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2TC/One Stick Hybrid Climbing

Samcirrus said:
Just to add the context of experience to your statement....Have you done a bunch of 2TC?
I don't see how having a linesman belt will stabilize your foothold on the tree (which is the reason for foot wrap). The tether will interfere with the linesman as you step up in the foot tether and try to advance the top one...also having 3 ropes on the tree can get very tricky.....
I strongly feel everyone 2TC should have a secondary saddle tie in on their foot tether that gives the safety factor while advancing your main tether.
IMHO what makes all the difference in the world is the ease of advancing tethers up the bark of the tree and the size of the move(don't overreach). Find a solution to that (I have) and stability problems mostly go away!
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Just to clarify, my comments were regarding one-stick climbing. I use the method shown in the photo above to tend the slack while climbing the aiders and stick. When I get up onto the stick, I throw my LB around so I can use two hands to advance the tether without risk of losing balance and falling backward.

I have not tried 2TC. If I have to carry some sort platform to set at hunting height anyway, I would rather just use it to climb so I have something solid to stand on that's less likely to kick out while I advance my tether.

When I first started one-sticking, I just used a tether with a prusik, climbed above the girth hitch with a bunch of slack, and advanced the tether by hugging the tree, no LB. I now know that this was risky, especially on wet, slippery trees and/or trees that lean. I also got little pieces of bark in my eyes all the time from being so close to the tree while sliding my rope up.

I feel much safer and more confident with my current method since I'm always either suspended on a taut tether or leaning back into a LB, while standing on a solid surface.
 
How come none of you 2tc or one stick guys use a rated d ring on a belt to clip into while advancing upper tether?

I haven’t thought through how to do it. Seems like it would make sense though.
 
BTaylor said:
At my age, only way I am letting go with both hands is if I have my lineman's hooked up.
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Yes, this was essentially my point. Three points of contact at all times. I am never letting go with both hands unless my LB is hooked up.

Why? Because it takes 3 seconds to attach and mitigates a lot of risk.
 
kyler1945 said:
How come none of you 2tc or one stick guys use a rated d ring on a belt to clip into while advancing upper tether?

I haven’t thought through how to do it. Seems like it would make sense though.
Click to expand...
I tried a similar concept using a second carabiner to clip into a second hitch on the bottom tether. I was clipping in to the belay loop on the RCH. It was a pain to deal with 2 carabiners clipped into the same loop. I intend to give it another round of testing with the saddle with 2 bridges. I expect it to work much better.
 
kyler1945 said:
How come none of you 2tc or one stick guys use a rated d ring on a belt to clip into while advancing upper tether?

I haven’t thought through how to do it. Seems like it would make sense though.
Click to expand...
The way I do 2TC is very fluid and I am making 14 to 16 inch advances each time. Anything that breaks the rhythm of the move adds instability and keeps your weight on the foot loop longer. I have a little slack for a few seconds but at that point my center of gravity is close to the tree so there is not much instability at all. Worse case if you get wobbly or don't like something you can just sit back down and start the move over. I haven't had to do that. Adding an additional tie in or a lineman's belt would likely get fussy real fast and add to the danger of kick out. I want all the moves to be fluid and smooth.
 
DB4x4 said:
I'm also surprised at the number of people who don't use a lineman belt when advancing the tether. It takes 3 seconds to throw it around the tree and clip in. Then you don't have to worry about falling backward, you don't have to wrap your leg around and hump the tree, and you can use two hands.
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I’m probably 80% without and 20% with LB. I generally do not use it, but when I’m climbing bigger trees that I can’t comfortably leg hook I will throw it on. I certainly admit that when I do use it, it adds a significant level of added security for using both hands.
 
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kyler1945 said:
How come none of you 2tc or one stick guys use a rated d ring on a belt to clip into while advancing upper tether?

I haven’t thought through how to do it. Seems like it would make sense though.
Click to expand...
I do. Well I use a carabiner and friction hitch that slides nearly to the top of my foot tether so that if I slip my waist is held 10" from the tree. Thats what I was referring to as having a second attach point from yr saddle other than just the main tether.
 
