Use of figure 8

[Diesel JD]

Just wondering how you all use a figure 8...and when you mention that..do you mean using the figure 8 snap or the knot? I know that the purpose is to have a knot that will slip and then stop when it is pulled on...but after tying a few figure 8's I haven't a clue how it would be done. First off I will freely admit that I am no professional, and I'm not about to go out there and pretend to be...I'm going to be climbing for fun mostly and working in my own trees for the time being. I'll also follow teh conventional wisdm of going low and slow...I would post this in the rec forum...but there seems to be a bit more activity here...so I'm hoping to get a few more hits....,
J.D.

 

[Ax-man]

The basic figure eight is a device that allows you to lower yourself to the ground from up in a tree. The fancier eight's have horns on the side so you can hard lock it. The fig.8 can be used with either the single or double rope climbing. When using this tool it is wise to have a back-up saftey. I personally don't care for the tool that much and seldom use one, they twist a rope too much for my taste.

Figure eight knots are stopper knots used in termination to keep open hitches like Tautline and Blakes from rolling out. They also have other uses in climbing but this is where they are used the most.

An allied use for an eight can be used as a cheap friction brake for light rigging to lower limbs down from a tree. Eights dedicated to climbing are never used for this purpose, keep them seperate.

Another handy use for this is knot is a stopper knot in the pull handle of chain saw when you have to repair a rewind. ( trivial I know )

Larry

 

[lumberjach]

With or without horns the figure 8 is junk. I would stick with the double rope technique. Its a bit safer in my opinion. If you need to set a rope pull a runnin bowline up to where your rope is doubled. I have always used the tautline hitch but I have heard the blake's hitch doesn't bind as easy. Good luck

 

[Xtra]

I always use a figure eight to decend out of a tree and like Petzl's Huit figure eight most. It's more of a square shape and doesn't seem to twist the rope too much.

http://www.petzl.com/petzl/Produit?Produit=189&Conseil=&Activite=&Famille=&SousFamille=&News=

 

[Diesel JD]

Thanks guys, I have a couple of small trees in mind to climb just for fun and one that isn't too big that just needs some basic pruning...is there any way without a descender or figure 8 descender that I can ropel down from them after I have climbed up? Here is the gear that I do have...1 weaver saddle...100' of Samson arbor plex rope...and a flipline. That's about it....

 

[rbtree]

Diesel, go to Sherril's and buy "Tree Climber's Companion" That would be a start. As well, do a search here for "Blake's hitch, and tautline hitch.....

 

[Mr_Brushcutter]

Whats wrong with just decending using the friction hitch. You don't want to come down too fast anyway or you'll glaze your ropes.

 

[Ax-man]

Diesel,

You don't need an eight to get out of a tree. You have the basic gear, I am assuming you also have a rope to saddle connection like a rope snap. Just tie a bowline at one end of the rope with the snap in the loop part of the knot, leaving a two to three foot tail, tie a Tautline or Blakes with the tail from the bowline to the climbing line to form a closed loop, now your set for going up or down in a tree.

To copycat RB, get the " Tree Climbers Companion " it explains and shows all the little details much better about the finer points of tree climbing and the use of the gear involved.

Larry

 

[Pilsnaman]

I fully agree with the last three posts so will not restate what you have already read. The time I use a figure 8 is when I footlock with a prusik because it can be unsafe to rely on this hitch to grab once loose. The figure 8 is easy to connect up which is improtant to me, easier the better if I have to get down quick because of hornets or something.

 

[BoesTreeService]

I am a fireman and a tree trimmer. The 8 with horns is also called a rescue 8, because it allows you to lock in and use your hands. I agree the tree climbers companion is about the best $15 you can spend. I use the Blake's hitch with a micro pulley below it to pull the slack whenI hip thrust or climb. One aspect of it i like is you can turn it over and utilize both sides of your rope to minimize wear, you just have to detach your cam and move it. You dont have to retie the hitch. Good luck and be carefull. When you listed your equipement I notice you didnt mention gloves, helmet or eyeprotection. Even though you wont have falling limbs or sawdust, still good ideas. Oh, last thing, rather than use the tail, i prefer a small split tail prussick to tie my Blakes hitch with, its just a preference but you will find it a little easier to tie. Have fun and be safe.

 

[Diesel JD]

Well, gloves can be good or bad..in the past I have torn up my hands on rope while climbing, but gloves can make you less dextrous at grabbing limbs or whatever you need to do.
J.D.

 

[NickfromWI]

You can lock an 8 that isn't a rescue 8. You can lock any belay/rap device.

I use the 8 rarely. Maybe when practicing footlocking a doubled rope. I'll footlock up, clip on an 8, then rap down. Rinse, repeat.

love
nick