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Looking for info on rappelling down the tree after hunt.

Schemeecho

Schemeecho

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2020
Messages
313
Location
Gaston, SC.
What's up fellow hunters? I'm some issues with finding a safe way to rappel down after my hunt for next season. I know a lot of you are using the Madrock or something similar. How ever thats not in my budget right now. So, I'm going to use a figure 8 for my rappel rig but not sure which hitch to use to back up my system. I know i can use an autoblock Which basically a French Prusik tied into my harness. But I was wondering if a Veldotain Tress or a Klemheist hitch would be better or which would be easier to use. So tell me what you think. For those that will want to know about my setup, I am using my full body harness and a fleece Diy saddle. Or a But hammock as I like to call it. I will also be using a one stick climbing method and my platform is a diy job as well. As you can see, I'm trying to do this with items I already have as well as low cost
 
Schemeecho said:
Is the Klemheist easy to release when under load ? Because I will be using it for my brake hand when on rappel
Click to expand...

Yes it releases easily under load. Much better than a prusik would and similar to the autoblock. I just like that it grabs the rope better. I’ve had occasional issues getting the autoblock to grab but never had that issue with the klemheist.


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Thanks for the suggestion on the Klemheist - not happy with how autoblock has performed so far... seems as though you have to get it juuuust right and you dont know how its going to set until you’re under load... and at that point, you’ve already committed.
 
I was already leaning towards the Klemheist but wasn't sure how easy it would release with my body weight on it as i was rappelling down. Yes it does seem to grab better and faster. I have also started to use a Scwahbisch Hitch on my line mans rope and on my bridge since i use an adjustable bridge. I use a poor mans tender for use with one hand. I have to say that the Scwahbisch Hitch grabs great but moves more freely than a normal Prusik knot. Now I have no need to but the Ropeman 1. The only place I use a normal Prusik knot now is on my tether because once I'm at hunting height i really dont need to make many adjustments. Besides, I dont have to have the latest and greatest gear as long as what i have gets the job done with the same results.
 
Hogwild2004 said:
Thanks for the suggestion on the Klemheist - not happy with how autoblock has performed so far... seems as though you have to get it juuuust right and you dont know how its going to set until you’re under load... and at that point, you’ve already committed.
Click to expand...
I have found that with any knot or hitch that dressing and setting the knot is a must. Sometimes this takes a few sets to make it hold also, the type of cordage you use makes a big difference as to how the hitch behaves. All of my hitches are made of the same cordage and its a very stiff cord but was advertised as being perfect for prusiks and hitches. but when I first tied them they slid loosely down the line. after playing with it and making it bight it worked just fine and I did test it only a foot off the ground. I did this for a few days before going high.
 
Try the distel hitch for your tether knot. I used it for the first time mid season (switching from a prusik) and it grips great/releases great under tension with a poor man’s tender. I had to put a few more wraps in it since I was using the same piece of accessory cord but suffice it to say I wont be switching my tether knot anymore. I’ve never used a ropeman and love the simplicity, reliability, and “poor man aspect” of ropes compared to mechanical devices since there are so many other things to spend money on.
 
Schemeecho said:
All of my hitches are made of the same cordage and its a very stiff cord but was advertised as being perfect for prusiks and hitches. but when I first tied them they slid loosely down the line.
Click to expand...
Is your knot cordage the same diameter as the rope they are grabbing?
 
As others have mentioned, I use a distel hitch below my figure 8 to rappel. I also use a 60 cm nylon sling doubled up and girth hitched to my belay loop on my harness to keep the figure 8 away from my coat and whatnot when rappelling. The hitch carabineer gets clipped on to my harness through both the belt and leg loops. The setup keeps a majority of the weight on the rappel device to help prevent the hitch from locking up.

You can also look into getting an ATC to rappel. They're around $25 and work well. I like the figure 8 better for the rappel, it's definitely smoother than the ATC with the backup, but the 8 has significantly more metal exposed so the carabineer on the 8 makes a racket.

You can also use the 8 as a progress capture with a foot loop to climb your rappel line if you forget to attach your retrieval line. It also works well for a self rescue technique. I carry a prucel prusik for this purpose.
 
Hogwild2004 said:
Is your knot cordage the same diameter as the rope they are grabbing?
Click to expand...
no my cordage is 6mm and my main ropes are 10mm . after doing some research i have found that the cordage I use is too stiff but it does work , its just not a soft rope. The manufacture is miss leading on this rope. but it does work you just have to set it and once its set it holds just fine. thats what you get when you shop for climbing rope on amazon. no worries because i have found what i need . i just have to order it
 
I used an autoblock last year with a Beal jammy. Released well whenever I tied it correctly (meaning well dressed). But i had the cover of the Beal separate slightly with a sharp bend after the sewn housing. So I'm switching to a schwabisch hitch this year with tied eyes. Great performance so far in practice and easier to tie correctly in the dark.

I wish I was a headlight on a north-bound train
 
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