MESaddleHunt
New Member
There are a lot of better hitches that release easier where a smaller diameter hitch cord could be used. The 10mm is often used by tree workers, but doesn’t grab as well as a smaller diameter and needs more wraps making it harder to slide with the added friction.
I used 8mmm HRC for about a year but it would get tighter than I like for descending. I wouldn't say it was bound up like a fully weighted prusik, but you'd have to work a bit to release it. Too bad because I really like the feel of the HRC, I experimented with other cords and diameters too - beeline 8 & 10, ocean 8mm, and bailout to name a few. There were more that I forgot. I also experimented with the number of wraps and hitches. I finally landed on the micho with 10mm ocean for climbing. Everything else either had more sit back, more slipping, or more binding. At least for me and my set up.
The lanyard thing is new to me this year and the idea about using it as a tether came at the end of the season, so I haven't put much time into flushing it out. I guess with all the hitch options and variables of hitch cord diameter, wraps, and climber weight, experimentation is the only way to really dial in what will work best. I'll mess around, but if you have any specific recommendation about which hitch and cord would work best for the purpose of going back and forth between drt and tether mode, that's what I was hoping to find here.