A bridge too far

[jsh909]

Well @TreeRecon beat me to it, but that was my line of thinking as well

 

[Horn]

what you'll find is the following qualities make a good bridge :

-High MBS
-Abrasion resistant
-Can take knots (most arb saddles use stopper knots against a rigging plate)

Rated climbing rope checks all those boxes, especially Kermantle

I'll admit I put a secondary, for now, bridge on my main saddle last week or so. It's 8mm sterling accessory cord with 6mm sterling accessory cord for the hitch part, both from EWO and definitely accessory cord. I didn't check but I'm ok with the strength.

What really is a differentiating factor between rope,cord "accessory " cord? I have based all my actions on MBS, pretty strictly. Knotability is certainly a factor but if you don't mind, and have the knowledge could we drill right down on proper/ safe uses and why/ how to know what's suitable for what?

I'm probably asking for a huge tangent to the conversation but it would sure be good to know. I'm going to do what I want for the record but we're quite big on safety around here and this is a gray area for me. I'd honestly love to be informed, I want to be safe, and I want everyone else to be safe too!

Edit: don't feel obligated in any way, shape or form. I just wish there was more detailed information about why, what, how, when . That's not your responsibility. And thank you for what
Info you have shared!

 

[TreeRecon]

I'll admit I put a secondary, for now, bridge on my main saddle last week or so. It's 8mm sterling accessory cord with 6mm sterling accessory cord for the hitch part, both from EWO and definitely accessory cord. I didn't check but I'm ok with the strength.

What really is a differentiating factor between rope,cord "accessory " cord? I have based all my actions on MBS, pretty strictly. Knotability is certainly a factor but if you don't mind, and have the knowledge could we drill right down on proper/ safe uses and why/ how to know what's suitable for what?

I'm probably asking for a huge tangent to the conversation but it would sure be good to know. I'm going to do what I want for the record but we're quite big on safety around here and this is a gray area for me. I'd honestly love to be informed, I want to be safe, and I want everyone else to be safe too!

I would NEVER use accessory cord for anything life safety. The MBS is wayyyy too low generally. Especially the 6mm and 7mm accessory

Look at this https://sterlingrope.com/6-mm-accessory-cord/

The Safe working load of that is 197lbs. Even if you're 180lbs and SRTing, you will exceed the WLL. SRT forces are 1-1.4x your bodyweight

 

[Horn]

I would NEVER use accessory cord for anything life safety. The MBS is wayyyy too low generally. Especially the 6mm and 7mm accessory

I did just edit that to add a comment, but what MBS do you like to see?

 

[TreeRecon]

I did just edit that to add a comment, but what MBS do you like to see?

I would stay above 4500lbs. It's not in line with any standard, but should be enough of a safety factor for 99% of hunters. I would not basal anchor anything with an MBS below 5400lbs

I personally use a rope with 7900mbs 99% of the time these days

 

[TreeRecon]

Btw: I'm having some Canyon C-IV break tested. I'll post the results soon. C-IV has a 4663mbs, will be interesting to see strength degradation over 2 seasons.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

I would NEVER use accessory cord for anything life safety. The MBS is wayyyy too low generally. Especially the 6mm and 7mm accessory

Look at this https://sterlingrope.com/6-mm-accessory-cord/

The Safe working load of that is 197lbs. Even if you're 180lbs and SRTing, you will exceed the WLL. SRT forces are 1-1.4x your bodyweight

I saw HN2’s break test on cords of various diameters, the jump in actual MBS between 6-7mm and again from 7-8mm was pretty significant.

 

[dalton916]

I have a short webbing bridge and a longer Oplux bridge. The webbing bridge is adjustable, but I like it where it is so I leave it alone. I used to hang on the Oplux and rappel on the web. Now that I use my rappel line as a tether I don’t use the webbing bridge, but I’m keeping it. I like to film so the longer bridge gives me more room for the camera.

I use my back over my shoulder as a backup to hold my saddle up if need be.

 

[bfriendly]

Redundant 11mm bridges. People think they need to constantly adjust their bridge because their saddle has the feature. You truly don't IMO.

