Self tending climbing system

[rich_h]

Hi Ann,

Thanks for the input. Your issue with the hitch rubbing on your anchor knot is definitely troubling. In the testing that has been done on this system I have tried just about every combination of hitch, anchor knot, spliced eye, cordage size, and hitch cord possible and have not found any set up that caused a problem. One thing I did not test was the size of the carabner up top. I think you might be right in thinking that the larger carabiner may be putting your anchor knot in a bad spot for your hitch to slide past. I would recommend switching your anchor knot to an anchor bend instead of using the fishermans knot which tends to be a bit bulkier. If this doesn't work, maybe try a smaller carabiner up top or a different size hitch cord to bring the hitch knot a little lower. Let me know how it works out for you.

 

[Mahk_Adams]

[ QUOTE ]
You and I came to the conclusion that the friction hitch was being bumped and loosening when using the achor bridge because I was left handed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Balderdash!!

Nothing wrong with being left-handed.

Try the arrangement shown in the attachment. Discard the spliced cord that has the thimble in it, and attach the carabiner on the end of the climbing line directly to the saddle. The rope in the photo has an eye splice, but you could use a scaffold or other attachment knot instead of the splice. This arrangement places the Scaffold knot close to the D ring of your saddle, away from the friction hitch.

If you need more photos (step-by-step or closeups) or more description let me know.

 

[AnnK]

Thanks for the suggestions, Rich and Mahk. I tried the modified method you showed in the picture and it worked pretty well for me. What sort of hitch are you using in the cord to attach the small caribeener to the climbing line? I used the Kliemholdst (way bad spelling, sorry) and it worked ok, though I could see room for improvement.

Thanks,

Ann

 

[Mahk_Adams]

[ QUOTE ]
I tried the modified method you showed in the picture and it worked pretty well for me.

[/ QUOTE ]


Actually I wouldn't call it a 'modofied' method, at least not a modified version of the Anchor Bridge. It's basically a quick draw and is borrowed from rock climbing. I've used it for 8 or ten years in this application. What I did borrow from the Anchor Bridge is girth-hitching the extension/quickdraw to the D ring (great idea Rich!) rather than attaching the extension with a carabiner.


[ QUOTE ]
What sort of hitch are you using in the cord to attach the small caribeener to the climbing line?

[/ QUOTE ]


The hitch is a two wrap, four coil prusik. The attachment shows a closeup.

Initially I wanted to attach the brass snap just to the string, and leave the string on the line whether the system was in the extended or in the short mode. But, the string could fall off when the system was in the short mode so I added the key chain carabiner to keep the string on the line.