Ascending tree on a figure eight

[NMSbowhunter]

So you are wanting a way to use a figure 8 to go up a rope that is already set at height, like with srt?

 

[Brocky]

The method I showed does exactly what you’re looking for, with a Sticht Hitch tied to the Eight. When not descending the Eight is just a connector. To descend, a bight of the rope is put through the Eight and clipped on the carabiner, press down on hitch to go.

 

[Marmuzz]

So you are wanting a way to use a figure 8 to go up a rope that is already set at height, like with srt?

Not quite, looking for a way to use a figure eight with a friction hitch for ascending with a method like one-sticking or 2TC so that if ever you want to rappel, you can instantly—while also having the figure eight configuration be “tendable” if you want to pull out slack in the rope or pull yourself closer to the tree when on stand.

 

[Marmuzz]

The method I showed does exactly what you’re looking for, with a Sticht Hitch tied to the Eight. When not descending the Eight is just a connector. To descend, a bight of the rope is put through the Eight and clipped on the carabiner, press down on hitch to go.

Thanks @Brocky. I don’t think I initially understood your two posts as being connected… I thought they were separate ideas. I think that’s the closest I’ve seen so far to what I’m trying to do.

 

[RMcDonald7]

I saw this the other day on facebook. Not sure where, i'll see if I can find it later.

 

[Marmuzz]

This is one way, the stopper knot does the tending, and a method to silence it.
View attachment 71008

Did you install whipping on the smaller eight for silencing? How’s that tan material applied?

 

[Brocky]

That’s Vectran, heat resistant, just wrapped around and tied. Right, a way to prevent metal to metal contact.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

Thanks @Brocky. I don’t think I initially understood your two posts as being connected… I thought they were separate ideas. I think that’s the closest I’ve seen so far to what I’m trying to do.

The setup Brocky has would probably suite you better since the figure 8 is really not easily tendable. I was just using it set at one spot adjusted from the ground. When you get a system you like sorted out let us see it. I might be interested in implementing something like that with 2tc and maybe 25 feet of rappel line.

 

[BowhunterXC]

Maybe it’s not possible. A figure eight is designed for descent, not ascent. So maybe I’m asking a device to accomplish a task for which it wasn’t designed. I’m just probing the possibilities because I know people are using belay devices up and down the tree in ways which the devices weren’t specifically designed for.

As far as up and down the tree, you could consider a Distel hitch with a micro pulley. The drawback is, if it doesn't stop you when you want it to or if you need to stop to remove a platform, etc., it may not hold you in place....AND there's no "backup", like there is with a Figure 8. A Figure 8 has a "soft block" and a "hard block" that will hold you in place with no slippage.
*** This video shows some of the Figure 8 blocking. (Approx. 2:15 to see the Figure 8)
*** The second video shows a guy using the 2TC climbing method, but uses the Distel hitch with a micro pulley, to ascend and rappel. (Approx. 3:20 to see the hitch and pulley)

 

[josh9284]

Figure eight in canyon mode allows for ascending and descending.

 

[josh9284]

 

[gcr0003]

Man this method can be really unsafe. I really wish people would stop sharing it. One of our members here got hurt using it himself from a fall.

1. That mode doesn’t easily break or control friction consistently so once you push hard to reduce rappel you can get in a situation where it lets go of the rope significantly and you can drop real fast, if you don’t close it off you can drop to the bottom.

2. There is the possibility of running it off and over or out of the figure 8.

3. It encourages not using a autoblock, which is a simple backup that is easily deployed. With the risk of quick drops it’s that much risky to not have a back up hitch.

 

[SNIPERBBB]

There was a video on the Facebook group where a guy used to the longer figure 8 and he ran his bridge through the figure 8. Bit sketchy for me because the figure 8 doesn't stay oriented correctly and can cause issues, especially if not backed up.

 

[phatkaw]

A Figure 8 has a "soft block" and a "hard block" that will hold you in place with no slippage.
*** This video shows some of the Figure 8 blocking. (Approx. 2:15 to see the Figure 8)

That video from 'Nice Guy Dave' is what led me to 'The phatkaw Method'.

 

[Brocky]

Not a fig 8, but based on same methods, the multiply horns of the ATS allow a soft connector to a low friction ring on the bridge to be used instead of a carabiner.

 

[phatkaw]

^^^ "Not a fig 8"
Yea, it's a figure 18...

 

[Grant1775]

I dont see why you couldn’t climb with the figure 8 in a hard lock, wouldnt that be okay

 

[jb27]

I'm somewhat of a noob to all of this, so take what I say with a grain of salt... If you're talking about ascending on a stationary line, I don't think there is a way for the figure 8 (rigged conventionally) to tend the line itself on the way up other than by a force being applied by the tag end of the rope with your brake hand. You can change the way you rig it as shown in that one video someone else posted. But if you're climbing the tree and adjusting your tether line as you go up, I don't see what benefit having the figure 8 attached could provide while ascending as it will not in any way be backing up your friction hitch. I understand the reluctance to switch setups at hunting height, including unlocking/opening carabiners. To avoid needing to mess with the tether line with the friction hitch, you could add a secondary/backup bridge to your saddle and have a separate connection for your carabiner/figure 8 which you could attach at hunting height to the tag end under the friction hitch. This doesn't provide the instant ability to repel, but I'm not seeing that as an option without using a different device. Perhaps an ATC would be better suited for what you're looking to do and it would still be a non-mechanical device, if that's what you're after.

 

[Marmuzz]

Perhaps an ATC would be better suited for what you're looking to do and it would still be a non-mechanical device, if that's what you're after.

that’s pretty much what I settled on for this past fall, a hitch above an ATC. Has its flaws but it did work and I’ll probably continue to tinker with it.

 

[Bigfoot522]

I have used several configurations with an 8.
Really, just climb on your best friction hitch.
It will allow you to slack tend as you climb.
When you are ready to descend you pull down on your hitch and take a bite of rope (above the hitch) into your figure 8 and girth hitch a long loop like rock climbers use to the 8 on the small ear and clip it to your bridge carabiner and off you go.