Dual purpose linemans belt and tether

[Thill]

I'm considering shedding my dedicated tether and using my linemans belt for both applications. I know there has got to be a reason why the saddle hunting community uses a dedicated line for each but what is the reason? I know there could be a few seconds when you're switching between the two that you're not hooked in but there has got to be a solution that maintains safety and sheds the weight and expense of using a tether when a linemans belt could be used for both.
I know I'm missing something, so please help me understand.
Thanks!

 

[DaveT1963]

1. So you can remain hooked up at all times
2. So you have a backup if you should drop one or the other

 

[donnieballgame]

So you can go around branches, but to me it's all about always being hooked up like @DaveT1963 said. No way I'm going to be unhooked for a second at 25-35 feet, just not worth a few ounces in my humble opinion.

You could try an amstel whoopie sling as a backup linemans belt to go around branches and for when you switch from lineman to tether or vice versa, I've got a whoopie sling and I don't like them as it always seems to slide or not hold, which means NOT something I'm willing to put my weight/life on. I think there are folks on there that use them and maybe they can chime in, but it's not for me.

 

[Thill]

I am not suggesting unhooking at all. I think there has got to be a way to stay hooked up at all times and use one line for both applications.
I've seen this community come up with some very creative solutions to common problems. I believe a solution is out there. We just need to find it.

 

[ImThere]

I think someone on here uses a extra long one and uses it for both? I can’t remember who?


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[cb750]

The small weight and relatively low cost plus the ability to go around branches like was already mentioned make it a permanent part of my gear. You could in theory hook your tether to your bridge and slide up as you climb I guess. But depending on your climbing method and type of tree this could be a real PITA

 

[Cory T]

Hook into your tree strap like you would be hunting and just move it up as you go. Branches will be the issue.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

I love this topic. One of my first issues with the idea of saddle hunting was all the dang ropes involved! Anything that reduces this (even if a bit of an illusion) without excessively compromising safety or function I'm all for.

I use a dual purpose setup I call a TLB (Tether Linemans Belt). It is an HSS safety rope that I removed the prusik and biner from, added a Ropeman1, and added two HSS aluminum biners. Weighs 17 oz. total.

I use it to climb the tree with a biner in each linemans loop on my Kite. For going around branches or when I get to hunting height and need to move the TLB from LB to T I have a AWLM (amsteel whoopie linemans belt) that is girth hitched to one linemans loop on the saddle and has a climb rated Metolius mini biner on it for the other side. It is 7/64" Amsteel. Holds my weight no problem, no slipping. Weighs an amazing 2 oz.! Adjustable and fairly easy to use considering I only use it usually once a climb.

I don't feel any less safe and I dropped more than half a pound of carry weight and it feels like having one less rope (illusion I know). I wear it over my shoulders and hardly know it is there until I need it, and there it is. Plus I saved the expense and potential noise of a second Ropeman1.

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[Jgetch]

I am not suggesting unhooking at all. I think there has got to be a way to stay hooked up at all times and use one line for both applications.
I've seen this community come up with some very creative solutions to common problems. I believe a solution is out there. We just need to find it.

I use a single rope for both. I’m never not hooked into the tree. I got the idea from and arborists video that I watched a few months ago. I’ll try to find the video again. It was a companies safety/instructional video on their linesman. Essentially it’s just a longer lineman belt with two prusiks on it and a loop at either end. I have one loop end attached on my left, linesman goes around tree and then attaches on the right with the nearest prusik. I then daisy chain the extra rope using the other prusik and the the other loop end on my right side leaving enough rope out of the daisy chain for adjustments. When you get to a branch you simple undo the daisy chain and install that over the branch as a new linesman and the undo the original end that was used as a linesman and daisy chain that back in the same spot. Once to your tether height you use the daisy chain part of your tether to make your anchor point. However because your hooked into the linesman there’s no way to girth hitch and using a carabiner from loop to rope creates side load on the carabiner. So instead I carabiner the loop end to the extra prusik that was in the daisy chain. This does two things. One, eliminates side load in the carabiner and puts it on the prusik. Second, with the prusik cinching my girth hitch it eliminates the tether ever sliding if I do happen to create slack for some reason. I then clip my bridge into the prusik on my right side linesman attachment point, snug prusik up a bit, detach carabiner from that prusik that is actually attached to right linesman loop (this prusik is now attached to my bridge from previous step) and then slide prusik to desired point for a comfortable sit.

I know it seems like a complex process but in practice it’s pretty simple and doing this method you only use one rope and your always connected to the tree. The draw back is that this one rope is longer then you think it will need to be. I think mine is about 15’ and I don’t think I could go any shorter. However if you have a nice daisy chain for the extra rope on your side it isn’t an issue once you become accustomed to it. If I can find the video I’ll post it. Hope this helps.

 

[Jgetch]

Found it. This is what I base my system off of.

 

[Arkrider]

I've been thinking about this from the last time I was out. Why wouldn't you just use your tree tether Instead of packing in another rope or one that's too long? You could easily keep a small climbing rated clip biner on the loop end. I realize most of us have different setups but I would think everyone is using a tether and a climbing lanyard/belt.

