I think I’m done rappelling - Rant/Question

[gettingstarted]

So I have 2 loops on my Canyon C-IV rappel rope; one on each end. One is a continuous loop where I have a brummel lock on it and buried each end. The other I just did a brummel lock and just shrink wrapped the tag ends because I didn't feel like burying the ends. Neither end is going to hold a large amount of weight so this works perfectly. Let me know if you have any more questions.

David View attachment 97462View attachment 97463

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Makes sense. Thank you

 

[Seekbigger]

Another option that works very well is I sometimes use 75’ of 8 mm restec for my rappel rope, I then tie the maverick hitch midline so that I rappel on the load line and use the other line to lower my bow and it becomes my pull down line! Lots of options! Restec is really lightweight and packable, it’s like carrying 35 or 40’ of some of the larger mm ropes!

 

[DOMMA]

It took 20 minutes to pull my rappel rope down. It got tangled with my retrieve rope. Isn’t the first time I’ve fought with retrieving my rappel. In the ideal tree in ideal surroundings I have no problem getting it down but I’ve been hunting in thicker areas with a lot of small vines and brairs surrounding my tree. That’s not as fun retrieving my stuff.

This is one of the most under-reported issues with one-sticking and it has happened to me 2-3 times. Maybe not 20 minutes, but 7-10 minutes of trying to pull the rappel rope down after descending. In thick cover, in areas with multiple trees close together, or if the tree has heavy bark, pulling the rope down can be a challenge.

This specific issue is one of the main reasons I went back to 4 climbing sticks. With the 1 lb. Tethrd sticks that stack tight together, the size/weight advantage of one-stickling is not nearly as compelling.

 

[Cbigbear]

This is one of the most under-reported issues with one-sticking and it has happened to me 2-3 times. Maybe not 20 minutes, but 7-10 minutes of trying to pull the rappel rope down after descending. In thick cover, in areas with multiple trees close together, or if the tree has heavy bark, pulling the rope down can be a challenge.

This specific issue is one of the main reasons I went back to 4 climbing sticks. With the 1 lb. Tethrd sticks that stack tight together, the size/weight advantage of one-stickling is not nearly as compelling.

I agree 100%, however if it just a rappelling issue you can always climb down. Climbing down is huuugggely underrated - it’s actually easier than climbing up - just make sure you use a cam strap & proper technique.

 

[Westdesign03]

The thing about one sticking and rappelling for me is, I almost NEVER hunt in an area that is open enough to reasonably one stick up a tree or rappel down. I always have to fight my way up through crazy thick junk to get high enough in the tree to be just over the thick brush and small trees. Then to rappel back down through all that… I would be tangled up beyond belief and would be a total mess.

 

[dalton916]

I use a retractable dog leash to pull up my bow.
I use the end of my rappel rope to lower my bow.
I use the dog leash to pull down my rappel rope.
I use a section of 1” tubular webbing on my rappel rope.

The beauty of the dog leash (or Doyle’s) for pulling up your bow and pulling down your rappel rope is the leash/Doyle’s is attached to you going up and down so it follows the same path as you and doesn’t get hung up in limbs pulling up your bow or pulling down your rappel rope.

The beauty of the 1” tubular webbing is it protects your rappel rope from the tree bark, it quickly gets fuzzy and helps hold the rappel rope in place (not enough to overcome a delta link though) AND it allows the rappel rope to slide easily through so it’s easy to pull the rope through to release it.

The ONLY time I have EVER had an issue getting my rappel rope down is when I forgot to attach the dog leash to my delta link.

That’s not the best example as I’m only 6’ off the ground in a tiny tree on top of a bench overlooking a creek bottom, but it shows the tubular webbing well.

 

[Horn]

I use a retractable dog leash to pull up my bow.
I use the end of my rappel rope to lower my bow.
I use the dog leash to pull down my rappel rope.
I use a section of 1” tubular webbing on my rappel rope.

