Bowline for Rappel/Tether Girth Hitch?

[DB4x4]

I am contemplating using a bowline knot to make my girth hitch next season. Here's why - let me know what you guys think:

I am transitioning to a 32' rope for tether/rappel/SRT. I will be primarily one-sticking up and rappelling down. The bowline comes into play for going around branches.

Right now, when I come to a branch with my short tether, I connect my lineman belt, then disconnect my tether, un-do the girth hitch, go above branch, re-do girth hitch, reconnect, and keep going.

However, I could see this being a pain with 30' of slack. I was thinking I could run the rope around the tree, under the long slack line, then tie a bowline. This would create my girth hitch without the need for pulling 30' of slack through a loop.

Come to a branch, connect lineman, untie bowline, go above branch, re-tie bowline, continue.

To me this would be faster around branches and/or eliminate the need for another metal component. (triangle quick link)

I understand the danger of the unloaded bowline knot coming undone, but I think if you give it a relatively long tail, this would be a non-issue. Has anybody considered this or tried this before?

 

[pesqimon]

Interesting idea. Are you considering a double bowline? Here is what Knots3D has to say...

 

[DB4x4]

I can tie a regular bowline with my eyes closed. (Years of boating experience)

...but I've never heard of the double bowline until now. I'll have to try it out.

I wonder what they mean by "it can capsize" ???

 

[boone0]

From what I've read and my experience learning the knot, the bowline is dangerous because it's easy to tie incorrectly, but it looks like you've tied it right. I still like the knot but not for hunting, as the time saved double checking isn't worth the time to double check it. I like the fig8, fisherman's, and scaffold knots for easy repeatable support.

 

[Chrighton]

If your concern is just feeding all 30+ ft of rope through your fig 8 for girth hitch. I would suggest the kong quick- link triangle available on doublesteps.com
Less fiddle factor going around limbs also.

 

[hickstick]

If you are doing SRT there is no need to unclip anything. You're technically tethered in the entire climb. Are you trying to eliminate a rope (dropping the short tether?) When one sticking?

To me it would be more simple & safe to eliminate the regular linemans rope and use the 30' rope as your linemans. I've never seen a climber use a bowline. The real 'draw' of a bowline is the ease of untying after load. Not something most climbers are concerned with....I would trust a fig 8 on a bite with my life, bowline not so much.

 

[DB4x4]

Are you trying to eliminate a rope (dropping the short tether?) When one sticking?

Yes, no need to carry a tether and a rappel rope - just one long rope for both.

One-stick up, using the rappel rope as a sort of long tether. Lineman belt for going around branches. When it's time to come down, hook up the lineman belt again for stability. Slide the tether prusik down near the lineman loop. Disconnect the tether carabiner from the bridge and into lineman loop. Add ATC belay device and extra carabiner to rope, hook into bridge. Use ATC and prusik as autoblock to rappel down, grabbing stick and/or platform on the way.

The bowline would be loaded 90% of the time. The only times it wouldn't be loaded, it would be directly in front of your face for visual inspection. It would allow you to quickly untie/retie girth hitches to go around branches.

Obviously, safety here hinges on the individual's ability to tie a proper bowline consistently. I think I'm going to practice this at ground level a little bit to see if I can get the bowline to "capsize". (Whatever that means, haha)

 

[hickstick]

yea...I would still think Kong or petzl triangle on fig 8 would be better than the bowline as @Chrighton suggested.

 

[bj139]

I have used a bowline and been OK. As you say, with a long enough tail you can see it all the time.
Tie a double bowline for more security.
Fast forward to 5:30 if impatient.

 

[Kurt]

I am contemplating using a bowline knot to make my girth hitch next season. Here's why - let me know what you guys think:

I am transitioning to a 32' rope for tether/rappel/SRT. I will be primarily one-sticking up and rappelling down. The bowline comes into play for going around branches.

Right now, when I come to a branch with my short tether, I connect my lineman belt, then disconnect my tether, un-do the girth hitch, go above branch, re-do girth hitch, reconnect, and keep going.

However, I could see this being a pain with 30' of slack. I was thinking I could run the rope around the tree, under the long slack line, then tie a bowline. This would create my girth hitch without the need for pulling 30' of slack through a loop.

Come to a branch, connect lineman, untie bowline, go above branch, re-tie bowline, continue.

To me this would be faster around branches and/or eliminate the need for another metal component. (triangle quick link)

I understand the danger of the unloaded bowline knot coming undone, but I think if you give it a relatively long tail, this would be a non-issue. Has anybody considered this or tried this before?

More specifically it would be a running bowline, and you can beef up the security by tying it with a Yosemite tie off.