Saddle upgrade, rappelling stuff

[Westdesign03]

Made some mods to the saddle. Changed out the stock bridge for a Utilibridge from custom AmSteel products. Took me a while to get it set up. Had a lot of trouble with the prusik knot so ended up redoing it. Not perfect but it works for me.

Also going 1 stick climbing next season. Since I’ll be climbing with the tether and hunting off of it, added a prusik to go with the ropeman for safety. Got stuff to rappel out of the tree. Also added a prusik for safety and to be able to stop hands free on the way down if I have to. I’m excited to try all this stuff! Too bad I have to wait months!

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[trailblazer75]

Good setup. Looks nice. I think you'll find that you enjoy rappelling.

One suggestion I'd make is that when you do, shorten your bridge up quite a bit to keep good control.
I'd also transition from my tether (while remaining tethered, just loose) to a lineman's belt, move the prussik DOWN your rope and place your ATC above it. That'll allow you to tend it MUCH easier than using it above the ATC. Above the ATC, the bulk of your friction will be on the prussik where as below, the ATC will take all the friction and your prussik will be an effective autoblock without binding so much and being difficult to break loose in order to continue descending. What I do is just unclip my prussik from my tether and clip it into a linesman's belt look on the right side. It forces me to carry an extra carabiner but it also makes the rappel MUCH easier and smoother. I did it how you have it set up a few times last year and it was a PITA.

 

[Westdesign03]

Good setup. Looks nice. I think you'll find that you enjoy rappelling.

One suggestion I'd make is that when you do, shorten your bridge up quite a bit to keep good control.
I'd also transition from my tether (while remaining tethered, just loose) to a lineman's belt, move the prussik DOWN your rope and place your ATC above it. That'll allow you to tend it MUCH easier than using it above the ATC. Above the ATC, the bulk of your friction will be on the prussik where as below, the ATC will take all the friction and your prussik will be an effective autoblock without binding so much and being difficult to break loose in order to continue descending. What I do is just unclip my prussik from my tether and clip it into a linesman's belt look on the right side. It forces me to carry an extra carabiner but it also makes the rappel MUCH easier and smoother. I did it how you have it set up a few times last year and it was a PITA.

Thanks. Yeah I’m looking forward to the rappelling part. Cool thanks for the info. Never did it before so I’m sure I don’t have everything the way it should be. My thought was to basically hold onto the prusik as I was descending as more of a safety thing rather than a means to start and stop. I’m going to climb 1 stick so I’m planning to basically pack everything up and/or lower everything before I descend so I’m not planning on stopping at all on the way down until I hit the ground. You think that logic makes sense?

I think I follow what you’re describing but do you happen to have any photos of what you’re saying too? Thanks!


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[Deerinthawoods]

There are a few rappelling threads on here. Read through them and you will get all of the setup info you need...along with plenty of other armchair attorney’s opinions.

 

[Westdesign03]

There are a few rappelling threads on here. Read through them and you will get all of the setup info you need...along with plenty of other armchair attorney’s opinions.

Lol great. Sounds good. Thanks.


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[trailblazer75]

Thanks. Yeah I’m looking forward to the rappelling part. Cool thanks for the info. Never did it before so I’m sure I don’t have everything the way it should be. My thought was to basically hold onto the prusik as I was descending as more of a safety thing rather than a means to start and stop. I’m going to climb 1 stick so I’m planning to basically pack everything up and/or lower everything before I descend so I’m not planning on stopping at all on the way down until I hit the ground. You think that logic makes sense?

I think I follow what you’re describing but do you happen to have any photos of what you’re saying too? Thanks!


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I don't but I can take some in a while. Basically, it'll work exactly like you think but your weight will cause that prussik to really stick and be hard to break loose. But if you set it under the ATC, it'll be a lot easier to get it to release while still being just as effective as an emergency stop device or even just something you can let go of to stop and get your stick/platform on the way down the tree. I 1 stick and use the method I'm describing on the way down and even if you are thinking of your prussik as a safety, when its time to actually rappel down the tree you'll load that prussik and won't be able to get it to release under weight, which is why I'm encouraging putting it under the ATC in the system.

 

[Westdesign03]

I don't but I can take some in a while. Basically, it'll work exactly like you think but your weight will cause that prussik to really stick and be hard to break loose. But if you set it under the ATC, it'll be a lot easier to get it to release while still being just as effective as an emergency stop device or even just something you can let go of to stop and get your stick/platform on the way down the tree. I 1 stick and use the method I'm describing on the way down and even if you are thinking of your prussik as a safety, when its time to actually rappel down the tree you'll load that prussik and won't be able to get it to release under weight, which is why I'm encouraging putting it under the ATC in the system.

Gotcha. Thanks for the info. Makes sense but for me always helps to see it too. If you find the time for a quick photo please feel free to share. No obligation but just saying.

I get how the prussik is under the ATC, but how would you normally attach it then to yourself? Just hook it to one of the loops on the saddle or to your bridge somewhere?


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[trailblazer75]

Gotcha. Thanks for the info. Makes sense but for me always helps to see it too. If you find the time for a quick photo please feel free to share. No obligation but just saying.

I get how the prussik is under the ATC, but how would you normally attach it then to yourself? Just hook it to one of the loops on the saddle or to your bridge somewhere?


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I personally put it on my right linesman’s loop.

