that it all depends on the rope and hitch cord combination that really determines the total number of 'Wraps and Braids' used. I change mine depending if I am using DRT or SRT and it depends how new or old my hitch cord is. Try some different combo's and test low and slow.
 
With using the VT, I have come to understand that so many variables exist. Type of climbing line being used ( old/new and diameter 7/16 vs 1/2 inch ) then the hitch cord ( old/new 5/16 or 3/8 ). The combinations can make or break ya. Now I always use 5/16 hitch cord with whatever rope I used, I have since given up on velocity ( 7/16 ) ropes as I liked it's footlocking capabilities but hated the smallness in my hands. However with that size rope I always used a 4wrap 3 braid combination and never had slippage, used ( op,htc,icetail,beeline and ultratech ) Hated op as I found it very sketchy. The other four perform quite well with ultratech and icetail probably the smoothest. That being said my favorite combinations are Tachyon and arbormater with HRC which I use a 3wrap 2 braid VT which never slips. Look at the photos of my two ropes I been using lately. The VT's are always on there except for a inspection when I think it wise. However with my lanyard ( 1 of them ) I use 5/16 beeline on safety blue and that is 3 wrap 3 braid. So you have to play around a bit, and the worst combo is new rope/ new hitch combo. This a personal preference thing and it takes a while to dial the correct combo in. I am always messing around with different ropes and hitch cord.
 

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Personally I find the distel and the michoacan very grabby and binding and the vt definitely is not again preference. They all work fine depending on one's climbing style here it's mainly personal preference. For lanyard the distel and michoacan work fine for me again the type of hitch cord can vary the performance severely.
 
Try the XT.... pretty much the same as the VT but doesn't need to be set, at least for me. There is pics some where on TB. I've found it to be quite a bit more reliable and can even get it to self tail when I have enough rope under me.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I climb on a VT but with my new eye & eye sometime I get some slipping.

Today I tried taking an extra wrap on the top and only 1 on the bottom (rather then 2 on the bottom) and it seemed to work better.

In Gerald Beranek's video he takes a couple more wraps then most I think?

Anyway, is there any concerns with taking an extra on the top and only one on the bottom? I need to try a different hitch because it seems the VT does need dressed a lot. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

If it works for you, then it's OK. There are many combinations to try. It depends on the hitch cord fiber, length, configuration and the host rope.
Good on ya for trying a different hitch.
 
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If your VT keeps slipping, try a softer cordage. I still think Tenex is THE best hitch cord for a VT... it's cheap and easy to splice too.

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cheap, easy, and all exposed to complete a visual inspection-no possible hidden core damage/wear issues under a cover. nice-may have to try that Blinky
 
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got a pic of the xt

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I posted up some video tying the XT

Photo of a 5 wrap XT with a 32" split tail, I tie it 4 wraps with a 28" e2e now:
2398650661_4af62e11f9_b.jpg


-AJ
 
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If your VT keeps slipping, try a softer cordage. I still think Tenex is THE best hitch cord for a VT... it's cheap and easy to splice too.

[/ QUOTE ]

How long will an I2I made of Tenex last? I use Ice, and it's holding up pretty well. I was always afraid Tenex would burn up pretty quick.
 
Tenex melts really fast. If you burn out of a tree with it once, it can potentially be done. I like the feel of it, but I don't like the low melting point.

I used to like ice until I found out that it is self abrading (BAD).

HRC and Beeline for me! XT or Michoacan for hitches.

-Tom
 
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