Ghillie 'fessed up, so will I...

[Bermie]

Not nearly as dangerous, but...

My uh oh this week was not checking my VT before stepping off a branch to go down a bit...wheeee...bloody hell! I could hear my line go whhzzziippppp, through the knot, luckily I had my hand on the top and was able to instinctively flick it up and stop after about 6'!!!!

I have a knot on the other carabiner, been using the VT for two years just fine, check that the knot isn't interfering and all is well...I had untied my hitch cord to inspect it and clean it, and retying always take a little while to settle back in, I think I needed another wrap because it has been a bit finicky this week...I did not take the time to make sure it was perfect, just got on with the work, MISTAKE...I did not visual it before launching off, it had gotten a bit too slack and did not grip...until I flicked it back up.

Watch out for the VT, it can bite you, take the time to make sure its just right!!!

 

[tree md]

It's the weirdest thing, when I first started climbing on the VT I couldn't get it to bite at all without manually setting the knot. I fiddled with it a little bit and it started biting but not as well as I would have liked. After maybe 6 climbs with it it started biting every time without fail. I mean I can step off with it anywhere and have total confidence that it will bite. I can tend slack as I climb, thrust, whatever and it always bites without fail. I wonder if the HRC just needed to break in when I first started out on it?

Anyway, glad your OK Bermie.

 

[Adkpk]

If I tie my VT with six wraps instead of seven...

.....it doesn't grip at all!


Glad to hear you're OK.

Six wraps?

If I stop to work for any length of time I lean back on the knot to make sure it's set.

 

[treeseer]

that happens with the prusik tautline too, once in a great while. :jawdrop:

 

[2FatGuys]

I think we've all probably had that "skidmarks in the undies" moment when our hitch (whichever one you use) decide to take it's sweet time to bite. For me, I had it happen once too many times with the VT so I use the Distel now.

Glad to hear you are OK!

 

[Bermie]

Fortunately the only thing dented was my pride, HO was watching...
I made the mistake of not taking the time to add the extra wrap I kinda knew I needed...
First time...LAST time!!

 

[tree MDS]

Not nearly as dangerous, but...

My uh oh this week was not checking my VT before stepping off a branch to go down a bit...wheeee...bloody hell! I could hear my line go whhzzziippppp, through the knot, luckily I had my hand on the top and was able to instinctively flick it up and stop after about 6'!!!!

I have a knot on the other carabiner, been using the VT for two years just fine, check that the knot isn't interfering and all is well...I had untied my hitch cord to inspect it and clean it, and retying always take a little while to settle back in, I think I needed another wrap because it has been a bit finicky this week...I did not take the time to make sure it was perfect, just got on with the work, MISTAKE...I did not visual it before launching off, it had gotten a bit too slack and did not grip...until I flicked it back up.

Watch out for the VT, it can bite you, take the time to make sure its just right!!!

This is exactly why I keep an eye on mine to make sure its got a bite.. still love it though!

 

[Bermie]

This is exactly why I keep an eye on mine to make sure its got a bite.. still love it though!

Yup...can't see going back to anything else