Friction hitch forever over a Ropeman for me 100% of the time.
I was explaining the dangers of a Ropeman to a buddy of mine and he was buying it. 2 minutes later and he on a platform 2’ off the ground perpendicular To the force of gravity and trying to figure out WTH just happened.
I guess I'm on the other side of this issue. I've attempted to get away from my Ropeman 1 and use a hitch, but I've had more than one of those hitches either slip or bite the rope so hard it was difficult to break them lose.
Hitches that I've tried: JRB Ascender, Blakes, Distel with and without a micro pulley, VT hitch and Asymmetrical Prusik. These hitches would either bite the rope so hard that it was difficult to brake them lose or they wouldn't hold in place consistently.
I've had the least amount of issues with the standard Prusik, when tied with a double eye prusik cord vs. a continuous loop cord. When rappelling, I used a Figure 8 backed up with a standard Prusik, using a double eye cord, above the Figure 8.
Here's a photo of it in the background of my climbing stick.
View attachment 71007
Yep, 8mm hitch cord, but with 9mm Oplux.I started this thread just to have a little fun really. Not too serious.
I should mic the mainline to show how much the Ropeman squished it though...
I like your setup ^^^.
It kinda looks like you've got 8mm hitch cord on 8mm Oplux???
That might have sumthin' to do with why a standard Prusik grabs for you?
Part of the equation is the type of rope you utilize and also the diameter ratio of cord to the main rope. I’ve never had issues with schwabisch (asymmetrical prusik) or distel. I prefer them around 70 to 80% for ease of breaking them loose. If they aren’t as consistent as you like, simply add one extra wrap on top.I guess I'm on the other side of this issue. I've attempted to get away from my Ropeman 1 and use a hitch, but I've had more than one of those hitches either slip or bite the rope so hard it was difficult to break them lose.
Hitches that I've tried: JRB Ascender, Blakes, Distel with and without a micro pulley, VT hitch and Asymmetrical Prusik. These hitches would either bite the rope so hard that it was difficult to brake them lose or they wouldn't hold in place consistently.
I've had the least amount of issues with the standard Prusik, when tied with a double eye prusik cord vs. a continuous loop cord. When rappelling, I used a Figure 8 backed up with a standard Prusik, using a double eye cord, above the Figure 8.
Here's a photo of it in the background of my climbing stick.
View attachment 71007
Big Mike, I gotta disagree. I’d rather use a mechanical on my tether where I know it’s consistently tensioned and I can limit my fall distance to mere inches. On a positioning lanyard (ie: lineman’s rope) your potential fall distance is typically farther and less controlled. For this reason I feel the mechanical is the worst option. Since your lineman’s rope is rarely ever fully weighted, I’ve found friction hitches with tenders move easier on a lineman’s rope than they do on a bridge or tether.I suppose an argument could be made against it as a tether, but as a lineman's belt it's the best there is period. I've never had as issue nor have ever known anyone else have an issue. Its perfect
I know this is a little off topic but do you just tend / squeeze the prussic and the rope advances decent through the 8 on rappel? I’m currently running a michoacan (my tether hitch when set up) as a backup, but below the 8…I guess I'm on the other side of this issue. I've attempted to get away from my Ropeman 1 and use a hitch, but I've had more than one of those hitches either slip or bite the rope so hard it was difficult to break them lose.
Hitches that I've tried: JRB Ascender, Blakes, Distel with and without a micro pulley, VT hitch and Asymmetrical Prusik. These hitches would either bite the rope so hard that it was difficult to brake them lose or they wouldn't hold in place consistently.
I've had the least amount of issues with the standard Prusik, when tied with a double eye prusik cord vs. a continuous loop cord. When rappelling, I used a Figure 8 backed up with a standard Prusik, using a double eye cord, above the Figure 8.
Here's a photo of it in the background of my climbing stick.
I only use a prusik, when I'm rappelling and I use it with a Figure 8. I like this setup, because I need to stop rappelling long enough to remove my platform and climbing stick. I can use a hard block feature on the Figure 8, to sit/stop in one place without concern for slippage.I know this is a little off topic but do you just tend / squeeze the prussic and the rope advances decent through the 8 on rappel? I’m currently running a michoacan (my tether hitch when set up) as a backup, but below the 8…
Yes, hold tight on the rope below the fig 8 with your brake hand and push down on the hitch with the other. The hitch will release easier if the 8 is weighted first.I know this is a little off topic but do you just tend / squeeze the prussic and the rope advances decent through the 8 on rappel? I’m currently running a michoacan (my tether hitch when set up) as a backup, but below the 8…
That’s why I asked, because the hitch won’t bind as tight when it’s below the figure 8, I was curious about this because it does look more convenient… but if the hitch bites then you’re just hanging unless you have a stick to stand on.Man, I was just outside trying that ^^^ and it SUCKS with a normal Prusik.
I tried it with a Klemheist and that wasn't much better...