• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Madrock

bpz89

bpz89

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2019
Messages
263
Before I post I realize climbing trees is a dangerous sport and everything is at your own risk.

With that being said I wonder how many people stay attached to the madrock the entire time? While ascending and during the hunt. I am new to saddle hunting and I am trying one sticking and SRT. During both methods I find my “ dangling” in mid air only being held by my madrock. Is there a safer device that I should using during those times? I just know If it fails in anyway I’m gone to the ground!

Thanks for the help !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
drew13 said:
I climb, hunt and rap from my madrock. I am certain that others do, too. But only you can determine what level of risk you are comfortable with.
Click to expand...

I would like to understand what the risk actually is… And would also like to know what measures to take to prevent that from happening.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
0428f027aee773e1594a8ec186ec4121.jpg


A simple Alpine Butterfly knot as a backup would keep you from going to the ground if the Madrock failed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I am new to 1 - sticking, just started climbing this week. I use a sterling hollowblock2 autoblock tied to the rappel/tether rope and connected to my lineman loop on my saddle. From my research, this seems to be the easiest, safest backup. This simple knot protects you when rappelling as well.
 

Attachments

  • SC068THB_Hollowblock2_Tactical_195_withOpLux_2019-store.jpg
    SC068THB_Hollowblock2_Tactical_195_withOpLux_2019-store.jpg
    76.4 KB · Views: 46
DOMMA said:
I am new to 1 - sticking, just started climbing this week. I use a sterling hollowblock2 autoblock tied to the rappel/tether rope and connected to my lineman loop on my saddle. From my research, this seems to be the easiest, safest backup. This simple knot protects you when rappelling as well.
Click to expand...

Can this stay tied in the entire climb?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
DeerLaughAtMe said:
0428f027aee773e1594a8ec186ec4121.jpg


A simple Alpine Butterfly knot as a backup would keep you from going to the ground if the Madrock failed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Thank you for the help and the information. Does this stay tied in the entire time even when you’re moving your stick up the tree?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
bpz89 said:
I would like to understand what the risk actually is… And would also like to know what measures to take to prevent that from happening.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
The risk would be difficult to quantify. You are using a mechanical device so the parts could theoretically fail at any point given an error in manufacturing. The likely hood of that happening is low or the company wouldn’t sell the device. Given that, what we do is inherently not without risk. To prevent it from happening the only way is to not use a mechanical belay/ascender device but to use a non mechanical device such as a guide ATC, smart 2.0 or other device. Or don’t rappel. But as @drew13 said only you can determine the level of risk you are comfortable with. If you aren’t comfortable with your gear-which goes beyond understanding it but also trusting it-you’ll have a tough time
 
bpz89 said:
Can this stay tied in the entire climb?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yes, that is why I like it. I connect this autoblock on the ground and then climb and rappel with it connected. It does not slow you down and is super easy to tie. Check out
.
 
bpz89 said:
Thank you for the help and the information. Does this stay tied in the entire time even when you’re moving your stick up the tree?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

No. I add the knot when I’m at hunting height.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
bpz89 said:
Before I post I realize climbing trees is a dangerous sport and everything is at your own risk.

With that being said I wonder how many people stay attached to the madrock the entire time? While ascending and during the hunt. I am new to saddle hunting and I am trying one sticking and SRT. During both methods I find my “ dangling” in mid air only being held by my madrock. Is there a safer device that I should using during those times? I just know If it fails in anyway I’m gone to the ground!

Thanks for the help !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Plenty of people hang tethered from the Madrock but at the same time plent of people only use the Madrock for descent. Whatever makes you feel comfortable. If you are concerned bring a traditional tether line with you and use that to hunt and MR to descend. Weight difference about 8 oz.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
bpz89 said:
I would like to understand what the risk actually is… And would also like to know what measures to take to prevent that from happening.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Inspect your gear before during and after every hunt
 
There are 2 versions (safeguard and lifegaurd). I believe one has a spring that keeps tension and the other doesn't. The one without the spring will do nothing to stop the rope from sliding through if you let slack get into the rope. I have that one and would never use it for my tether.

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk
 
The “spring” in the safeguard and grigri and most other mechanical belay devices keeps the device open, which means the rope will slide in and out both ways easily until weight is sharply applied to the device. The lifeguard and petzl grillon have no spring, so when any weight is applied to the device it instantly locks up. People are always confused on how these work. The spring is to keep the device open not locked on the rope.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
sureshot said:
There are 2 versions (safeguard and lifegaurd). I believe one has a spring that keeps tension and the other doesn't. The one without the spring will do nothing to stop the rope from sliding through if you let slack get into the rope. I have that one and would never use it for my tether.

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Bad information. The one with the spring, (lifeguard), OPENS when there is no tension. The safeguard will grab immediately when tension is applied and is the preferred version for our use.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
DeerLaughAtMe said:
Bad information. The one with the spring, (lifeguard), OPENS when there is no tension. The safeguard will grab immediately when tension is applied and is the preferred version for our use.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

“Correction” safeguard is madrocks springless version. Thanks for catching that. I had a brain fart.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I plan to hang off my safeguard, but am going to use a backup, likely an alpine butterfly below the madrock and through the bridge biner. That way if the safeguard ever slips/fails, the ab will stop the rope from spooling through.

Seems like a simple/easy way to minimize the risks.
 
A safer choice would be the petzl i’d or petzl rig. Both can actually be locked closed but are twice the size of the others. Used by rescue teams as a progress capture or lowering device.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
tarafrost said:
I plan to hang off my safeguard, but am going to use a backup, likely an alpine butterfly below the madrock and through the bridge biner. That way if the safeguard ever slips/fails, the ab will stop the rope from spooling through.

Seems like a simple/easy way to minimize the risks.
Click to expand...

That is how I use my grillon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top