What system am I using?

[JasperJoe]

Hello all. I just started recreational tree climbing this spring. I love it. I started out with a blakes hitch and a Pantin on my right foot. My system has evolved to where I now use a pantin on my right foot, a michocan hitch and HC pulley and a petzl handled ascender with a footloop. The handled ascender is above the hitch. I am really getting to like this setup as I can 'walk' up the rope but I havent seen and writeups on it? What would you call this system? Thanks

 

[jmcscrap]

Sounds like you are describing the treefrog system - just with the hitch used in place of the croll - and on DDRT instead of SRT.

 

[mattwisconsin]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's strongly advised not to use a mechanical ascender ABOVE a friction hitch. In the instance the handled ascender failed, it would push your hitch downwards.

 

[countryboypa31]

I don't think its so critical in a Ddrt system. But thats just my personal opinion.

 

[treebing]

[ QUOTE ]
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's strongly advised not to use a mechanical ascender ABOVE a friction hitch. In the instance the handled ascender failed, it would push your hitch downwards.

[/ QUOTE ]

this is a misconception.

 

[moss]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's strongly advised not to use a mechanical ascender ABOVE a friction hitch. In the instance the handled ascender failed, it would push your hitch downwards.

[/ QUOTE ]

this is a misconception.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed, the hitch should be set up so it grabs before the ascender (in a fail situation) hits it. Easy to test, if you load the hitch and the top of it hits the bottom of the ascender either lengthen the tether on the ascender or shorten/lower the hitch, whichever is easier.
-moss

 

[JasperJoe]

Great info. Thanks for the replies. I will have to look at the length of the tether more closely. The hitch did hit the bottom of the upper ascender on one climb when I was going around a limb. But at that point my weight was on the pantin. At this stage of climbing, I trust the hitches more than the mechanical ascenders. I only use ice tail eye n eyes that I splice myself.

 

[Raven]

Don't get crazy with the gear JJ. A rope and hitch cord is all you need to hip thrust up a tree. Leave the ascender out of that equation and KISS. For "walking" try footlocking your tail,....or.....SRT?

Listen to moss though, he's the ultimate gear guru.

 

[moss]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't get crazy with the gear JJ. A rope and hitch cord is all you need to hip thrust up a tree. Leave the ascender out of that equation and KISS. For "walking" try footlocking your tail,....or.....SRT?

Listen to moss though, he's the ultimate gear guru.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice comment Raven, though I'm exceeded in the gearhead dept. by Mr. Dunlap, Detroit 'Bing, Tree Machine and many others on the Buzz.

The biggest pitfall for climbers starting out is to get wrapped up in gear and complex technique. Best strategy IMHO is to learn the fundamentals with basic technique. Otherwise you'll end up later on with a pile of expensive do-dads that you'll never use. More importantly you're going to make all kinds of in-tree mistakes as you improve skills over the next few years, complex systems will not be your friend when you're attempting to recover from those mistakes.
-moss