 

[DeerLaughAtMe]

I also use a klemheist or prusik under the ATC and connect the carabiner to my right linesman’s loop. I like to have at least 8 inches of rope between the prusik and the ATC. Make sure the bridge isn’t too short. If the ATC contacts the prusik it will act as a tender and you’ll go down the tree in a hurry.


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[Westdesign03]

I don't but I can take some in a while. Basically, it'll work exactly like you think but your weight will cause that prussik to really stick and be hard to break loose. But if you set it under the ATC, it'll be a lot easier to get it to release while still being just as effective as an emergency stop device or even just something you can let go of to stop and get your stick/platform on the way down the tree. I 1 stick and use the method I'm describing on the way down and even if you are thinking of your prussik as a safety, when its time to actually rappel down the tree you'll load that prussik and won't be able to get it to release under weight, which is why I'm encouraging putting it under the ATC in the system.

So I tried what I think you were describing. Makes perfect sense to put the prussik on the side like this. Takes just enough tension to keep the rope taught on the ATC. For some reason I was thinking you would be hanging lop sided if the ATC failed to grab the rope for some reason. Doesn’t throw you at all. I’m amazed how easy it is to loosen the prussik to start to lower yourself again. Most definitely using this method!!

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[DeerLaughAtMe]

So I tried what I think you were describing. Makes perfect sense to put the prussik on the side like this. Takes just enough tension to keep the rope taught on the ATC. For some reason I was thinking you would be hanging lop sided if the ATC failed to grab the rope for some reason. Doesn’t throw you at all. I’m amazed how easy it is to loosen the prussik to start to lower yourself again. Most definitely using this method!!

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Do you have a lineman’s loop you can use instead of the bridge loop?


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[Westdesign03]

Do you have a lineman’s loop you can use instead of the bridge loop?


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I do, but the lineman’s loop on this saddle is a little small and flimsy. You think it’s better to connect the prussik to that instead? Didn’t seem like it would be a big difference to me.


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[TheBigJWilly28]

I do, but the lineman’s loop on this saddle is a little small and flimsy. You think it’s better to connect the prussik to that instead? Didn’t seem like it would be a big difference to me.


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The prusik does not hold all your weight so it will be fine to hook on to the linemans loop. Its meant as a third hand so you can let go of the rope and have both hands free. Connecting it there should move the prusik further from your atc allowing you to shorten your bridge up a little giving you a little more control on the way down. If you have a climbing gym near you I would see if you can get in there and do a couple classes. I have a nice gym not too far from me that has a rappelling class.

 

[trailblazer75]

I do, but the lineman’s loop on this saddle is a little small and flimsy. You think it’s better to connect the prussik to that instead? Didn’t seem like it would be a big difference to me.


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That's an H2 right? That's what I use on mine. Never worried about it because the webbing is rated for over 6000 lbs.

 

[Westdesign03]

The prusik does not hold all your weight so it will be fine to hook on to the linemans loop. Its meant as a third hand so you can let go of the rope and have both hands free. Connecting it there should move the prusik further from your atc allowing you to shorten your bridge up a little giving you a little more control on the way down. If you have a climbing gym near you I would see if you can get in there and do a couple classes. I have a nice gym not too far from me that has a rappelling class.

Right. I realized that after I tried it in the house the other day. Makes sense. I will try it again with the prussik on the lineman’s loop. Good idea to check out a rappelling class. Didn’t think about that. Thanks for the tip!


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[Westdesign03]

That's an H2 right? That's what I use on mine. Never worried about it because the webbing is rated for over 6000 lbs.

Yeah it’s an H2. Makes sense. I’m not so worried about the strap as I am the sewing holding it on there I guess. That’s why I tried the bridge loop first.


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[bj139]

Make sure you feel comfortable just sitting in the saddle for long periods hanging from your tether. Having the saddle slip up your butt while you are hanging is no fun and there is nothing to stand on to pull it down until you get your stick set again. Here is my preferred saddle height on my butt/upper leg.

 

[Westdesign03]

The prusik does not hold all your weight so it will be fine to hook on to the linemans loop. Its meant as a third hand so you can let go of the rope and have both hands free. Connecting it there should move the prusik further from your atc allowing you to shorten your bridge up a little giving you a little more control on the way down. If you have a climbing gym near you I would see if you can get in there and do a couple classes. I have a nice gym not too far from me that has a rappelling class.

Just tried having the prussik on the lineman’s loop. I like it even better. Will be doing it this way for sure.

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[Westdesign03]

Make sure you feel comfortable just sitting in the saddle for long periods hanging from your tether. Having the saddle slip up your butt while you are hanging is no fun and there is nothing to stand on to pull it down until you get your stick set again. Here is my preferred saddle height on my butt/upper leg.

Yeah for sure that sucks to have it ride up. Didn’t really have a big problem with that so far over all in the saddle. The H2 seems to be pretty good about not riding up much, at least on me. That does look pretty far down in the video but looks like it works well.


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[bj139]

Yeah for sure that sucks to have it ride up. Didn’t really have a big problem with that so far over all in the saddle. The H2 seems to be pretty good about not riding up much, at least on me. That does look pretty far down in the video but looks like it works well.


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I push up using SRT with my right leg. My left leg is free to bend so as to keep the saddle under my center of gravity. If the saddle does start sliding up, I raise my knees and it moves back into place.