Absolutely love the versatility of your hitch. Was hoping for something like this for my ring of steps, as the ratchet is making too much noise (or slowing things way down trying to set it quietly). Question: my ring of steps uses a strap (slotted steps). Any way to use something like this with a strap? Perhaps create a loop and tie in a section of cord? But that limits my tree diameter options...hmm. Might have to go with a custom ring steps made with round holes for cord. I guess one could always tie custom length loops at each tree with the hitch ready to go, at least for evening hunts.
It depends how it's used. If you're always tied in and on a well managed slack profile, you stick or platform can disappear at any time and you will never be hurt. And so if that's the case, your stick is NOT a life safety system. But if you're getting up on top of your first set, maybe 8 ft off the ground and you didn't even have a tether attached yet, then your stick is now a life safety system, and I sure wouldn't want to have something which is so easily released and not rated for Life Safety to begin with. Life safety systems should have a breaking strength which is 15 times greater than the working load. Or an absolute minimum of 10. Does your stick and cleat hold 2-3000 lbs? Not likely. So just treat them that way and make the rope and slack management your life safety system.
I agree about staying tied to the tree with no slack. I've had to have 11 staples and a cat scan after falling 3ft. when a brand new later folded on me. I saw sky and that was it. Cool hitch you are no dummy sir.
I am sorry to hear of the incident. Many things in life are such that we can learn from our mistakes. But in climbing, our first mistake can be our last, and so I don't like to take any chances.
I'm going to give this a try John! Thanks again, Kevin!
best tree climbing channel ever
Thx brother. We have some cool stuff coming
Absolutely love the versatility of your hitch. Was hoping for something like this for my ring of steps, as the ratchet is making too much noise (or slowing things way down trying to set it quietly). Question: my ring of steps uses a strap (slotted steps). Any way to use something like this with a strap? Perhaps create a loop and tie in a section of cord? But that limits my tree diameter options...hmm. Might have to go with a custom ring steps made with round holes for cord. I guess one could always tie custom length loops at each tree with the hitch ready to go, at least for evening hunts.
I've been using a one stick with cam cleat. Do you think the cam cleat is too risky? Thanks. I'm slowly adopting your methods.
It depends how it's used. If you're always tied in and on a well managed slack profile, you stick or platform can disappear at any time and you will never be hurt. And so if that's the case, your stick is NOT a life safety system. But if you're getting up on top of your first set, maybe 8 ft off the ground and you didn't even have a tether attached yet, then your stick is now a life safety system, and I sure wouldn't want to have something which is so easily released and not rated for Life Safety to begin with. Life safety systems should have a breaking strength which is 15 times greater than the working load. Or an absolute minimum of 10. Does your stick and cleat hold 2-3000 lbs? Not likely. So just treat them that way and make the rope and slack management your life safety system.
I agree about staying tied to the tree with no slack. I've had to have 11 staples and a cat scan after falling 3ft. when a brand new later folded on me. I saw sky and that was it. Cool hitch you are no dummy sir.
I am sorry to hear of the incident. Many things in life are such that we can learn from our mistakes. But in climbing, our first mistake can be our last, and so I don't like to take any chances.
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