The beauty of the dog leash (or Doyle’s) for pulling up your bow and pulling down your rappel rope is the leash/Doyle’s is attached to you going up and down so it follows the same path as you and doesn’t get hung up in limbs pulling up your bow or pulling down your rappel rope.

The beauty of the 1” tubular webbing is it protects your rappel rope from the tree bark, it quickly gets fuzzy and helps hold the rappel rope in place (not enough to overcome a delta link though) AND it allows the rappel rope to slide easily through so it’s easy to pull the rope through to release it.

The ONLY time I have EVER had an issue getting my rappel rope down is when I forgot to attach the dog leash to my delta link.

That’s not the best example as I’m only 6’ off the ground in a tiny tree on top of a bench overlooking a creek bottom, but it shows the tubular webbing well.

Did you do anything to keep the webbing in place ?

 

[dalton916]

No, it slides easily so I just position it where I need/want it when I set up.

I have since added a small 12” nite eyes tie to hold my rope in place. I don’t have a pic of how I do it, but I’ll try to remember to take one tomorrow.

 

[Horn]

Cool, thanks Dalton

 

[Bowjunky39]

I use 35 feet of 8mm Oplux with a OHM tender. My rappel rope serves as my tree tether and I can use it as a retrival rope, however, my Doyle gear hoist is normally all I use to pull my weapon of choice up. I use the WEI steps. I rappel with a double looped figure 8 and a back-up friction hitch. If it ain't broke I don't planning on fixing it.

Are u running your friction hitch below your figure 8 or above?


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[EricS]

I think it’s about like any system and once you commit to it you’ll find a way to make it work for you. Me personally I first started rappelling climbing with spurs. It only took me a couple times of fighting to get my rope out of the tree only to have it fall in a briar bush once loose to decide it was just easier to put my spurs back on in the tree.
Then I decided I would one stick and rappel. I really enjoy zipping down the side of a tree and wanted to make it work. Watched Carl do it a couple times and couldn’t decide what little thing he was doing that made it so easy. I decided I was going to make it work. So I started practicing and it didn’t take long for someone to come out with 1lb sticks. I weighed the pros and cons of using one 2.5lb stick and 40’ of rope vs 3-4 1lb sticks and 10’ of rope. And just like that I had masters one sticking by sticking it back in the gear crate.
I really enjoy rappelling and right now the only way I see me rappelling at the end of a hunt is if I take up srt.

 

[dalton916]

@Horn here ya go.

I just stuck it on a tree at ground level to take the picture. I do NOT go all the the way around the rope with the tie because if you do that and forget to remove it you will never get the rope pulled down. By taking a loop and “hooking” the top with the tie it will hold it in place AND it will pull free when you pull it down.

I still undo it before I come down, this is just in case I forget.

 

[Rg176bnc]

I think you have just come to the honest realization that most of the things driving saddle hunting now are gear driven and not simplistic get it done techniques.

Coming down your sticks is way quieter and faster than carrying a rope to do the same thing. You still have to pack your sticks up, you still have to take them down so I suggest making the packing system for them easier. Find the best way to manage the strap or rope you attach it with. Whats the fastest easiest way to seat them together and then pack them out?

Any fisherman knows you get 2 lines close together and as some point they are getting tangled. Not to mention if I have a good tree I can get multiple hunts out of the last thing I want to do is walk 30 feet this way and 30 feet that way trying to get the rope down.

If your not an arborist or rock climber the chances of you remembering how to tie one of those complicated knots to "easily" retrieve your rope is pretty remote opening day of the season next year imo. Id rather gamble coming down in the dark on a set of sticks that in 20 years of using I've never had a kick out on.

 

[cjr4497]

Yeah, I gave one sticking an honest shot and am really considering going back to sticks. One sticking is just too dangerous, movement filled, loud, and labor intensive for my hunting area. Yeah, on medium sized straight trees with smooth bark and no poison ivy vines it is easy. Other than that it is a noisy, sweaty pain. There are other perks as well such as packability and weight, but what good is that if I am spooking everything within earshot on a not so perfect tree.

