The Dan rates the Cougar

[Nailsbeats]

Here is my XT hitch setup. I am just using biners on the bridge. This setup keeps the hitch close, clutter to a minimum, and 2 biners on the bridge for extra safety. I hope I got it this time.

 

[custom8726]

Here is my XT hitch setup. I am just using biners on the bridge. This setup keeps the hitch close, clutter to a minimum, and 2 biners on the bridge for extra safety. I hope I got it this time.

WTH is going on there?

 

[(WLL)]

get rid of half of that stuff!!! this is what I'm runnin minus the worthless swivel that causes the rope to twist a million times when u load the system. i use the small ring that comes with the b2

 

[(WLL)]

WTH is going on there?

:agree2:

 

[Nailsbeats]

It's a double bridge with a standard closed hitch setup.

 

[(WLL)]

I am not interested in the swivel either.

i agree it makes things twist more than without the darnd thing. the swivel has gone in the great big box of things i dont care ta use!

 

[Wortown Mick]

i agree it makes things twist more than without the darnd thing. the swivel has gone in the great big box of things i dont care ta use!

Yea but thats a handy dandy box fo sho.

Who knows when you will need a swivel for some crazy rigging project

 

[tree MDS]

X2!! I am in desperate need of some new gear, Im just so use to my old school set up its hard to ajust to something new.

Nails- What do you use on your bridge? Just a beaner or something else? I like the safety rope for a back up.

Glad I'm not alone custom! I know when I get this new stuff its still going to have drawbacks, simply because I am so good at the old style.

Nails thanks for posting those pics of the bridge action - I see why you guys are so eager to modify that chinsy looking stock bridge.

I also like the idea of two bridges, say if I want two TIP's for big tree pruning or whatever - very nice.

Only drawback I can see is that right now I like to use my climbing line tied right to my 2 D rings (2 overhands) with almost no tail between the D rings and my good old TL when rigging big wood - so I got some tention on my butt strap. Then of course I still have the lanyard as well, just below usually. With all that gadgetry I figure I would be leaning backwards at a 45.

 

[custom8726]

Glad I'm not alone custom! I know when I get this new stuff its still going to have drawbacks, simply because I am so good at the old style.

Nails thanks for posting those pics of the bridge action - I see why you guys are so eager to modify that chinsy looking stock bridge.

I also like the idea of two bridges, say if I want two TIP's for big tree pruning or whatever - very nice.

Only drawback I can see is that right now I like to use my climbing line tied right to my 2 D rings (2 overhands) with almost no tail between the D rings and my good old TL when rigging big wood - so I got some tention on my butt strap. Then of course I still have the lanyard as well, just below usually. With all that gadgetry I figure I would be leaning backwards at a 45.

Hey, Hey, looks like were moving up in the world, Nova's for all.. Lol!!

 

[treemandan]

I got these shots of the setup today.


Here is the bridge.

This is my standard flipline, it's about 9 feet of 1/2" New England Hi-Vee with a Gibbs adjuster and a steel rope clip tied on the other end. Don't forget the swivel snap on the stopper knot.

The Silky Sugoi mods. I cut off most of the stop on the end of the handle and bevelled the edges with my bandsaw. I took a grinding wheel to the end of the blade and made a rope grabber. The last shot shows how I slimmed down the scabbord by cutting off the leg mounts.

Nice thinking on the bridge now turn around.

 

[treemandan]

Climb with the stuff on the right, rig with left. I will ditch it all in a prune save maybe a redirect . Other than that, if one is missing I start looking around for it like a dog looking for a place to take a crap... you know he is going to find it.

And then my lanyard termination. I know some guys just leave the tail hanging out the back and even some lanyards just back-splice but I don't. Before the screw clasp on the adjuster it was just a 5/16 screw link. The clasp is way better. Sure it gets bungled but I deal with just unscrewing the beener at the tail end eye splice. I tend to stick with the old style clips on the working end on the lanyard on my primary. My secondary looks just like Nails'.