Since OP asked about Amsteel:

Contrary to popular saddle hunter belief, Amsteel is not designed for climbing applications or life safety. Great product for what it's intended for, but you won't find any industries pimping it as bridge or tether material.View attachment 95887

My Hawk saddle came with a fixed amsteel bridge. I made a short secondary bride for rappelling….also out of amsteel. Girth on one side carabiner on the other. My new Buzzard’s Roost has what looks like resctech with TRC , a nice tender installed and it adjusts very easy with one hand.

 

[bfriendly]

I also pull my bridge up, then clip the upper strap from my pack through it to hold it up out of the way……and help keep the saddle from sliding down!

 

[JCLINE84]

I would be interested in some photos of a non amsteel triad bridge that’s HTP or Resctech/oplux. What are you using for hitch cord from the saddle to the bridge rope?

7mm Sterling accessory cord would work well on both those ropes. 7mm is as small as you would ever want to go. I’d prefer 8mm but then you would have to bump your rope size up to 10-11mm.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

7mm Sterling accessory cord would work well on both those ropes.

7mm is definitely the sweet spot on HTP for me. 6mm is fine but bites like a SOB.

 

[JCLINE84]

7mm is definitely the sweet spot on HTP for me. 6mm is fine but bites like a SOB.

If I have to use 6mm for a friction hitch I always use TRC. Seems to be smoother and it has a higher rating.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

If I have to use 6mm for a friction hitch I always use TRC. Seems to be smoother and it has a higher rating.

That’s what I’m using. I don’t mind it for my main tether/hunting hitch because of the security, and it does release readily. But I just tie into a 7mm hitch tied to my 8 for rappel and it releases more readily but feels a little more controllable in my grip. TRC as backup on brake strand. Just preference.6mm TRC being hunted from, 7mm Bluewater above it just ready for rappel. I have some 7mm Sterling I will tie on in place of the TRC that I really like, it’s just not heat-resistant so I only use it when I’m not rappelling.

 

[1simplemann]

That’s what I’m using. I don’t mind it for my main tether/hunting hitch because of the security, and it does release readily. But I just tie into a 7mm hitch tied to my 8 for rappel and it releases more readily but feels a little more controllable in my grip. TRC as backup on brake strand. Just preference.View attachment 963096mm TRC being hunted from, 7mm Bluewater above it just ready for rappel. I have some 7mm Sterling I will tie on in place of the TRC that I really like, it’s just not heat-resistant so I only use it when I’m not rappelling.

And I thought that I carry too much crap! You got a lot going on there. LOL

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

And I thought that I carry too much crap! You got a lot going on there. LOL

Lol looks worse than it is. Muddy safeline was already in the tree, I use it to climb and just stay tied in so I can work on other ropes. Mainline 40’ of HTP has the most going on but it serves several needs and packs to the size of a Nalgene bottle. HYS strap looks a mess but it’s holding a rangefinder, remote, some extra clip-ins, and backpack (super small jawn that holds rope, water bottle, calls, ‘noccers, and snacks). Plus bow and quiver.
Seems pretty normal to me but my wife also says I overpack hahaha.

 

[Blacksmith]

And I thought that I carry too much crap! You got a lot going on there. LOL

That looks like a yard sale up a tree ! No JK.

 

[TreeRecon]

That’s what I’m using. I don’t mind it for my main tether/hunting hitch because of the security, and it does release readily. But I just tie into a 7mm hitch tied to my 8 for rappel and it releases more readily but feels a little more controllable in my grip. TRC as backup on brake strand. Just preference.View attachment 963096mm TRC being hunted from, 7mm Bluewater above it just ready for rappel. I have some 7mm Sterling I will tie on in place of the TRC that I really like, it’s just not heat-resistant so I only use it when I’m not rappelling.

What kind of bow is that ?

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

What kind of bow is that ?

PSE BruteX circa 2011/2012

 

[1simplemann]

And I thought that I carry too much crap! You got a lot going on there. LOL

Lol looks worse than it is. Muddy safeline was already in the tree, I use it to climb and just stay tied in so I can work on other ropes. Mainline 40’ of HTP has the most going on but it serves several needs and packs to the size of a Nalgene bottle. HYS strap looks a mess but it’s holding a rangefinder, remote, some extra clip-ins, and backpack (super small jawn that holds rope, water bottle, calls, ‘noccers, and snacks). Plus bow and quiver.
Seems pretty normal to me but my wife also says I overpack hahaha.

Remote?