use tail to setup secondary system

[snunyabizness]

was reminded indirectly that I had forgotten a nice technique for self tending ddrt with nothing more than an inline clove hitch. I just always chose srt vs hip thrusting ascents.

(ffwd to 6:20)

but it got me wondering why I am not using my tail as a secondary climbing system? Does anyone do this? Is it retrievable?

would be great for working little corners. could be fast/simple as with a bino-clove setup going to a blakes hitch.

 

[snunyabizness]

what techniques are folks using to setup climbing rope tail as a secondary system?

 

[pcpTR33]

All I use for the tail is a prussic and two carabiners could get away with just one in a pinch but it’s more streamlined with two if I’ll be working off the system. I’ve used my tail for controlled dragging tail or traversing awkward sections as well with a midline device. Retrieval is easy just untie and unclip and pull your tail down as if it were any other redirect.

 

[Evo]

I use my tail fairly often, sometimes with just a oldschool Blake’s.
Other times ill preset a prussic system and srt up base tied and get to my primary, pull up my tail and continue up advancing ddrt, while the groundie unties my base anchor.

 

[Tuebor]

Just don't get it stuck or you might not be able to get down.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

I second evo with the tail tied blakes hitch. Works like a charm.

 

[Tuebor]

Yoyoman would frequently climb with a friction sleeve and a Hitch Hiker pre-installed on his tail before he left the ground.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

Yoyoman would frequently climb with a friction sleeve and a Hitch Hiker pre-installed on his tail before he left the ground.

So he just had a second system pre installed on his tail? That's nifty.

 

[Tuebor]

Yep. He's got videos of his method somewhere... buried in these threads or on his YouTube channel.

 

[ghostice]

So lately I've been climbing still with my trusty double ended long lanyard which is stowable, and using a basal tie SRT line for access/ left for rescue, Lord forbid. If I'm doing anything much scootin' around a tree though, I still pull up a separate MRS line (fits back there beside the kitchen sink) with leather cambium saver and ZZ (an original that's getting almost as old as I am) because I still find it easier to use on my hands than even the Reflex (marginally) or AK2 (somewhat undialed in). Muggs had a short video somewhere where he uses extension cord clips to manage longer rope - neither of us maybe feel great about having loops of tat below us that could get caught up during cutting/ lowering. Anyone with more betterer ideas - please. Cheers

 

[Steve Connally]

I generally leave an access line That I run up initially on the Akimbo. I then keep the akimbo on my harness and will use it for the second system on the tail or if I spike my MRS system and need a device to ascend back up.

 

[Jehinten]

I've occasionally used my tail with a Blake's to advance. But but Typically if its used, we just toss it further out on a longer limb or to transfer to another tree, then have the groundie hold it and rappel down the line (SRT) drifting to where we need to be.

 

[ClimbingTN]

I really didn’t like using my tail. I have had to bail out because of hornets, water pouring out of cut and my gut telling me something not right. First two obvious and didn’t climb that day after the 3rd one. I have been using an access line with my Vertec for several months now. I bring up my working line with RW ready to go. I prefer a short lanyard. I’ll use a 2nd long one occasionally. I don’t come off rope anymore either. I don’t do production work and I’m slow.

 

[xovrin388]

Keeping it simple with a Blake's on the tail is such an underrated move for quick work positioning. Doesn't take up extra gear space and just works when you need that extra stability.

 

[Serf Life]

I really didn’t like using my tail. I have had to bail out because of hornets, water pouring out of cut and my gut telling me something not right. First two obvious and didn’t climb that day after the 3rd one. I have been using an access line with my Vertec for several months now. I bring up my working line with RW ready to go. I prefer a short lanyard. I’ll use a 2nd long one occasionally. I don’t come off rope anymore either. I don’t do production work and I’m slow.

I agree, any time I don't have an immediate means of exit is not a fav. Very occasionally use tail with Blakes, but a small diameter long lanyard in a ditty bag feels cleaner if planned ahead. But I am more of a scramble out there and get it done climber, which is fast but not always comfortable...

 

[Gary M.]

was reminded indirectly that I had forgotten a nice technique for self tending ddrt with nothing more than an inline clove hitch. I just always chose srt vs hip thrusting ascents.

(ffwd to 6:20)

but it got me wondering why I am not using my tail as a secondary climbing system? Does anyone do this? Is it retrievable?

would be great for working little corners. could be fast/simple as with a bino-clove setup going to a blakes hitch.

I always use Bino's self-tending hitch when MRS climbing. I've watched that video (and many others of his) and always wonder why he doesn't use foot and knee ascenders for MRS climbing.

I always do unless going a very short distance.

 

[Treezybreez]

I use my tail fairly often, sometimes with just a oldschool Blake’s.
Other times ill preset a prussic system and srt up base tied and get to my primary, pull up my tail and continue up advancing ddrt, while the groundie unties my base anchor.

I use the Blake’s as well. The fun part is remembering how to tie it.

 

[Evo]

I use the Blake’s as well. The fun part is remembering how to tie it.

Aye, I’ll still do it just so I don’t forget! Biggest issue I’ve come up across is some ropes really don’t like a Blake’s. Things like xstatic

 

[southsoundtree]

I just saw the trick for a self- tending Blake's... the tail of the hitch gets tied like a sheet bend on the termination side of the rope, pulling up the Blake as one climbs.


Previously, I'd seen a Blake's tied with another Blake's to self tend.


I have used zero Blake's.

 

[Matias]

I just saw a trick for a self- tending Blake's... the tail of the hitch gets tied like a sheet bend on the termination side of the rope, pulling up the Blake as one climbs.

I thought that trick was really creative