Saddle hunters,
I am introducing a never-been-done-before method to climb trees using ONE rope and a series of hitches, which I am calling JRB Hitch Climbing. The reason I know it has never been done before, is because I devised the two hitches that are used in this climb, and I am working with the International Guild of Knot Tyers to have them recognized and published. You can find info on the JRB Hitch and the Saddle Hunter's Hitch on my channel.
Background: Ok, some background on me and my system and methods. I have been deer hunting out of trees for 40+ years... and 14 years ago, long before I ever heard of saddle hunting, I built my own DIY seat and rope climbing system and started hunting on a rope. And its been very good for me in terms of my success as a hunter. I was always a DdRT/MRS climber, but hanging out with a lot of arborists, I see how the ARBs are going to SRT/SRS. It has some advantages, but also some disadvantages (save that for another chat). After a lot of thought and experimentation, I came up with a different way to rope climb, which we are are calling the JRB Climbing method: My primary rope climbing method uses a DOUBLED rope, but the rope is STATIONARY as I climb it, basically like SRT but on two strands at the same time. I do not use any mechanical devices and I don't tie any knots at the tree. I feel it has significant advantages over both DdRT/MRS AND SRT, and so that is how I climb. Now, this post is not going to be about that METHOD, but it is going utilize the same rope SYSTEM. If you want to see how I set up the SYSTEM, that info is on my channel, under the playlist JRB Tree Climbing Method, and look for the video for Rigging and Climbing a new Rope (and anything else you're interested in). If you want more info on that method, there is a playlist on my channel dedicated to the JRB Climbing Method. But THIS video and this method is different. This video introduces my 2nd METHOD, but I can execute it on the same rope SYSTEM.
Why am I am publishing this video? First, I am not selling it or anything. I do this for fun and to grow the sport and to promote safety and keep our butts out of a wheelchair. I am not proposing that everybody should start climbing this way. But I am saying this: If I can climb a tree in an ultra minimal system (I don't even carry a pack) which uses no sticks and no steps and no platform and no lineman's belt, and no tether ... and I can stay tied into the tree the ENTIRE time... well, then I don't really wanna hear that stick climbers find it too difficult to tie in, and feel adequately safe because they have lineman's belt on. We only need a stick to kick out ONCE, or a strap to break ONCE, or a cam cleat to give ONCE, or a DIY aider to go ONCE in order for us to be seriously hurt, or worse. Just because Bubba said he "never had a problem with it", that does not mean he or you won't, nor should you bet your life on it. And so my demonstration is really just meant to be thought provoking. It's a highly technical climb, but I now have no use for my climbing sticks. The only time I used them the last few years was to set a false crotch for rope climbing on a tree that had no crotches. Well, now I can do so with this. And the beauty is that I am TIED IN the whole way and that I didn't need a throwball to use it. I can climb a telephone pole if I wanted to. And I can bypass any branches that are in my way AND stay tied in the entire time. I would love your feedback. There isn't yet adequate info to duplicate it, but I can provide that if there is an audience.
I am introducing a never-been-done-before method to climb trees using ONE rope and a series of hitches, which I am calling JRB Hitch Climbing. The reason I know it has never been done before, is because I devised the two hitches that are used in this climb, and I am working with the International Guild of Knot Tyers to have them recognized and published. You can find info on the JRB Hitch and the Saddle Hunter's Hitch on my channel.
Background: Ok, some background on me and my system and methods. I have been deer hunting out of trees for 40+ years... and 14 years ago, long before I ever heard of saddle hunting, I built my own DIY seat and rope climbing system and started hunting on a rope. And its been very good for me in terms of my success as a hunter. I was always a DdRT/MRS climber, but hanging out with a lot of arborists, I see how the ARBs are going to SRT/SRS. It has some advantages, but also some disadvantages (save that for another chat). After a lot of thought and experimentation, I came up with a different way to rope climb, which we are are calling the JRB Climbing method: My primary rope climbing method uses a DOUBLED rope, but the rope is STATIONARY as I climb it, basically like SRT but on two strands at the same time. I do not use any mechanical devices and I don't tie any knots at the tree. I feel it has significant advantages over both DdRT/MRS AND SRT, and so that is how I climb. Now, this post is not going to be about that METHOD, but it is going utilize the same rope SYSTEM. If you want to see how I set up the SYSTEM, that info is on my channel, under the playlist JRB Tree Climbing Method, and look for the video for Rigging and Climbing a new Rope (and anything else you're interested in). If you want more info on that method, there is a playlist on my channel dedicated to the JRB Climbing Method. But THIS video and this method is different. This video introduces my 2nd METHOD, but I can execute it on the same rope SYSTEM.
Why am I am publishing this video? First, I am not selling it or anything. I do this for fun and to grow the sport and to promote safety and keep our butts out of a wheelchair. I am not proposing that everybody should start climbing this way. But I am saying this: If I can climb a tree in an ultra minimal system (I don't even carry a pack) which uses no sticks and no steps and no platform and no lineman's belt, and no tether ... and I can stay tied into the tree the ENTIRE time... well, then I don't really wanna hear that stick climbers find it too difficult to tie in, and feel adequately safe because they have lineman's belt on. We only need a stick to kick out ONCE, or a strap to break ONCE, or a cam cleat to give ONCE, or a DIY aider to go ONCE in order for us to be seriously hurt, or worse. Just because Bubba said he "never had a problem with it", that does not mean he or you won't, nor should you bet your life on it. And so my demonstration is really just meant to be thought provoking. It's a highly technical climb, but I now have no use for my climbing sticks. The only time I used them the last few years was to set a false crotch for rope climbing on a tree that had no crotches. Well, now I can do so with this. And the beauty is that I am TIED IN the whole way and that I didn't need a throwball to use it. I can climb a telephone pole if I wanted to. And I can bypass any branches that are in my way AND stay tied in the entire time. I would love your feedback. There isn't yet adequate info to duplicate it, but I can provide that if there is an audience.
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