hitch climber

[SWAMPY036]

I just ordered one and started to think, when you have this hooked in close to bridge to limbwalk. Do you guys hook on a ring or swivel to try to keep it from twisting. On the TCIA rec climb I ascended on OTG's. It was real smooth I was just wondering if anyone has problems hooking carb. right to hitch climber/ bridge. pics would be great

 

[OTG BOSTON]

shouldn't be a problem to use it as you describe, i'll work on getting some pics up.

 

[SWAMPY036]

It showed up this morning tinkered with it, then when a break in the rain showed. I went a did a limb removal on a silver maple. Probably 60 foot to the tie in hit it first try (thank you big shot). did a foot lock /hip thrust. This pulley rocks. Set my rigging. Re attached pulley directly to the bridge walked out on the branch took smaller peaces. Pulled my gear out of the tree and done in 45 min. I was thinking 1/1.5 hrs. For how simple this set up is it sure makes a big difference.

 

[Magnum783]

Please post a pic of how you set it up. I would really like to know?
Jared

 

[SWAMPY036]

it is a eye/eye 8mm be line distel on arbormaster blue white climb line and when assendingI tie a pice of 10mm be line about 3 ' just so I can reach the top of the distel. Get to your area in the tree hook in to saddle and everything is in close.

 

[SWAMPY036]

Idont know how to post pics but I did try

 

[Magnum783]

thanks man I will be waiting for you to figure it out.
Jared

 

[pigwot]

I have a set of Rich Hattier's anchor bridge. Works well in place of that 3' knotted beeline and quickly adjusts from hauling self up tree to work position, too.

 

[DonnyO]

I have a set of Rich Hattier's anchor bridge. Works well in place of that 3' knotted beeline and quickly adjusts from hauling self up tree to work position, too.

the hitchclimber is superior IMO, the anchorbridge uses a pulley, which a hitchclimber is, and also requires a snap and two lengths of rope.

 

[pigwot]

the hitchclimber is superior IMO, the anchorbridge uses a pulley, which a hitchclimber is, and also requires a snap and two lengths of rope.

DonnyO,
Agreed. It is more equipment to carry along, and all that kit can get messy, and the crabs can cross when slack, and... So, I just ordered a Hitch Climber and a couple of Petzl OKs; Nick's making me up some shorter Icetail eye-eyes (for use of Michoacan), and I'll be giving it a go. Which hitch is everyone finding they prefer with the Hitch Climber? I have been using the VT with the Anchor-Bridge setup. Who says an old dog can't be led to learn new tricks? I thought I was doing well to incorporate a closed hitch, split tails, and the anchor-bridge into my repertoire. (Actually I wouldn't have the energy to haul myself around five large trees in a day without them!) I shake my head to think I started on manila with homemade rope saddle and lanyards nearly 30 years ago.
The thread on using a Ropeman or prussik and pulling a length of line through ones attachment point on the saddle to get the HC/hitch away far enough to haul oneself up into the tree looks awkward (Not sure if I saw that thread here or TreeBuzz or TreeHouse). I was thinking of using one of the extensions from the anchor-bridge to move the hitch away from me a set distance until I reach my TIP. Any thoughts? Anyone try that?
--Pat

 

[DonnyO]

DonnyO,
Agreed. It is more equipment to carry along, and all that kit can get messy, and the crabs can cross when slack, and... So, I just ordered a Hitch Climber and a couple of Petzl OKs; Nick's making me up some shorter Icetail eye-eyes (for use of Michoacan), and I'll be giving it a go. Which hitch is everyone finding they prefer with the Hitch Climber? I have been using the VT with the Anchor-Bridge setup. Who says an old dog can't be led to learn new tricks? I thought I was doing well to incorporate a closed hitch, split tails, and the anchor-bridge into my repertoire. (Actually I wouldn't have the energy to haul myself around five large trees in a day without them!) I shake my head to think I started on manila with homemade rope saddle and lanyards nearly 30 years ago.
The thread on using a Ropeman or prussik and pulling a length of line through ones attachment point on the saddle to get the HC/hitch away far enough to haul oneself up into the tree looks awkward (Not sure if I saw that thread here or TreeBuzz or TreeHouse). I was thinking of using one of the extensions from the anchor-bridge to move the hitch away from me a set distance until I reach my TIP. Any thoughts? Anyone try that?
--Pat

I'd have to say: call Rich H and have him splice you up a custom "mini whoppie sling''......or figure out a length that works for you and do it yourself.

I use a distel hitch because it is a self tending hitch and is basically a taughtline tied with an eye-n-eye, so I won't mess it up. My next fav. hitch is a scwabish because it is basically an asyemetrecal prussic which is also hard to mess up.......

 

[SWAMPY036]

Donny O what cord do you use and what is the length. I use a 30" eye and eye bee line. When hip thrusting or pulling some extra slack out of my line I have noticed the bee line will slip before it grabs. I think that is because it is so stiff. I also think 30" is to long but not sure how much shorter to go

 

[pigwot]

I'm having Nick make up 26" and 27" eye to eyes for me, based on what I have read here and other places that longer legs on the hitch keeps them from grabbing quickly. My current standard hitch is 30" Beeline.

 

[DonnyO]

Donny O what cord do you use and what is the length. I use a 30" eye and eye bee line. When hip thrusting or pulling some extra slack out of my line I have noticed the bee line will slip before it grabs. I think that is because it is so stiff. I also think 30" is to long but not sure how much shorter to go

24'' eye-n-eye tenex. this is important because the friction hitch must rest above the termination of the climbing line. if you dont have a spliced eye on your climb line, or if the hitch gets pulled completely below the termination of the climb line, it will get hung up and slip as you describe. make sense?

 

[SWAMPY036]

Yes I know what you mean. I have a spliced eye in climb line but I have found it is very important that your girth hitch be placed with the bar away from your hitch. This will also get hung up. I will be getting some 24" eye and eye ice tail.

 

[DonnyO]

Yes I know what you mean. I have a spliced eye in climb line but I have found it is very important that your girth hitch be placed with the bar away from your hitch. This will also get hung up. I will be getting some 24" eye and eye ice tail.

another important point I forgot to make. Like anything else, the hitchclimber takes some getting used to to work out the kinks.