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How many SH users rappel as an aspect of their saddle approach?

A

Alaska at Heart

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2023
Messages
471
Location
West Michigan
I have some friends who have taken up the JRB/Maverick technique of ascending and then rappelling down at the conclusion of their hunts. Both friends have repeatedly urged me to try it, so I've been watching some videos, purchaseed a barely used rappelling kit, learned the Munter hitch and been practicing on a yard tree the past week. That entailed adding a secondary bridge and ordering a Petzl William large autolock carabiner for the Munter to work smoothly. The rappelling kit came with Madrock Safeguard, but after trying it a couple times, I went to the Munter and have the virtually new Safeguard up for sale. JRB recommends a reduncant attachment, so I added a Longhorn Agile to the Canyon IV rope to attach my main bridge, so there is little chance of a mishap.

So my inquiry is how many utilizing rappelling as a regular (or even irregular) aspect of your saddle hunting? My primary ascending method has been sticks...better and more expensive versions...over the past coupler years. Last year I incorporated presets into my system more frequently and could see using rappelling in place of climbing down when I am planning to leave the sticks in the woods. I've also been delving into 2TC and the Maverick system out of curiosity. The recent thread with the video of a variety of ascending methods run side-by-side was enlightening as well. If a bowhunter carriers more than one arrow and golfers more than one club, it makes a certain amount of sense to have more than one favorite approach to the excusion of all others. What say ye?
 
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i havent made the full jrb/ maverick hitch move yet, but i rappel down almost 100% of the time. every once in a while i 2TC down if i think im goingto have a hard time keeping the rappel rope from getting stuck on branches etc but a lot of the trees where i hunt are telephone poles up past 30'
 
In the past 2 years, I've tried so many different climbing methods, it's embarrassing how much money I've spent on accessories, parts, etc. However, I have a better perspective on what I like and what works for me for my style of hunting. :)
No matter how I climb, I don't climb down, I rappel down. It's just too easy, safe and quiet.
 
Mark me down for rappelling, regardless of climbing method. If im climbing sticks, my tether is my rappel rope. I just pull out what I need and leave the rest coiled in my side pouch. Same with one sticking. On 2tc, my top tether is my rappel rope. Same deal, I just pull out what I need and leave the rest coiled. I don't like the long rope dangling down, especially one sticking. SRT is the only exception to this, since im using the rope to climb.

Im using the madrock to rappel for all methods, and ascending when I SRT. I want to get better with the figure 8, and also learn the munter.

BT
 
Started saddle hunting last year with sticks, after a few trips, gave up and went full send into JRB's methods. Maverick pole with the Maverick hitch, long horn agile and garda foot loop to ascend. Munter or super munter to rappel. It definitely takes some getting used to. But it's second nature now. I love it!

PGohil
WV
 
The Miunter is as simple as it gets. Watch the JRB rappelling video, try it a couple times and that is all it takes.

My rappel kit came with a quick link and that is what I have been using for yard practice. Is anyone using them in the woods or going to one of the hitches? JRB is big on the Mavverik, but I saw on ACO's website in conjunction with the Maverick pole that they offer other options as well.
 
I rappel down when one-sticking and 2TC down when 2TCing. (usually)

I can't JRB anything so I use a figure eight.

I switched from quick links to light weight non-locking carabiners.

I prefer climbing and hunting from a seperate tether and only bust out the rappel rope if I'm gonna rappel...
 
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phatkaw said:
I rappel down when one-sticking and 2TC down when 2TCing.

I can't JRB anything so I use a figure eight.

I switched from quick links to light weight non-locking carabiners.

I prefer climbing and hunting from a seperate tether and only bust out the rappel rope if I'm gonna rappel...
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Is your perpective on JRB a personal view or from trying his methods? I know some are turned off by his videos, but I have learned quite a bit and at least plan to test them against other options.
 
Alaska at Heart said:
Is your perpective on JRB a personal view or from trying his methods? I know some are turned off by his videos, but I have learned quite a bit and at least plan to test them against other options.
Click to expand...
I would like to tell you I'm too dumb, please believe that I am! But experience steers me away from the JRB stuff. I find other hitches simpler and work at least as well if not better.

I've never been so sketched out as I have using the Maverick hitch. Probably the ropes I choose to use but no way am I doing that Maverick hitch again! It doesn't choke the tree good enough to me, and I 100% stare at it thinking I'm going to fall the whole way down.

I'm using an tube or atc now, but I also like a figure 8 or plate. Munter doesn't always give me the friction I want, and I had twisting issues. Super hunter does help a lot with twisting but it can be too much friction.
 
I watched the Maverick hitch video a couple times and it looks rather odd. On the Ape Canyon website that sells the Maverick extension pole, they offer other hitches and that prompted me to include the Maverick hitch in this thread for review. If you are using a different rappel rope hitch, please share your reasons and results. So far in testing, I;m OK with the Munter and liked it better than a mechanical Safeguard. I tested the 'super' Munter and at 200#, it seems to just hang and need to be hand fed. Keep the feedback coming as I like a well rounded perspective without doing all the leg work myself.
 
Munter hitch is super easy but you need to have a way to stop and grab your stick or platform on the way down. Even with a second bridge I can get a little cramped between the Munter and secondary bridge and my main bridge carabiner and hitch.

I love this dude's way of getting back down to the ground...
Been doing this for more than 4 years and haven't found anything that beats it!
 
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I've not tried a Figure 8, but that does look interesting. With the Munter, I have a JRB Longhorn Agile hitch tied above and attached to my primary bridge that is extended out full length. I tend the Longhorn with my right hand and Munter with my left...and can stop securely at any point by simply adjusting the Longhorn to that height. But it is more involved than what the video is showing with the Figure 8 locking ablility. I also noticed in that video that he is using a ring stopper on the rappel rope to keek the quick link from opening up and sliding down the tree trunk before tension is engaged. This is precisely what I was hoping for when I originated the thread...multiple ways to 'skin a cat' and choose what works best for me. Thanks Mr Kaw
 
Alaska at Heart said:
I also noticed in that video that he is using a ring stopper on the rappel rope to keek the quick link from opening up and sliding down the tree trunk before tension is engaged. This is precisely what I was hoping for when I originated the thread...multiple ways to 'skin a cat' and choose what works best for me.
Click to expand...
I also like finding better ways to skin cats!
That's one of the reasons I switched to carabiners instead of heavy quick links.

That video is 4 years old now and if you notice there wasn't a 2nd bridge back then either...
 
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