Lightest SRT or Rappel

[weekender21]

Carabiner and Paracord attached to the girth hitch.

Hopefully this picture helps. I’m standing at the bottom of my tree after pulling the rope down. I also use paracord and a small carabiner.

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[weekender21]

Jcline84 you tube video shows how it is used. He is using a prussic instead of the Sterling hollow block, but it can be used in the same manner.

Just to clear up some verbiage here:

An autoblock is a tension knot like the prusik but is tied differently. In this video he uses a prusik.

Sterling hollow block is a 6.8mm loop made by sterling that can be used as a prusik, autoblock and several other tension knots.

Easy to get the terms confused.

I’m a big fan of my Sterling hollow block but you can use any quality “prusik cord” for the Prusik or autoblock.

If you’re new to climbing and these knots and terms are foreign, it’s a good idea to do a little research or even sign up for a climbing class in your area. #yearofsafety


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[justsomedude]

I'm thinking about trying out one-stick climbing, then rappel down, sort of like @boyne bowhunter demo'd in a video around here somewhere. Is a device like an ATC or a Mega Jul capable of reliably locking to use like I'd use a ropeman1 on my tether/rappel line, or "yes but with ___ as a lock/backup" ?

Looking for setup suggestions. I'd like to keep the price down and see ATCs or Mega Juls are less than half the cost of a safeguard/lifeguard, but have no experience with any of them yet to know what's safe/applicable

Get the ATC Sport. A little lighter and only works with single rope.
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/atc-rappel-with-a-bridge.2024/
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/types-of-rappel-rigs.2499/

 

[Shot thru]

Hopefully this picture helps. I’m standing at the bottom of my tree after pulling the rope down. I also use paracord and a small carabiner.

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Just so I am clear, you need your hunting height x2 in rope length. For a permanent set up you could use your rope to pull the paracord back up and leave it hanging in the tree for when you come back. Again 2x needed in paracord length.

 

[mattsteg]

You don't need your climbing height x2 of climbing rope. Half of that length can be paracord, throw line, etc.

 

[justsomedude]

Just so I am clear, you need your hunting height x2 in rope length. For a permanent set up you could use your rope to pull the paracord back up and leave it hanging in the tree for when you come back. Again 2x needed in paracord length.

2x rope length would be if you double rope Rappel which you can do with a normal ATC and your rope over a branch and then just pull it over.
You don't want that.
You just need a rope retrieval method like above and posted in my link a few posts up.

Same for Paracord. I use the same for pulling up my bow and pack.
I lower my bow and pack with the other end attached to my Rappel rope.
Then use that for retrieval

 

[DanielB89]

Just to clear up some verbiage here:

An autoblock is a tension knot like the prusik but is tied differently. In this video he uses a prusik.

Sterling hollow block is a 6.8mm loop made by sterling that can be used as a prusik, autoblock and several other tension knots.

Easy to get the terms confused.

I’m a big fan of my Sterling hollow block but you can use any quality “prusik cord” for the Prusik or autoblock.

If you’re new to climbing and these knots and terms are foreign, it’s a good idea to do a little research or even sign up for a climbing class in your area. #yearofsafety


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Thank you for clarifying that! I was treading through the replies and couldn't piece 1 and 1 together. haha.

I am currently using a petzl ascender and the safeguard. That is all I have used up until this point. Any recommendations on adding a little more safety? I will gladly accept any advice.

 

[weekender21]

Thank you for clarifying that! I was treading through the replies and couldn't piece 1 and 1 together. haha.

I am currently using a petzl ascender and the safeguard. That is all I have used up until this point. Any recommendations on adding a little more safety? I will gladly accept any advice.

I recommend rappelling with an ATC and friction knot backup. At least until you understand the potential risk you’re taking with the belay device. Just smart to understand the proper application of a specific device before considering deviation from that application.


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[weekender21]

Just so I am clear, you need your hunting height x2 in rope length. For a permanent set up you could use your rope to pull the paracord back up and leave it hanging in the tree for when you come back. Again 2x needed in paracord length.

Not quite double stand-height or hunting-height rope length but there are advantages to being able to hold both ends of your actual rappel rope while standing at the base of your tree. With a 40’ rope you could easily have it connected at 25’ yet reach both ends from the ground. Just a personal preference though. As mentioned you could add a length of paracord or similar.

I use a completely separate (from my pre-set cord) 30’ section of paracord and carabiner to remove my rope. Again just personal preference. Presets can remain in the woods a long time. You don’t want to break a weathered rope trying to retrieve your main line and it takes the complex part out of rope retrieval.


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[Sandor27]

Is a device like an ATC or a Mega Jul capable of reliably locking to use like I'd use a ropeman1 on my tether/rappel line"

I bought the Jul device and returned it the same day. It would not lock on 9.5mm static line. It would lock on 11.5mm climbing rope though only with a full size carabiner. It is very heavy for an ATC, and pretty large. I do not recommend it for skinny rope.

 

[justsomedude]

It takes some getting used to using the lever on your Safeguard and releasing the auto block with your other hand, but it makes repelling so much safer that way. Jamie is using an ATC with a prusik back up. There are several different knots you can use for a friction hitch just be sure it holds the rope with your hands free, that way if the belay device fails you have something to catch you. I like this video explaining the difference between hands free and not hands free.