BTaylor said:
I tried a similar concept using a second carabiner to clip into a second hitch on the bottom tether. I was clipping in to the belay loop on the RCH. It was a pain to deal with 2 carabiners clipped into the same loop. I intend to give it another round of testing with the saddle with 2 bridges. I expect it to work much better.
Click to expand...
Yep, you've gotta have a second bridge. I just use a 6mm trc loop in figure 8 on my LB loops.
I don't have the hitch all the way at the top unless I'm passing a branch. It stays at a precisely measured spot so I can do a full step up and sit without it budging. Should I slip, I won't fall past the point I was last sitting at.
 
Samcirrus said:
Yep, you've gotta have a second bridge. I just use a 6mm trc loop in figure 8 on my LB loops.
I don't have the hitch all the way at the top unless I'm passing a branch. It stays at a precisely measured spot so I can do a full step up and sit without it budging. Should I slip, I won't fall past the point I was last sitting at.
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Is this shown in one of your videos? Sorry I can’t keep up.

You’ve got my attention
 
Maybe I am slow, but how is this better than a typical 2TC? It certainly does not seem as safe if you have no tether and only a lineman's belt. As I read, you are climbing up to a point, putting on a lineman and then disconnecting from everything else, leaving you part way up a tree with nothing but a lineman's belt. Personally, I don't wanna fall from 6 feet up with that, but 20 feet sounds like a disaster. If you really think the long rope with a triple bowline is an advantage, I would suggest that you replace your lineman's with a tether and mind your slack as you climb. While I don't recommend it, you could release your tether like you are going over a limb when you get to the top of your triple bowline rope, re-tie, and clip in. Alternatively, you could just use your tether with an additional foot loop below and your triple bowline rope above and avoid having to hop over your triple rope.

I think you could simplify things just by using 2TC and put your aider on your lower tether. Personally, I tried this with two foot loops on my lower tether and no aider, but am not sure that it is a lot better. I may have gotten me a bit higher on a single move, but you still have to mind your upper tether and retrieve the lower tether to advance it.

I haven't tried any part of your method, but it just doesn't sound as safe or as easy as 2TC. Good luck, but stay safe. As for me, I would not trust the plan you described.
 
HugeBull said:
Maybe I am slow, but how is this better than a typical 2TC? It certainly does not seem as safe if you have no tether and only a lineman's belt. As I read, you are climbing up to a point, putting on a lineman and then disconnecting from everything else, leaving you part way up a tree with nothing but a lineman's belt. Personally, I don't wanna fall from 6 feet up with that, but 20 feet sounds like a disaster. If you really think the long rope with a triple bowline is an advantage, I would suggest that you replace your lineman's with a tether and mind your slack as you climb. While I don't recommend it, you could release your tether like you are going over a limb when you get to the top of your triple bowline rope, re-tie, and clip in. Alternatively, you could just use your tether with an additional foot loop below and your triple bowline rope above and avoid having to hop over your triple rope.

I think you could simplify things just by using 2TC and put your aider on your lower tether. Personally, I tried this with two foot loops on my lower tether and no aider, but am not sure that it is a lot better. I may have gotten me a bit higher on a single move, but you still have to mind your upper tether and retrieve the lower tether to advance it.

I haven't tried any part of your method, but it just doesn't sound as safe or as easy as 2TC. Good luck, but stay safe. As for me, I would not trust the plan you described.
Click to expand...
What you described is not what I described doing. I also never went for improving anything or competing with other climbing methods. This was just a fun climbing mash up that I wanted to try. I did do it and it does work. It’s just not practical. I’ll try and get a video of it this weekend when deer season is over. Thanks
 
Plebe said:
It rather seems you are. Nevertheless, it's not me. Credit to @Steve_Eh of Canada.

This has made one sticking 25% faster and easier for me. Has anyone else tried it?

Using and a foot loop aider I’ve been able to add 18 to 24 inches of height per transition which saves me an entire transition by the time I get to 20 feet. That means I only have to set my stick three times rather than four and only sit against the tree, reach down and grab my stick, etc...
saddlehunter.com

I'm not qualified to give climbing advice, so I'll refrain from further comment. Thanks for sharing Steve.
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Sorry, late in on this one. You are welcome. I've found it faster and easier using the foot loop as setting the stick is right in front of me, rather that having to reach up over my head and fight the rope. And, the 2 extra feet means 20ft instead of 16ft. Personally, I think that the most important thing is that people climb safely and are comfortable/enjoy their method. What works best for you, may not be best for me, but I'm glad that it helps you enjoy your hunt.
 
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