Friction Hitch Options?

R

RexMan

Location
NE Ohio
I started climbing 6 years ago using an SRT system. I'm self taught on SRT and thought I was pretty efficent at it. I've worked for myself from the get-go so I never experienced any other climbing styles/systems. Just 2 months ago I started working for another company and the other climber there used DRT. I'm not slow compaired to the other climber, about even progression wise. Now that I have seen DRT in action, it seems like a more simple climbing system in the fact that you don't need all the do-dads associated w/ SRT. This last week I've been climbing on a Blakes and like how quickly, and simply I can move the hitch. My question is, what are the benifits/shortfalls of other friction hitches that are being used, VT, ect. I like for myself to be able to move the friction hitch quickly, as I guess that's my climbing style. Also is the blakes good for footlocking? Any opinions you guys/girls can give would be much appriciated.
 
I started on the blakes. It's a good hitch but I moved to a vt, and not looking back. The VT is "sensitive" and takes a little fine tuning. It nearly self tends slack, and if you foot lock the tail you don't have to touch the hitch at all.
I'd recommend buying a 4' piece of hitch cord and tie double fishermans in the ends. That way you can untie and retie until you find what ever length works for you (prob 30" or so). The VT may slip a little in thick brush, and you may have to set it to hold while finding the right length and # of wraps that work for you.
 
Thanks for the input Evo! Why does it slip in thick brush? From being pushed down by it? I'm climbing poison ivy line, any recomendations on what friction cord to use?
 
I use 8 mm bee line on bluemoon (sameish as pi). It seems like it takes less to break the hitch to decend. So if your hanging on it and a limb rubs on the hitch it may slip a little.
 
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how were you working the tree Srt before you came across ddrt?

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I was still climbing on poision ivy rope. Petzl sequoia belt w/ a petzl I'D attached to it ( used it for up, down and lock-off). Topped of by an ascention handle w/ a fixe pully (so I was pulling the slack down rather than up) and a footcord.
 
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Thanks for the input Evo! Why does it slip in thick brush? From being pushed down by it? I'm climbing poison ivy line, any recomendations on what friction cord to use?

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I use HRC with PI and i love it
 
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Also is the blakes good for footlocking? Any opinions you guys/girls can give would be much appriciated.

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Not footlocking a double line. A Klemheist or English Prussic are more preferable knots.

You can footlock your tail rope when using a Blakes.
 
I suppose what I'm asking is if there is a good all around hitch that works for everything, or if you have to ascend w/ 1 and move/position with another?

And yes, I was climbing RADS Jeff
 
RexMan, you should hit up the next Ohio Chapter tree climbing comp. You can learn a lot, and I know Ohio has a number of good climbers that compete every year. I learn something new every comp I go to and most of the climbers are eager to share info.
 
RexMan, you may be the first climber ever to start with SRT and switch to DdRT. I like 5/16 HRC with a distel hitch on most any rope. Where in OH are ya?
 
thats what I was thinking. seems like in general the momentum is the other way! but Yeah either way you got to know dDrt to really work in all situations.
 
I've never used the vt I hear it's good but slick. When I came off the blake I was using swabish or distel with my ice. But I'm now on the knute(sp?) and friends say it's just as smooth as the vt but a bit less aggressive than the vt
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone has given. Yeah, I suppose its kinda backwards going from SRT to dRT now that I'm thinking about it. But I think my situation is different from many. I never worked for anyone before so I never learned the "tried but true" way of climbing dRT. I wish I would have now because I have tons of lute wrapped up in my SRT gear, hind site is always 20/20 I guess. I've just come to find double rope suits the way I climb better than single. I'm thinking that I'm going to have to go to the pin oak in my front yard and try all these hitches out to find the one I like. Just sucks that it's 20 degrees here with 30mph winds (really stunk climbing today). Jerry, I'm from northeast Ohio about an hour away from Cleveland and I work in Pittsburg.
 
You have the right idea, you've got to try different knots and cords with your rope to find the best combo. Try tying them all inside first so you don't have to sort that part out in the cold anyway.

Just curious, what rope are you using?
 
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