Hello to all, I am new to the board and may not be up to date on if this has already been discussed . I was wondering if anyone can tell me the advantages of the corded friction hitch vs a split tail climbing system.
Corded friction hitch vs split tail
- Thread starter KellyG
- Start date
- Location
- Orange, MA
Are we talking mechanical vs. fiber climbing systems here, or single vs. double eye split tails?
Welcome to the 'Buzz', Kelly.
Here's my opinion:
A split tail has a bitter end with a stopper knot to prevent unravelling of the hitch. This, only one side, or leg, of the hitch is bearing the load. In a traditional doubled rope system, this would be 1/2 the climber's weight...With an eye to eye hitch cord (modern slack tending pulley system [self tailing, etc...]), both eyes terminate to a connector, thus each leg will support 1/4 the climber's weight.
The termination of both eyes allows for a much wider variety of hitch configurations. There's also a seemingly limitless number of hitch cord material/diameter/construction options. Many of these materials are able to withstand much more heat than a traditional split tail cord, giving the eye to eye hitch much more potential for longevity.
Using an eye to eye system allows the hitch to be positioned much closer to the bridge of the climber's saddle, facilitating tending of the hitch during lower rope angle limb walks, etc...this also carries over into vertical ascent situations in that the hitch does not limit how far the climber can reach on the working side of the line during upwards pulls. A proper hitch/climbline combination will make slack tending an absolute dream.
Modern hitch cord will allow easier progression into the popular SRT work positioning climbing systems.
Modern hitch cord can also make you more popular, and more fun at parties, unless it's a costume party and you want to dress up as a throwback. In that case, a split tail would be awesome.
By the way, I have seen some modern hitch cordage sold in split tail fashion, that is one eye and a bitter end. I think this could allow a higher performance cord to be used in a split tail mode. I have no experience with this. I used a closed system until moving into a Hitch Climber system.
Here's my opinion:
A split tail has a bitter end with a stopper knot to prevent unravelling of the hitch. This, only one side, or leg, of the hitch is bearing the load. In a traditional doubled rope system, this would be 1/2 the climber's weight...With an eye to eye hitch cord (modern slack tending pulley system [self tailing, etc...]), both eyes terminate to a connector, thus each leg will support 1/4 the climber's weight.
The termination of both eyes allows for a much wider variety of hitch configurations. There's also a seemingly limitless number of hitch cord material/diameter/construction options. Many of these materials are able to withstand much more heat than a traditional split tail cord, giving the eye to eye hitch much more potential for longevity.
Using an eye to eye system allows the hitch to be positioned much closer to the bridge of the climber's saddle, facilitating tending of the hitch during lower rope angle limb walks, etc...this also carries over into vertical ascent situations in that the hitch does not limit how far the climber can reach on the working side of the line during upwards pulls. A proper hitch/climbline combination will make slack tending an absolute dream.
Modern hitch cord will allow easier progression into the popular SRT work positioning climbing systems.
Modern hitch cord can also make you more popular, and more fun at parties, unless it's a costume party and you want to dress up as a throwback. In that case, a split tail would be awesome.
By the way, I have seen some modern hitch cordage sold in split tail fashion, that is one eye and a bitter end. I think this could allow a higher performance cord to be used in a split tail mode. I have no experience with this. I used a closed system until moving into a Hitch Climber system.
- Location
- North of Toronto
My co-worker bought a split tail of HRC for a blakes hitch. I told him it wouldn't work, it didn't. It bound far too tight to advance or descend after being loaded.
evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
yeah before i knew better I bought a single eye beeline split tail for climbing with a blakes and wound up putting a double fishermans on the other end and using it as an eye to eye. I was told at some point that for a blakes or tautline use a split tail that is the same diameter as your climbing line or one size larger.
Thanks for the info,(fiber , double -eye ) I am new to the hitch climbing system and give it the "sceptical eye" every time I tie it. I had some issue with it grabbing the other day and was ready to ditch it. Sounds like I should experiment with some other knots.
A good system to use when first using an E2E is a DMM Pinto pulley. All attachments can be made on a single HMS biner, and there will be nothing above the hitch to physically interfere with hitch engagement.
Kelly, what climbing line/hitch cord combination are you using?
Kelly, what climbing line/hitch cord combination are you using?
I get it now, I just needed a little run time in a big TD. I love the one handed slack tending capabilities of this system.
Sometimes you can teach an Old Dog new tricks
Sometimes you can teach an Old Dog new tricks
