Prussik ascending

[Bark eater]

As I said in my latter post I am new to the game (2nd yr climber) I have been using the footlock technique for ascending so far, I'm not a fan of the mechanical ascenders, nor do I enjoy humping my way up the tree, I have been told the answer to my dilemma is a hip Prussik, but frankly I don't know jack about them or how they work. Any advice on setup/use?

 

[Saw Dust Smoken]

rope prussic

Use the Advanced Search for double rope walker. Also for DRT use a foot ascender under hitch or prussic. A hand ascender could be used above also. Use leg power for ascending when possible. Pantin or CMI foot ascender.

 

[beastmaster]

As I said in my latter post I am new to the game (2nd yr climber) I have been using the footlock technique for ascending so far, I'm not a fan of the mechanical ascenders, nor do I enjoy humping my way up the tree, I have been told the answer to my dilemma is a hip Prussik, but frankly I don't know jack about them or how they work. Any advice on setup/use?

I am an accomplished footlocker. I footlock single or dd lines. I footlock 11mm single line everyday. I have a foot ascender but hardly ever use it. thinking about screwing it to my gaffs. My preferred method is a yo yo system with a footlock(SRT)instead of that foot loop thing. I have never ment another climber yet who knows how to foot lock, I am 54 years old(in a few weeks)learned how to do it on my own 25 years ago. It doesn't cost nothen, never breaks down, and you always have it with you. Master footlocking and with the right boots it fast and effortless, and can be combined with a lot of other technics to make them more user friendly.

 

[mcfly]

Look into a hitchclimber setup. http://treemagineers.com/downloads/hitch_climbers_guide.pdf

You can get a similar effect with just a pulley to advance your hitch. Keep the legs on the hitch as short as your comfortable with and ask you footlock up the pulley will advance the hitch.

When I first started climbing I was using a long prussic and body thrusting. When I switched to a short leg'd distel with a hitchclimber I found it way more efficient and enjoyable. All that being said though I kept wanting more and now I have a spiderjack2 and the only thing I miss about hitches is the fun I had splicing them.

 

[chunkymonkeyjon]

hi,

nearly everyone i know that climes uses a single line technique sometimes installing a shorter strop or using the other end of the climbing line for work positioning. most of the time the work horse is always the prussik or clemheist knot on a thinner cord usually 8/9mm.

you can use mechanics to get you up and down but they can be very dangerous if you dont use them correctly like if you braid a length of prussik cord inward of a micro pulley. means you can adjust the climbing line when decending with one hand but if ascending its easy to just pull yourself up and then pull the slack through with one hand. but if if you fall you would fall to the floor, not just when the prussik gets tight on the conventional method.

get a copy of the "tree climbers companion".

also check out the isc ropegrab you can use those when short stropping it on spikes.

i use the bodythrust with a prussik every day and have done for 5 years. smooth, easy to learn and to trust, can also be used cleverly for cradle rigging. and can use on both single and double line methods and with footlocking. hope this helps,
j

 

[pdqdl]

I am an accomplished footlocker. I footlock single or dd lines. I footlock 11mm single line everyday. ...

Dam. That is pretty hard core.

It's downright comical watching me attempting to footlock.

 

[sgreanbeans]

I think the mechanical devices are more for the bigger guys, they just get in my way. The pantin is cool when I am beat, but would rather just go on my own. I agree with Beasty, master foot locking and hip thrusting, then when ya show on a job and forgot......whatever little device, it doesn't send ya back to the shop. I use a swabish (sp?) prussik, I hip thrust and use the foot look to belay my line. My climber only climbed with gaffs when I got him (I have converted him from the darkside) Taught him how to foot lock, now he prefers it, even when he can wear gaffs, he dont, would rather go straight into space, and he is damn fast too, faster than I ever was. I have a bunch of the new, cool and hi-tech little devices, but to be honest, it is just more to get in the way. I just put my gri gri back in the shop, rather use the ol 2in1.

 

[Jace]

I think the mechanical devices are more for the bigger guys, they just get in my way. The pantin is cool when I am beat, but would rather just go on my own. I agree with Beasty, master foot locking and hip thrusting, then when ya show on a job and forgot......whatever little device, it doesn't send ya back to the shop. I use a swabish (sp?) prussik, I hip thrust and use the foot look to belay my line. My climber only climbed with gaffs when I got him (I have converted him from the darkside) Taught him how to foot lock, now he prefers it, even when he can wear gaffs, he dont, would rather go straight into space, and he is damn fast too, faster than I ever was. I have a bunch of the new, cool and hi-tech little devices, but to be honest, it is just more to get in the way. I just put my gri gri back in the shop, rather use the ol 2in1.

sgb, I've been trying the swabish some, not 100% sold on it just yet cause my descent is not all that smooth(probly just me), and if I ever wear (thin) gloves it yanks a chunk out of them every time descending. I used taughtline and Blakes in years past, but am trying to decide if I want to go on and stick with the swabbish or not. Does your climber use the swabbish as well, and likes it good?