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Blakes hitch/ or Prussic

Seekbigger

Seekbigger

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2022
Messages
435
Location
Means, Ky
So maybe others have tried this but here is what I’ve been practicing with lately:
I get to the tree with my one stick, attach to the tree high as I can reach, then attach my repel rope above the stick, that is also used as my tether. I then have an 18” piece of rope tied to my carabiner with a scaffold knot, I take the other end a tie a Blake’s hitch to my repel rope as close as I can to the repel rope. This knot is really easy and quick to tie. To me it has some great advantages, number 1 is it doubles as my repel device, when your ready yo come down just reach up and grab the knot to come down at your own pace, if you want you stop just stop squeezing the knot. Number two it adjust so much easier than the prussic after sitting on it for a few hours. When using the prussic it gets so tight that I have to loosen the knot up before I can get it to release for adjustment. Does anyone see an issue with this setup? I’ve only tried it a few times but haven’t found an issue as of yet. I also figure to hooking a prussic knot above the Blake’s hitch for a backup, just unhook before descending The tree. Just thought I would ask for some feedback, as always thanks and God Bless.
 
Seekbigger said:
So maybe others have tried this but here is what I’ve been practicing with lately:
I get to the tree with my one stick, attach to the tree high as I can reach, then attach my repel rope above the stick, that is also used as my tether. I then have an 18” piece of rope tied to my carabiner with a scaffold knot, I take the other end a tie a Blake’s hitch to my repel rope as close as I can to the repel rope. This knot is really easy and quick to tie. To me it has some great advantages, number 1 is it doubles as my repel device, when your ready yo come down just reach up and grab the knot to come down at your own pace, if you want you stop just stop squeezing the knot. Number two it adjust so much easier than the prussic after sitting on it for a few hours. When using the prussic it gets so tight that I have to loosen the knot up before I can get it to release for adjustment. Does anyone see an issue with this setup? I’ve only tried it a few times but haven’t found an issue as of yet. I also figure to hooking a prussic knot above the Blake’s hitch for a backup, just unhook before descending The tree. Just thought I would ask for some feedback, as always thanks and God Bless.
Click to expand...
You’re not rappelling on Blake’s hitch on a single rope are you? A Blake’s hitch is typically tied on a MRS (formally known as a drt) system which is a two moving rope system. That means that the Blake’s hitch when used in this method is only holding half the weight. Since hitches work off friction if you’re on one rope it is having to hold all of your weight. This means it will be hard to break and harder for it to catch which can be dangerous on rappel. There are also better hitches out there than a Blake’s hitch. Are you using eye to eye cord?

If you’re doing what I think you’re doing I would recommend incorporating a figure 8 or an ATC which you just throw on to your rope before you descending on your rappel. I would also recommend a different hitch that incorporated two ends instead of the one. The Blake’s hitch is tied in a MRS system with the main line which is rated to like 5 or 6,000 lbs MBS, so you’re not losing any strength. If you just use a single strand of cord you’re likely only at like 2-3000 LB max break strength, using two lengths of cords increases your cord strength significantly to make it closer to your mainlines strength.

Please take a picture of what you’re doing so we can understand better.

Stay safe out there man.
 
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So here is how I am doing things now. I spend at least some time most days messing around with different little things try to find my simplest methods for climbing and hanging from the saddle while still staying safe. All these methods are tried just above ground level and check vigorously before ascending. I am no expert by any means and just do things I am comfortable with. So I’ve been using the Blakes hitch on my main tether/rappel line, but also backing it up with a figure 8. This knot for me if the easiest to adjust after sitting for awhile. I have also been messing around with quick connect tether configurations making it easier to maneuver around limbs, I don’t like metal components clanging together so here’s a picture of what I’ve been using lately with really good success. I use a sewn prussic on my main line with an Ashley stopper not tied at the end, then just girth hitch above the knot, slide the prussic up tight and all is tight to the tree and doesn’t slip at all. When I come to a limb I just pull down on the prussic, loosen the girth hitch from the Ashley knot, move above the limb and girth hitch back above the knot. I’d like to know what you all think. As always thanks and God Bless
 
^^^ Have you tried pulling the rope from the ground yet?
It looks like it'd be tough to bring back down after you rappel.
 
I’ve been thinking the same thing about tying my own rope for the connection. Also I haven’t been rappelling down on this setup, because it would be too hard to retrieve my rope. I just attach my rappel rope with a quick link and rappel with that. This version is the easiest, quietest, simplest method to adjust and to move around limbs that I’ve tried so far. Even after sitting on the knots for a long period it still takes little effort to break the knot loose and remove. Also my tether never slips even when I stand up and remove the tension, plus there us no metal to cling around. It’s working for me, not saying it would suit anyone else. God Bless
 
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