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BETTER than a Distel Hitch?

So many of these friction hitches look like someone doing the pee pee dance.

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A couple of slight variations of the Distel, and probably the inspiration for it.
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Most hitches will bind up if used to descend on a stationary/fixed rope, there are a few that do give an easy, controlled release.
Twisting the eyes will sometimes help a hitch that doesn’t want to grab reliably.
Another tip is to always make sure both legs of the hitch are being loaded.
 
I think the object is to find the sweet spot of the number of wraps, too few and it doesn’t grab, too many and the unneeded friction makes the hitch harder to slide. And with some hitches the leg length needs to be kept to a minimum for it to properly function. If the cord isn’t the right length, the climber has to choose between the two options. A too long Distel can be reset to hold each time it is advanced, but not really desirable in the long run.
 
tmattson said:
Is there a limit on number of wraps using distel, or just limited by length of it?
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I can't see the safety of it diminishing with number of wraps. Eventually, it just won't ever move, once you get too many. Too few and when you put your weight on it, then it will slide. Of course, experiment at ground level. Also, the rope being wet might affect this.
 
Please keep posting updates as people try this out in the field.
 
I used the same 6mm TRC (on Oplux tether) that I had used for my Distel and tied this hitch and it slipped worse than the Distel. But.......it takes slightly more length than a Distel does and I honestly feel like the tag ends of both hitches were too short. Way too short.....like almost no extra at all.

Just like the Distel it only slid when I was hanging straight down to move my stick. I wouldn’t decide against this hitch or a Distel based off of my experience, but I would highly recommend you use enough rope to have several inches of tag end between the carabiner and the hitch itself.
 
With my 7mm VT eye to eye, on Oplux, a 5over1 Schwabisch seem to work fairly well, even when hanging vertical full weight, as far as slipping.
 
Anyone using 500 pound paracord (thickness of that) for a tender? Thought I remember a video some time back. Want to try that on the set up I just mentioned, as well as Beal Jammy on the Oplux.
 
I use 550 cord on my tenders. Heck, a shoestring would work.
 
dalton916 said:
I used the same 6mm TRC (on Oplux tether) that I had used for my Distel and tied this hitch and it slipped worse than the Distel. But.......it takes slightly more length than a Distel does and I honestly feel like the tag ends of both hitches were too short. Way too short.....like almost no extra at all.

Just like the Distel it only slid when I was hanging straight down to move my stick. I wouldn’t decide against this hitch or a Distel based off of my experience, but I would highly recommend you use enough rope to have several inches of tag end between the carabiner and the hitch itself.
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Have you tried adding an extra wrap to your distel? I'm also using Oplux and TRC, and the 4 wraps that animated knots website showed would slip with my body weight. I added 1 more wrap and now it locks up super tight.
 
My field experience has been great. This hitch works so much better than any others I have tried. No need for a tender, holds tight, and can easily be manipulated with one hand.
 
okccj said:
What shape carabiner do you all find best with these types of hitches? (using with my tether).
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Ovals help to keep the hitch centered, and from wandering around the carabiner causing the potential for side loading.
 
I thought I would share my set up. I use a 4 over 1 TRC Distel on a 8mm Oplux tether locks up good. I add an alpine butterfly with a nice loop size to use as a handle. I don’t use a tender to save on extra noise.
 

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this hitch seems to work real well with 7mm VT prusik cord and 8 mm Resc. Tech. after repeated loading it was getting a little tough to tend without a tender. but held real well with just 3 wraps on top (usually use 4 for a Valdotain Tresse). it's kind of like a cross between a michoacan and valdotain tresse.
 
Looks alot like a Blake's Hitch (Which I like for LB w a tender) Only difference is one less wrap over tag and you need to use both ends throuch a biner where a Blaeks you can tie one end to a biner and have a free tag end.
 
I think it’s more the Michoacán is a double eye Blake’s, and the Distel is a double eye Tautline, which is a multi-wrap clove hitch.
 
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