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[Wirrex]

I run a split tail system for 2 years now. I use two prusiks on my right side biner and climb past branches with ease. Then once I get to height I use the loose end for my tether.

 

[Jgetch]

I run a split tail system for 2 years now. I use two prusiks on my right side biner and climb past branches with ease. Then once I get to height I use the loose end for my tether.

Here I go rambling on about how I do it and post a video and you accurately describe it in two sentences. “Split tail” is a great description too.

 

[EricS]

I love this topic. One of my first issues with the idea of saddle hunting was all the dang ropes involved! Anything that reduces this (even if a bit of an illusion) without excessively compromising safety or function I'm all for.

I use a dual purpose setup I call a TLB (Tether Linemans Belt). It is an HSS safety rope that I removed the prusik and biner from, added a Ropeman1, and added two HSS aluminum biners. Weighs 17 oz. total.

I use it to climb the tree with a biner in each linemans loop on my Kite. For going around branches or when I get to hunting height and need to move the TLB from LB to T I have a AWLM (amsteel whoopie linemans belt) that is girth hitched to one linemans loop on the saddle and has a climb rated Metolius mini biner on it for the other side. It is 7/64" Amsteel. Holds my weight no problem, no slipping. Weighs an amazing 2 oz.! Adjustable and fairly easy to use considering I only use it usually once a climb.

I don't feel any less safe and I dropped more than half a pound of carry weight and it feels like having one less rope (illusion I know). I wear it over my shoulders and hardly know it is there until I need it, and there it is. Plus I saved the expense and potential noise of a second Ropeman1.

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I like how we associate saddle hunting and carrying extra rope. It takes the same amount of rope to climb to hunt from a hang on as it does a saddle. Same thing when we start comparing weights between a saddle and hang on. The mantis weighs less than most hss or four point harnesses. It takes the same amount of rope. The same climbing systems can be used on each one so in the end the stand/ platform is the difference.

 

[BCHunter]

I use 2 tethers with 4 biners that way I can use them for both lineman's belts and tether. 1 switch for every branch instead of going back and forth every time. You can stay connected to the tree at all time with 2 ropes and just use whichever one your not using as a LB at the top for a tether.

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[TNSTAAFL]

I like how we associate saddle hunting and carrying extra rope. It takes the same amount of rope to climb to hunt from a hang on as it does a saddle. Same thing when we start comparing weights between a saddle and hang on. The mantis weighs less than most hss or four point harnesses. It takes the same amount of rope. The same climbing systems can be used on each one so in the end the stand/ platform is the difference.

This is a good point. I agree the platform ends up being the net difference in weight/stuff.

My comment about what felt like excessive ropes came from my vantage point of using climbing stands primarily (Summit & LW). In these systems there is only a tree strap. Yes your harness is bigger than a saddle and has that safety line attached to it but given its permanence it never felt like a separate rope to manage. As I mentioned, I recognize this perception is a bit of an illusion.

I also felt like the bridge was a new rope to manage that was never present in my climbing system. Again, not much different than permanent parts of safety harnesses. Point really is that to a newbie to the site with no product in hand to try out it can feel like a lot of different moving parts (namely ropes).

None of this was ever meant to disparage saddle hunting. I believe my other posts around here have revealed that I an a Koolaid drinking convert! I realize now that my initial reactions were pretty unfounded, but nevertheless they were real to me at the time. Given other variables they might have as easily discouraged me enough to send me on my way.

Sorry if this seems defensive. Not meant to be so. Just explaining my thinking as it might help a new person going through similar evolutions.

Best,
Charlie

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[swampsnyper]

Nice to have a post like the old days for a change!

 

[Vtbow]

I use my tether as a linemans often. The stopper knot is a figure 8 on a bite. Theres a biner on it, I clip it to my linemen loop on right side. My prussic is also clipped there. On my left hip is the end of my tether with an 8 double on a bite(2 loops). There is a biner in each loop on the left hip, only 1 is clipped into my linemans. Get to height, unclip prussik from lm loops, clip to tether. Extend lb. Clip lb between tree and right hip wit extra biner on left hip (wrapping tree now). Unclip both linemans belt biners, raise tether and tighten. Actually works great and is simple. I do carry a double length sling in my pocket for emergencies at all times though...

 

[Catskills]

When I first started I was overwhelmed by the knots and ropes but 6 months later and a bunch of hunts under my belt, I am confident in tying the knots and handling the ropes. Also using a ropeman on the tether and the linemans belt reduces bulk meaning less ropes

 

[redsquirrel]

I don't see a huge advantage to the split tail system. I'm not putting it down, it's very functional, but you are carrying 1 rope that is double length so it is not much of a reduction over my 2 ropes.

As far as why do we use a dedicated one for each? Safety. I could never imagine hooking my tether in on some of the trees I hunt without being hooked in with a lineman's belt. Each piece of gear in my saddle has a dedicated purpose. I could probably climb some of the trees I hunt with my eyes closed and know where everything is and what to do with it.