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I've seen other threads where guys are using a pulley to tend, but it seemed to have been met with mixed reviews. I haven't tried it myself, but if there is one drawback to the hitch hiker, I would say how difficult it can be at times to tend slack, so this would be a great thing.
So what's the final word on the pulley add-on?
I don't have one otherwise I would just try it myself. How long can an aluminum pulley be expected to last in the mish-mash of hitch hiker steel?
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This is assuming that all HH users are tending the unit from a connection point on the top of the carabiner with some sort of arched rubber/leather strip, etc...
What I gather from some full-time HH users is that to ease slack tending, you need to have the HH connected to your Chest Harness, Lanyard Over The Shoulder, Holder Upper Thingy, etc... It also sounds as though whatever chest tending system is used, having some elasticity to it will allow the HH to remain connected in a variety of body positions other than vertical. By keeping the HH carabiner up or "tended", when you tail the line from below, it will facilitate the release of the carabiner's pressure on the HH Body, allowing that pinch point to open and for the rope to glide through. I sure find it difficult to explain, so I hope this helps.
One of the reasons that I do not use the HH more often is that without a pulley, dropping through a suitable branch union and leaving my tail behind (pony tail) is difficult once my line loads up in the union. I must dump a long enough bight through in advance, rather than my descent pulling the bight as I go.
Beyond that, Paul has created a really cool device!