I really disliked using a GriGri with an Autoblock.
I found it very hard to be smooth.
ATC Pilot or ATC Sport for me with a Sterling Hollowblock

 

[justsomedude]

One nice plus with the ATC....
You don’t have to unclip it to rig the rope.
Makes it less sketchy and less likely to drop it

I had one setup where I kept it attached to my bridge and off to the side in a pouch. Never unclipped. And the same for my autoblock

 

[paxamus]

I’m going to give the GriGri+ a shot in the off season. I figure that way I can stop on the way down and take off steps/sticks with both hands


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[Danny75]

I’m going to give the GriGri+ a shot in the off season. I figure that way I can stop on the way down and take off steps/sticks with both hands


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Look into the Petzl Rig 2018 model


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[justsomedude]

I’m going to give the GriGri+ a shot in the off season. I figure that way I can stop on the way down and take off steps/sticks with both hands


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A couple of things to know:
You aren't supposed to let go of your brake hand with any device without tying it off.
The weight, bulk and noise of the GriGri isn't worth the hassle in my experience.

I went through a few mechanical devices and went back to basics.

Using an ATC with an Autobock allows you to easily pause your descent and use both hands without having to tie anything off at all. EASY and safe and cheap. Lightweight and no moving parts.

Posted in my thread about rappeling with a bridge, I could even control my Autoblock braking by leaning my body to one side (you are controlling the break end with your leg). You just take a few seconds to add the auto block. Convenient AND a proper safety move

 

[paxamus]

A couple of things to know:
You aren't supposed to let go of your brake hand with any device without tying it off.
The weight, bulk and noise of the GriGri isn't worth the hassle in my experience.

I went through a few mechanical devices and went back to basics.

Using an ATC with an Autobock allows you to easily pause your descent and use both hands without having to tie anything off at all. EASY and safe and cheap. Lightweight and no moving parts.

Posted in my thread about rappeling with a bridge, I could even control my Autoblock braking by leaning my body to one side (you are controlling the break end with your leg). You just take a few seconds to add the auto block. Convenient AND a proper safety move

Thanks! I’d rather be safe than anything I’m going to give spurs a shot this year and want to get down safely in the dark. Where is that thread you were referencing?


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[JBDaddy]

This is my rappel set up. Simple, lightweight and safe. Great for one sticking. I tried quite a few options but settled on this.

Short bridge-Sterling sling
Autoblock-Sterling Hollowblock
ATC-Petzl Verso

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This looks like what I'm interested in, I think. Do you leave it connected that way all the way up the tree, while hunting, and all the way back down, or is that just for the rappel back down? I suspect it's just for the way down, since i would think the autoblock gets unwieldy during the ascent and while hunting.

So when you're at height and on a platform/ROS, you switch to the amsteel bridge plus a ropeman and carabiner?

I was wondering if a single device could be used in all phases. Like an amsteel bridge, carabiner, plus Sterling ATS, or ATC, or Rock Exotica Mini 8 - long as there was a reliable lock involved that could be trusted. I'm worried about when there's slack (like you've just climbed up your stick and need to move your tether up) or you're standing on your platform, etc. I wouldn't want the rope setup to move/slide... but I would want it reasonably easy to switch into rappel operation for when it's time to come down, fingers are cold/wet, gotta stop and undo platform & stick, etc.

Sorry for repeating some questions here, or asking dumb ones. The concept is really capturing my attention to save weight.

 

[mattsteg]

This looks like what I'm interested in, I think. Do you leave it connected that way all the way up the tree, while hunting, and all the way back down, or is that just for the rappel back down? I suspect it's just for the way down, since i would think the autoblock gets unwieldy during the ascent and while hunting.

So when you're at height and on a platform/ROS, you switch to the amsteel bridge plus a ropeman and carabiner?

I was wondering if a single device could be used in all phases. Like an amsteel bridge, carabiner, plus Sterling ATS, or ATC, or Rock Exotica Mini 8 - long as there was a reliable lock involved that could be trusted. I'm worried about when there's slack (like you've just climbed up your stick and need to move your tether up) or you're standing on your platform, etc. I wouldn't want the rope setup to move/slide... but I would want it reasonably easy to switch into rappel operation for when it's time to come down, fingers are cold/wet, gotta stop and undo platform & stick, etc.

Sorry for repeating some questions here, or asking dumb ones. The concept is really capturing my attention to save weight.

Best advice is to practice a ton and be conservative. Don't lock into a "one device to do it all" and try to make devices do things they aren't suited for.

 

[justsomedude]

Thanks! I’d rather be safe than anything I’m going to give spurs a shot this year and want to get down safely in the dark. Where is that thread you were referencing?


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https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/atc-rappel-with-a-bridge.2024/

 

[justsomedude]

This looks like what I'm interested in, I think. Do you leave it connected that way all the way up the tree, while hunting, and all the way back down, or is that just for the rappel back down? I suspect it's just for the way down, since i would think the autoblock gets unwieldy during the ascent and while hunting.

So when you're at height and on a platform/ROS, you switch to the amsteel bridge plus a ropeman and carabiner?

I was wondering if a single device could be used in all phases. Like an amsteel bridge, carabiner, plus Sterling ATS, or ATC, or Rock Exotica Mini 8 - long as there was a reliable lock involved that could be trusted. I'm worried about when there's slack (like you've just climbed up your stick and need to move your tether up) or you're standing on your platform, etc. I wouldn't want the rope setup to move/slide... but I would want it reasonably easy to switch into rappel operation for when it's time to come down, fingers are cold/wet, gotta stop and undo platform & stick, etc.

Sorry for repeating some questions here, or asking dumb ones. The concept is really capturing my attention to save weight.

Definitely DONT hunt from a descender.
I am also not a fan of the Amsteel bridge although I know people do it.