figure 8 questions?

[TexasTreemonkey]

Does everybody still use the figure 8 to descend?? Somebody said it puts to much of a bind on the rope?

 

[oldirty]

the ropes kinks up a bit too much for my liking. i have one on my belt but rarely use the thing. its there though.

 

[joesawer]

I use a Munter hitch instead of a figure eight. I have to carry a caribener to fasten an 8 plate with any way, so it is one less thing to carry, and for me it is smoother.

 

[2FatGuys]

I carry one with me and usually do use it once I am ready for a long decent from the tree. Of course, my climbing is an extension of my mountaineering (climbing / rappelling) for many years and we used 8's all the time. There are a lot of things an 8 can do besides just slow down your decent. I have used it to control lowering smaller limbs from above. I also can "lock it off" during decent if I want to stop at a certain level and be "hands off" for a few. The 8 can be used on a double rope 1:1 decent, on a single rope 2:1, or on a single rope 1:1. An aluminum 8 dissipates heat well, so may be used for more rapid decents without harming ropes (like when bees are found... oops). Some ropes do wind up a bit when using an 8, but a properly prepared climber selects his equipment so that it works well together. In my case, I use Arbormaster rope and have never had any issues with the rope deforming. Start thinking of new uses for the 8. You may be able to justify the few ounces it adds to your saddle.

 

[woodchuck361]

I have 2 and use 1 I don't use the plain one much, the rescue is just too handy.

http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=62527&stc=1&d=1199934078
P_275.jpg

http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=62528&stc=1&d=1199934078
p_375.jpg

 

[Mikecutstrees]

I have one and use it often on simple removals. I will go up the tree removing limbs, take the top out and then tie off the stick with a pull rope then descend on that. I have a retired climbing line I use for this and I never pull with the truck with it, just by hand. Once in a while I'll set a second line on a big piece that is being lowered by a groundie and use the figure 8 to control the descent of the piece from above. An example of this might be when lowering a real big limb I'll use a small line to control the butt. So I use it quite a bit. Iv'e also used it on speed lines to control the speed of the chunk going down the line.

 

[ATH]

I do use an 8 to decend often. The biggest concern is that should you lose control, you will drop like a rock as the figure 8 needs you to pull back to appy the friction... (go unconcious on the decent, run into bees and freak out and start swatting with both hands, etc...) Other devices like a Petzl STOP or an I'D will stop if you let go.

To compensate for this, I control my decent speed with the figure 8 using my right hand. My left hand is on the friction knot, holding it loose enough to have little or no friction, but not tight enough in my hand to burn my glove. If I let go with both hands, the friction knot will stop me. You can also have somebody belay. A quick tub from the ground will stop you quickly. I could just use the knot, but the 8 is a smoother ride and less heat at my hand...probaly less wear on the rope too. On short decents, I do just use the knot.

Finally....PLEASE don't copy this technique just because you heard it from me!!! Without further verification, I don't see any problem with it, but nor have I seen it suggested anywhere else. I learned the ropes on the rock face, and never thought about a figure 8 letting you drop--probably because I usually had somebody on belay below (unless I was the first one down). I started leaving the friciton knot on to be my "failsafe" after I started climing trees. I'd be intereseted to hear what the guys who study the art of climbing have to say...

 

[ATH]

....There are a lot of things an 8 can do besides just slow down your decent. I have used it to control lowering smaller limbs from above....

This is a perfectly legit use of a figure 8, but should we be using the same 8 for climbing as used for rigging?

 

[JTinaTree]

I use my 8 to decend pretty often, I too loosen my blakes so there is little to no friction to prevent burn. It will still grab though if I need it too. I also used it to self rig some deadwood out of a poplar the other day, with the tail of my rope which I don't usually do.

I must say though I hate how it turns the rope into a twisted mess. But at least I can fly down without burning my rope up.

 

[Mitchell]

grigri

I I leave mine in the bag for he most part in favour of a gri gri. Thre gri gri passes the hands off test. I will drag it out now and then [more just to use it] if I am just running up to set a pull line and want to zip down.

 

[clearance]

Figure 8s are not allowed for lifeline use here. Been so for a few years.

 

[Davey Dog]

I use a munter hitch with a biner..... I keep a rescue 8 on my saddle, I think I have used it once since I bought the thing.

 

[2FatGuys]

This is a perfectly legit use of a figure 8, but should we be using the same 8 for climbing as used for rigging?

Notice... I said SMALL limbs. A great example is a maple I worked on a few weeks ago. It had two storage sheds under it, one on each side, a fence across the back of the tree, 4 feet away, and a shallow sewer line parrallel to the fence line, in front of the tree. This was a complete removal job and everything had to be roped out in fairly small pieces. I was able to rig a lot of the smaller stuff (less than 100#) from my position, as I moved around the tree, without having to interrupt a groundie from the rest of his work. I won't use my "lifeline" 8 on anything large enough to put undue stress on it.

 

[Adkpk]

I use my 8 below my blakes hitch to save ware on my split tail. One hand on my blakes and the other on the climbline below the 8 so my weight is not heating up the friction hitch.

 

[reachtreeservi]

I still use my alum. figure eight to descend , alot. Hold over from my rock climbing days. But I have seen the light , and will be replacing it
with a large Petzl ID the next order from Sherrill.

 

[oldirty]

i have 2 8's. the standard and the pirana. the standard hasnt come out of the toolbag since i got the pirana.

anyone else using the petzl pirana?

 

[DonnyO]

for descending

a munter hitch on an HMS 'biner is just as good as a fig8. you need the 'biner to use the 8 anyway, right? Isn't the idea to "go light". just extra stuff you don't need. still need to back up the munter with a friction hitch as you should on a fig8.

It was one of the first pieces of gear I ever bought, can't think of the last time I used it, It's at least ten yesrs old now.......

 

[RedlineIt]

Muenter Hitch is rope on rope friction, Figure 8 is not.

Surprised every time there is a thread like this that so many climbers are still using the Blakes or even more primordial split tail friction hitches.

Get an eye-to-eye loop everybody, and learn to tie a VT, a Knute, or a Distal!

You will never look back.


RedlineIt

 

[clearance]

Muenter Hitch is rope on rope friction, Figure 8 is not.

Surprised every time there is a thread like this that so many climbers are still using the Blakes or even more primordial split tail friction hitches.

Get an eye-to-eye loop everybody, and learn to tie a VT, a Knute, or a Distal!

You will never look back.


RedlineIt

Bowline for me Red! Stuck in the stone age, but it works. Primordial huh, I am not into history that far back, does that mean before the dinosaurs?

 

[reachtreeservi]

Muenter Hitch is rope on rope friction, Figure 8 is not.

Surprised every time there is a thread like this that so many climbers are still using the Blakes or even more primordial split tail friction hitches.

Get an eye-to-eye loop everybody, and learn to tie a VT, a Knute, or a Distal!

You will never look back.


RedlineIt

Y'all better listen to ol Red, Icetail eye to eyes , the V.T. and a Distal or two will change your life...


For the better !