Split tail climbing

[Nailsbeats]

I set up for some split tail climbing yesterday. This was the first time I ever tried it, didn't care for it. I have been fixed tail climbing for 15 years. Seems to me split tail takes longer to tie in, plus more gear hanging around to get in the way. I have seen many setups, but all seem to have more steps to tie in than fixed tail. Am I crazy for thinking this, or just crazy for asking?

 

[CharlieK]

I have used a split tail on a few occasions. Normally, I don't.

It has the advantage of being easy to move around a branch while going up. It can safe a ton of time in a cluttered tree.

I don't like it because you have extra hardware at your belly. It seems to clutter up the lines and changes the amount of slack in the knot. It really is different feeling, and usually that is bad. I need to feel right to be productive, and different usually doesn't feel right.

But, if you are gonna tie in and climb up, with a lot of branches above you, a split tail is a great way to go.

I am curious to hear what others say....
Charlie K.

 

[Dadatwins]

It will take some period of adjustment to get used to it, but it is a much better system. First time you can redirect past a limb without dragging all your rope through the tree you will see the benefit. I was fixed tail with knots and tautline and a locking snap clip for many years before trying some new methods. Now my split tail is a distel, my eyes are spliced and carabiners rule. It does take a few climbs to get used to but don't give up, you will get used to it and learn it saves you time and energy. I practiced in my garage hanging from a beam and in some backyard trees until I felt really comfortable with the new configuration. Now I can't see doing it the old way any more. Good luck.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I started rope climbing on an old buck saddle with center D-ring, Arborplex on a snap with a taughtline. At first the split tail seemed funny because I had 2 connections on the one D. The I got to love the ability to recrotch w/o a retie.

Now I climb on a 11mm line with a VT using 3/8 cord, it tends slack so much better, footlocks very easy and makes it frustrating when I drop a cord, or forget a second one in a big tree and need to climb on a Blakes tide to the saddle.

Having a higher end saddle helps too, the divided attachment points on my Buck'Master are great.

Sometimes you need to see these things in action for your mind to click, or have that minor shift of paradigm.

 

[hornett224]

it's the only way i climb.

i switched over because it saves me a ton of time in swamp maples and the like. i had no problem getting comfortable with it.

 

[kkottemann]

I switched to spit tail slowly, took about a year to accept it. I still use a single tail/tautline method when working pines with a crane, but when I have to really climb and move about a wide spreading oak or something the split tail is the way to go. I use the distel with a microsender to advance the hitch. A much easier way to go.

 

[oldirty]

like anything bud, it takes time.

once you get it together running that split tail you'll love it every minute of it. no more pulling all that rope through the tree, quicker position change. its awesome, and i am only on the blakes. i cant wait to move onto the prussic/martin.


and not for nothing kkott but i have found it much easier to run the splittail for crane work. ( i say this in the least offensive way possible mind you....lol)


i dont know, i am just glad that i dont climb the way i used to. sometimes i have to do it the old way if i tie in twice with the same line and it gives me a chance to reflect on the evolution of my climbing.


give the split tail a chance. you wont look back.

 

[Nailsbeats]

Thanks for the replies guys. It does take more time/steps to tie in though, doesn't it? or am I missing something?
I kept my splittail and a climbing line set up for it, also the micropulley with swivel snap, I will give it a few more tries.
One thing, on a big spread out tree I will use multiple climbing lines so I am not pulling rope through a lot.

 

[beastmaster]

Don't give up on it yet. I changed over last year after 20 years of using the tail of my climbing line. I would never go back. It took a while to get use to though. I use 11mm climbing line with a pulley and blade hitch. That pulley make things a lot easier also as you can advance your knot one handed. I don't see no reason to go back. give it some time, your just use to your old system, you'll soon get use to the split tail also and all its advantages.

 

[kkottemann]

I hear ya old dirty, I like the old method on pines because all I do is ride up, sling the top and repel down till the crane operator beeps the horn, there I dig in, throw my flip line around and safety, then cut. It would work the same with the spit tail, just a little more stuff to deal with.