I am new to the Valdotain Tresse. I normaly climb on a blakes hitch but have recently been expirementing with a VT. So far i relly like its smothness. I could be wrong but I think I saw in the past someones variation of the VT and it was almost self tailing. what I mean is after a climber got so much rope under them your tail would feed freely through te prusik when you would take your weight off of it. Currently I have to manually advance it (with a micro pully)i dont have to break it just advance it.Is there a way the vt can be self tailing? I am using tacyion and HRC. Thanks for any advise.
New to the VT
- Thread starter wilson
- Start date
- Location
- Austin, TX
This just boils down to tinkering. Get the right length of cord and the right number of wraps and you get a really nice grab that easily releases for self tailing. Too long/not enough wraps, it won't hold. Too short/too many wraps and it will be really grabby and won't self-tail. The type of cord will change things, as well, but you should be able to find the right friction with the tachyon/HRC combo.
Don't forget, till you work out the kinks, stay low and slow.
Don't forget, till you work out the kinks, stay low and slow.
chris_girard
Branched out member
- Location
- Gilmanton, N.H.
I agree totally with what Babberney says. When it comes to the VT, it’s a very individual thing.
I personally find what works best for me is a Tachyon/OP combo. The Ocean Polyester is 10 mm thick and 32" long with eye-to-eye splices.
I use a 4-wrap, 3-braid combo with a HitchClimber pulley. My Tachyon line has eye splices in it also. Together this system for me is flawless, though I am still aware of the subtleties of the VT and “mind” the hitch continuously. In other words, I constantly watch and see what the hitch looks like before just sitting back on it while climbing.
I am 5’-10” tall and weigh 168lbs and the above combo is what I have found works for me.
I personally find what works best for me is a Tachyon/OP combo. The Ocean Polyester is 10 mm thick and 32" long with eye-to-eye splices.
I use a 4-wrap, 3-braid combo with a HitchClimber pulley. My Tachyon line has eye splices in it also. Together this system for me is flawless, though I am still aware of the subtleties of the VT and “mind” the hitch continuously. In other words, I constantly watch and see what the hitch looks like before just sitting back on it while climbing.
I am 5’-10” tall and weigh 168lbs and the above combo is what I have found works for me.
chris_girard
Branched out member
- Location
- Gilmanton, N.H.
Yes, it self-tails fine as long as it's not set too tight.
Like I said, you just have to watch it closely as you're working.
Like I said, you just have to watch it closely as you're working.
- Location
- Milwaukee, WI
You might like the michoacan. Check out this article of hitches.
http://www.isa-arbor.com/publications/arbNews/pdfs/Apr07-cc.pdf
http://www.isa-arbor.com/publications/arbNews/pdfs/Apr07-cc.pdf
moss
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Carlisle, Massachusetts, U.S.
[ QUOTE ]
Yes, it self-tails fine as long as it's not set too tight.
Like I said, you just have to watch it closely as you're working.
[/ QUOTE ]
Assuming your hitch is well tuned you still need enough rope weight below you to get good tailing, higher you go, the better it tails. It's a balancing act, if it tails too well the hitch probably won't set without pushing the wraps up by hand. If you're using a Pantin or CMI foot ascender that'll help with tailing when you're too low for the rope weight to kick in.
-moss
Yes, it self-tails fine as long as it's not set too tight.
Like I said, you just have to watch it closely as you're working.
[/ QUOTE ]
Assuming your hitch is well tuned you still need enough rope weight below you to get good tailing, higher you go, the better it tails. It's a balancing act, if it tails too well the hitch probably won't set without pushing the wraps up by hand. If you're using a Pantin or CMI foot ascender that'll help with tailing when you're too low for the rope weight to kick in.
-moss