 

[oldirty]

Here is my XT hitch setup. I am just using biners on the bridge. This setup keeps the hitch close, clutter to a minimum, and 2 biners on the bridge for extra safety. I hope I got it this time.

for all you old schoolers wondering what the heck is going on with this setup, it goes like this.

pull down on the rope below the pulley on the right and it will advance your knot up the line.

flip line to the tree. unclip the biner on the left and advance the biner to your next crotch and reclip to the bridge. bang, your tied in. no more untying the whole setup and pulling it through the tree.

now when you pull yourself up into the tree a little bit and you are in the air you can one handedly advance your knot while holding yourself on the rope with the other hand.

yes new climbers should learn the old way but just this simple little step forward in your climbing game can take it to the next level. i dont care how good you think you are of a climber if you are not up to this point in your game you really "aint" all that.

you are behind the times. people used to whine about the weight of a chainsaw but you dont see them big ass 2man handsaws being used anymore now do you?

stay safe.

 

[oldirty]

personally i dont like or use the VT or XT. doesnt mean the next guy dont like it but for me there are some better knots to start off with. heck you dont even need to use the prussic to "next step" your game. use a blakes hitch/split tail with a pulley if you want.

just make a move forward is all i can recommend. makes the climb fun when you aint working so hard. plus it makes being tied in so much easier. no need to free climb when advancing your flipline above the next branch/crotch.

 

[oldirty]

and in no ghey manner do i mean this when i say it but i miss WLL. in a very heterosexual way.

 

[arborist]

for all you old schoolers wondering what the heck is going on with this setup, it goes like this.

pull down on the rope below the pulley on the right and it will advance your knot up the line.

flip line to the tree. unclip the biner on the left and advance the biner to your next crotch and reclip to the bridge. bang, your tied in. no more untying the whole setup and pulling it through the tree.

now when you pull yourself up into the tree a little bit and you are in the air you can one handedly advance your knot while holding yourself on the rope with the other hand.

yes new climbers should learn the old way but just this simple little step forward in your climbing game can take it to the next level. i dont care how good you think you are of a climber if you are not up to this point in your game you really "aint" all that.

you are behind the times. people used to whine about the weight of a chainsaw but you dont see them big ass 2man handsaws being used anymore now do you?

stay safe.

yeah,i was really eying this particular setup myself when i was reading this thread.thinking the same thing,just making a blakes with a tail and trying it.
It really does make sense.

 

[arborist]

I like using a double locking spreader snap to provide extra room in the crotch.(using the basic economy weaver butt strap/4 D saddle)
the rope bridge doesn't really appeal to me.
what if a spreader rope snap was used in place of the bridge on this saddle or the dragonfly?
(im liking the dragonfly i think,due to it's seat).
would this work just fine?
i could keep the spreader snap there,then connect two carabiners like this setup.
sure,it wouldn't have the same range of motion.but i have a feeling i wouldn't like the lopsided,flip flop action the rope bridge probably has to it.
see any problem with my idea? anyone tried it?

 

[Tree Pig]

Hey Dan your hands look a little tender for a tree guy?

 

[oldirty]

I like using a double locking spreader snap to provide extra room in the crotch.(using the basic economy weaver butt strap/4 D saddle)
the rope bridge doesn't really appeal to me.
what if a spreader rope snap was used in place of the bridge on this saddle or the dragonfly?
(im liking the dragonfly i think,due to it's seat).
would this work just fine?
i could keep the spreader snap there,then connect two carabiners like this setup.
sure,it wouldn't have the same range of motion.but i have a feeling i wouldn't like the lopsided,flip flop action the rope bridge probably has to it.
see any problem with my idea? anyone tried it?

if you really want to get the spreader going on a saddle try the pinnacle. that saddle screams spreader snap. has the butt seat too. (pinnacle will not be good for a rope bridge. IMO)

if you think about it though the rope bridge is going to hang you in the same spot the spreader snap will just that you will be isolated to that spot with that snap.

you get used to that roll along the bridge real quick and often count on it. and you will notice if you go to the split tail when you go to advance the knot the loose split tail might want to creep down the bridge to your connects, not all that cool but you figure out how to beat that issue or make the adjustment. length of the splittail will dictate.

 

[oldirty]

Hey Dan your hands look a little tender for a tree guy?

dan might like his gloves but he a tree guy through and through. fulltimer for sure.

 

[Tree Pig]

dan might like his gloves but he a tree guy through and through. fulltimer for sure.

Well I like to poke a little fun now and then too, but I here yeah OD