Hitch questions and other general gripes.

C

crownlessagain

Ok... so I started off on the Blake's which is my go to knot but I've been experimenting with (and liking) some other hitches. I've got a 30" beeline eye-to-eye prusik cord which I use to tie the Schwabisch or the Distel. I prefer these knots to the Blake's but I have a problem with the hitch heating up very quickly in the course of normal climbing descents. I'm not zipping out of trees at high speed mind you, regular descents between branches seem to heat up the knot very quickly. I have a feeling that the standard issue hi-vee that I climb on might be part of the problem. I tend to think that you guys that are using these hitches are climbing off of
smaller diameter slicker rope... this brings me to my gripe. In my workplace anything but the standard split tail and blake's hitch combo infuriates the general foreman. I had the misfortune of him catching me with a micro pulley and it resulted in something like "take that stupid f**cking thing off right now before I rip your bleeping head off." I was wondering if you guys here are in that kind of cowboy environment or if you work with people that are excited about climbing and innovation. Also, I want to know what length rope is good for the V.T. My 30" seems too short to tie it with. Be safe. - Luke
 
With that attitude it may be time to move on. As long as the hitch you use meets safety requirements and you have enough time as a climber to use and take advantage of it I see no reason why you can't!!!
 
I worked for a guy that talked down almost everything new that might be happening with climbing. I started to get the feeling that he just didnt want me to know more than he did. He even tried to talk me out of taking the arb cert test because he had failed it.

Jump ship. find a place you can grow.
 
I agree that a guy who doesn't want you to use a micropulley might be a good guy to leave behind.

As far as your tail, there are lots of factors that make a prussik-type hitch work well. The size of both ropes is important, and the other main factor is the number of wraps.

A different diameter of climbing line might help, but usually I just try one wrap more or less and/or one twist more or less until things seem to feel right. It seems to work best when the optimum number of wraps leaves the tails fairly short. Of course, the hitch you use can change things, as well. A distal or swabisch seem to work well if the cord seems a little long, since they can be dressed on the line and hold their shape and position better than a VT,
 
CLA,

I have a 30" Beeline, among other prussik cords, I tie it VT on good ol full 1/2" Samson ArborMaster, I find it plenty long enough. Smaller cord does heat up quicker, but also dissipates more quickly. I've never had my Beeline scorch yet, are you a big fellow? I go 165, boots on. I've also found it heats less on a rappel if I yank it real loose for descent, then let it grab, than if I barely tweak down on it and descend with braking force. That might not be for everyone.

I've worked in a "cowboy" atmosphere like you describe. When you can, move on.

When I was interviewing with prospective new companies, the smartest thing I did was ask if I could get the address of a job the crew would be on the next morning, so I could show up and see how they work.


Northwind
 
Your larger diameter climbing line will heat your hitch up faster because there's more surface area hence more friction.

As for your foreman, he sucks the big one. He should be encouraging you to "branch out" not yelling.

With the economy being what it is i would be cautious about jumping ship right away. See if you can work around him or go over his head. Explain to his superior the benefits of an updated climbing system, making a lot of references to "efficency" and "bottom line". That's all most non climbing owners think about. I would be more then happy to help you form a presentation of sorts if you think it will help.

I had to talk my boss into non spike pruning years ago so I have a ton of experience dealing with this crap. Now, anytime I want something new or feel that a change is in order I make sure to put it into dollars and cents. I've even gone as far as charts and graphs. Visuals help a lot. Email me if you need any help.

If all else fail you could find a better company.
 
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I've even gone as far as charts and graphs.

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Wait, did a prius driver just call ME a nerd?

I just calculated your chance for survival when I see you.... It doesn't look good. I'll put it in both bar and pie graph form. Either way the end result doesn't look good for you
 
Thanks for the info guys... I am actually planning on moving on back down south where I came from as soon as possible. I do believe that my general foreman is an excellent climber and a safe tree worker so I mean him no disrespect with my comments.
That being said he is basically a raging jackass when it comes to his treatment of climbers that he considers beneath him... in response to a few of the comments: no I'm not a big guy, about 175 soaking wet... and we have no safety supervisor... I talked to the owner about the position and he informed me "it is open and we are looking for candidates." I applied for it about six months ago. Still no safety supervisor. I don't mean to be down on my job at all... I am very appreciative of all that I've learned there... I'm just in the market for a more professional place of business. If any of you guys are familiar with the lynchburg/bedford/roanoke area of Virginia let me know... that is where I am going. Continue to work safe
and God bless - Luke
 
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