Sherrill says the VT is unsafe to climb on?

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I might have missed something - what's an XT?

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It's a VT variation. You reverse the direction of the leg that comes from the bottom of the wraps before doing the braid. Does that make sense?
 
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I might have missed something - what's an XT?

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It's a VT variation. You reverse the direction of the leg that comes from the bottom of the wraps before doing the braid. Does that make sense?

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I think there is more to the XT than that.

A photo that belongs to my friend, Carl:

227010-XT2005.jpg
 

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That's not how I tie an XT. I just twist the second braid an xtra turn, everything else is standard VT. I agree with Rich, it's just enough better at resetting itself that it transforms the VT into a perfect hitch.
 
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If it's the perfect hitch I got to get it straight. 4 wraps 3 braids and a extra twist in the second braid?

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That's my interpretation, I'm not saying it's right though.

You know how it is, everybody is different but I went from being really happy but a little bit skeered with a VT to just really really happy with the XT.

I have pictures of it tied with the extra twist in the FIRST braid rather than the second. I have a long prusik cord right now and it works better on the second braid. It works just as well with shorter hitch cords and you can try the extra twist part out in different places.

3 angles, same hitch...

XT-Hitch_1.jpg



XT-Hitch_2.jpg



XT-Hitch_3.jpg
 
Hey Guys,


All these hitches can be dangerous if not TDS'd right! The length of the split tail and the configuration of wraps and crossovers. Really it comes down to climber weight, preference and skill level. Not to mention passion for what we do. The XT hitch was invented by a good friend of mine, Brian Mc Govern and is just a variation of twisting the crossovers on a VT. I have always ran a VT with 3 wraps and 3 crossovers, however, I have my exact measurement for the split tail that works for my climbing style/ weight, etc...
I also come into my tender pulley on the top side with my eyes from the split tail, most climbers I have seen come into the tender pulley underneath.
I have seen people run hitches as back-ups so loose that they would never lock in an emergency. So as long as you back up an ascender with a non-functional hitch, you are good to go! Sure, it might eventually catch your fall... The Cinch used as a flipline setup is fine as long as you don't fall more than three feet! Have these hitch configurations been tested with different cordage/ wraps/ crossovers/ length of cordage, and cordage diameter/ type/ construction? Who does it and where are the results/ specs?

Just interested to know what is right or wrong, weak or strong? X-maniac
 
X, you make a good point. These hitches need to be custom fitted to the individual climber using them. What works for me, may not work for someone else.

My problem is for Sherrill to make a blanket statement and say that they are unsafe to climb on. A little better wordage could have been used.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If it's the perfect hitch I got to get it straight. 4 wraps 3 braids and a extra twist in the second braid?

[/ QUOTE ]

That's my interpretation, I'm not saying it's right though.

You know how it is, everybody is different but I went from being really happy but a little bit skeered with a VT to just really really happy with the XT.

I have pictures of it tied with the extra twist in the FIRST braid rather than the second. I have a long prusik cord right now and it works better on the second braid. It works just as well with shorter hitch cords and you can try the extra twist part out in different places.

3 angles, same hitch...

XT-Hitch_1.jpg



That's how I tie mine, but only 2 braids, not 3. So, my eye&eye is a little shorter, and it's HRC. This hitch works the best for me on Tachyon.

Great point on the length of the eye&eye. It's different for every climber.
 
talking about vt-variations...

I once found a website or pdf-file (don't remember) that explained the VT in combination with the knut and other friction hitches.

Problem: can't find it back...

Can someone help me find it back?

Thanx

BTW: VT in combination with knut is a greeeaaat knot !
 
So I have noticed, that people are using preswick's with knots on each end. So what's up with this, make it the length that you want? Is that a scafold knot?

Pros and cons?
 
Those are just hand tied eye&eye split tails as opposed to spliced ones. That not used to be called a fisherman's knot, I have heard grape vine knot, etc. I think a scaffold is the same, not real sure about that though. I still call it a fisherman's knot.
 
The way it was explained to me, it's a fisherman's bend if tying two ropes together and it's a scaffold hitch if you tie it onto something. That was the first Ocean Dyneema I'd ever tried so I didn't splice it.
 
Treespotter said:
I like to climb on a short 4 wrap Valdotain. One of the two legs is in a ropeman so I can adjust it while climbing. I can imagine that when the legs are to long, the Valdotain is less safe than a Prussic.

226238-_mg_7795.jpg
Click to expand...

This is a really interesting old post. Thanks for posting the photograph. This is the first time I've ever seen anyone suggest a way to make the length of a hitch cord adjustable without having to re-tie the knots. This is a really great idea, and I wonder if you still use this technique six years later, or if you've abandoned it for some reason.

Thanks in advance for your time. Really glad to see you are still on the forum after all this time, too, by the way.

Tim
 
@Brocky; Thanks. I had not even noticed what you observed in that post; thanks for the comment.

Also, what the heck is the device you have featured in your avatar photo? Pretty cool looking. Thanks in advance.

Tim
 
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