Next year I am likely going to invest in 4 Tetherd sticks with double aiders and go back to a platform.

 

[Seekbigger]

Everyone has to try different ways and see what suits them best! I like to try new ways of doing things and I have become very proficient at one sticking, quiet, easy and never break a sweat even in early season! While in Ohio this year, a mile or so deep on public for an all day sit I moved at lunch to a different location, one sticked up 25’ or so and look to my right 57 yards on the rangefinder was a doe and a buck bedded on a point! They had no clue I was there and they laid there for nearly two hours before getting up and feeding right by my stand! For me it’s not an issue at all, others hate it lol, that’s why I gain all the information I can from this forum and friends, pick what I like and discard the rest! First time I tried 2TC I said this stinks, I now really enjoyed it!

 

[spinal tap]

Great thread. I'm picking up some fun things to play around with in the off season (mav hitch etc). You know why I rappel instead of climb down? It scares the $h!t out of me to climb down. I just feel like there are million ways I could slip and fall. The rappel just feels all cuddly and safe. I used to have a hard time with heights but being in a harness and spending lots of time there knowing I'm totally secure from falling has done a lot to cure me. For me, that's the number one reason to rappel. It's also why I one stick. I just feel more secure with my tether line on. I could slip and swing away but I would not hit the ground. Non fatal. Sure there are moments going around limbs but my comfort level is improving


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[30coupe]

Great thread. I'm picking up some fun things to play around with in the off season (mav hitch etc). You know why I rappel instead of climb down? It scares the $h!t out of me to climb down. I just feel like there are million ways I could slip and fall. The rappel just feels all cuddly and safe. I used to have a hard time with heights but being in a harness and spending lots of time there knowing I'm totally secure from falling has done a lot to cure me. For me, that's the number one reason to rappel. It's also why I one stick. I just feel more secure with my tether line on. I could slip and swing away but I would not hit the ground. Non fatal. Sure there are moments going around limbs but my comfort level is improving


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I agree. After starting to rappel down, I just don't feel safe climbing down untethered. In fact even using a hang on stand with a regular safety harness feels rather disconcerting after getting used to saddle hunting. I'm still learning the one-stick game, but each time gets easier as I learn how to tweak my equipment to fit me.

 

[bfriendly]

Great thread. I'm picking up some fun things to play around with in the off season (mav hitch etc). You know why I rappel instead of climb down? It scares the $h!t out of me to climb down. I just feel like there are million ways I could slip and fall. The rappel just feels all cuddly and safe. I used to have a hard time with heights but being in a harness and spending lots of time there knowing I'm totally secure from falling has done a lot to cure me. For me, that's the number one reason to rappel. It's also why I one stick. I just feel more secure with my tether line on. I could slip and swing away but I would not hit the ground. Non fatal. Sure there are moments going around limbs but my comfort level is improving


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No doubt this^^^ for me too. I absolutely feel safer rappelling. I have played with and tweaked my tether more than anything.……also switching back and forth using rappel rope for tether. I prefer a separate tether and have gon back to using a ropeman over a hitch.
Finally getting into the SRT and I’ll do both

 

[GeoFish]

I agree. After starting to rappel down, I just don't feel safe climbing down untethered. In fact even using a hang on stand with a regular safety harness feels rather disconcerting after getting used to saddle hunting. I'm still learning the one-stick game, but each time gets easier as I learn how to tweak my equipment to fit me.

I climb up and down tethrd with sticks or steps.
Also use a linesman rope.

 

[30coupe]

I climb up and down tethrd with sticks or steps.
Also use a linesman rope.

I do too. I guess what I meant was having to move the tether for each stick, even with a lineman's rope, creates slack, which I don't get when rappelling. One sticking down with but a tether and lineman's rope seems both tedious and dangerous.