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newbie tree tether question

C

Creepingdeth

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2018
Messages
21
Finished my lineman's setup and now want to make my own tree tether. I have been using a HSS tether so I am somewhat familiar with basic construction. My question(s) is/are:
1. Fave material,size, length
2. Fave hdwr(carabiners etc...) and how you use them
3. Any other recommendations...I'm learning
Thanks...you guys are awesome
 
First question, what saddle are you using? That may change your tether setup a little.

1.
Most folks use some variety of 11mm static line for tethers and lineman belts. I think Yale Bandit is a popular rope, I just checked tree stuff and didn't see it. I really like the Sterling HTP but I've got the 9mm and am not sure if the 11mm is that much different. I think I started with 15 feet before knots and I feel like I need a longer tether, my next one will be 20 feet before I start, but...I like a higher tether than most. I got my 11mm static from REI and was able to get it by the foot, but the rope sucks, it is really stiff and doesn't do knots very well. I am seriously thinking about ordering one from Treestuff.com and having them put sewn eyes on both ends of a tether to reduce bulk, we'll see it's 15/sewn eye so I'm gonna have to think about it, lol.

2.
I would get a bunch of the screw lock carabiners. I have both auto and screw lock, and they both work but you can forget to screw one shut. I use one on my ropeman which is at the bottom of my tether and also the end of the rope is tied into that same carabiner, this allows me to adjust my tether length, which is useful if you use an XOP hand climber or for just different size trees. I use a purisk knot for my saddle, so a carabiner there as well. I should note that I use a sitdrag and a rock climbing harness. So I'm always tied into my tether at least once, usually twice.

3.
I have 2 ropemans, I use one for my lineman belt and one for my tether. I bought a ropeman 1 and a ropeman 2, I wish I had only gotten the ropeman 1, the 2 has teeth and will work on smaller rope but it almost works too well and doesn't release very well and also it tears up the rope a little more than the ropeman 1, in hindsight I would just get 2 ropeman 1's. Use one on the bottom of your tether and one on your linemans belt to adjust it. You will need a carabiner for each one as well, so at least 4 total if my math is right, lol.

Oh and for your tether the part that goes around the tree will typically be a figure eight know or overhand with a bite, that you girth hitch around the tree, so no carabiners needed there. I've seen some folks use them there for going around branches quicker, so maybe something you want to play with, I never did that, so I can't speak to it, maybe someone else can chime in.

Alright hopefully that helps, good luck, let me know if that doesn't make sense or you have other questions, I just looked none of my pictures show my whole tether, lol.
Ropeman 1
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Country...8422386&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=ropeman+1&psc=1
 
I just picked up a Kestrel...been it it a few times so far. Very comfy by the way. Not sure if I'm ready for a ropeman on my tether just yet. I'm using a #1 w/my lineman's. Thanks for the info, not up to speed yet with the diff. tech of saddles. I dont want to learn shortcuts or bad habits by being in a hurry.
 
I have been using the predator camo rope(11 mm I think). I am using the GM Ultra light locking caribiners. They are light weight, strong, and black in color($8). The thicker rope helps me "feel" safer for some reason. Not sure that it is any safer than amsteel blue, probably not, but it makes me feel safe and that is worth a lot. I also use two tree tethers. I use one as a normal tether like the one that comes with the Kestrel and the other is my lineman's belt. Once I get to hunting height I run it through itself and attach it to my homemade waistrap(1,500 lb) through two sewn loops. I know I probably don't need two attachments but it makes me feel confident and doesn't really restrict my movement. Plus it keeps me from having to find someplace to put my lineman's belt. If you are interested I will take a picture of it. Oh, I am using a homemade saddle, just so this makes sense.
 
BudgetBuck1 said:
I have been using the predator camo rope(11 mm I think). I am using the GM Ultra light locking caribiners. They are light weight, strong, and black in color($8). The thicker rope helps me "feel" safer for some reason. Not sure that it is any safer than amsteel blue, probably not, but it makes me feel safe and that is worth a lot. I also use two tree tethers. I use one as a normal tether like the one that comes with the Kestrel and the other is my lineman's belt. Once I get to hunting height I run it through itself and attach it to my homemade waistrap(1,500 lb) through two sewn loops. I know I probably don't need two attachments but it makes me feel confident and doesn't really restrict my movement. Plus it keeps me from having to find someplace to put my lineman's belt. If you are interested I will take a picture of it. Oh, I am using a homemade saddle, just so this makes sense.
Click to expand...
Would be awesome to see a pic! I'm actually trying to envision a good setup for my RC harness and sit drag
 
Is that bridge length comfortable or are you still prototyping?

Also, it looks like you've got some prusics connected to your back band. Is that what I'm seeing?

Is the zipper to add and remove padding?

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
 
You also did your molle differently. Can you show something attached to it?

I'm curious because I'm a big Sitdrag fan and your mods are some of the best I've seen. It's still not "safe" without a RC Harness, but I like your mods.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
 
g2outdoors said:
Is that bridge length comfortable or are you still prototyping?

Also, it looks like you've got some prusics connected to your back band. Is that what I'm seeing?

Is the zipper to add and remove padding?

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
Click to expand...
The prussics to the back band are to adjust the height of the back band. The zipper is to swap out padding and dry it if it gets wet. I tried the mole at a 45 degree angle and it didn't work. I put it straight up and down and it works when I am in the saddle for all of my old military pouches. Also am going to build some fleece bags that attach with small caribiners. I will take some pics of me in the saddle to show you how I have been hooking up and it looks in the tree. The bridge length has been fine. I like to brace my arms for rest and shooting on my bridge rope(also my head when I am tired) and it seems to be a good length for that.
 
I measured the bridge length, 30 inches. Here are some pics of the hook up in the tree plus some of the spare tire I have been working on that I keep around my waist. I use the lineman's belt as a second tether. Still have total 360 degrees of movement. I am going to increase the length and width of the waistbelt to make the back up sturdier.
 

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BudgetBuck1 said:
I measured the bridge length, 30 inches. Here are some pics of the hook up in the tree plus some of the spare tire I have been working on that I keep around my waist. I use the lineman's belt as a second tether. Still have total 360 degrees of movement. I am going to increase the length and width of the waistbelt to make the back up sturdier.
Click to expand...

That looks like a pretty comfy sitdrag, are you not using a rock climbing harness with it? Also those prusik loops are they tied with overhand knots? The tag ends in the knot look like they are almost inside the knot, just makes me nervous that the knot will come undone. I think double fisherman's knots is the best way to make a prusik loop. I don't get the double tether, where is the lower one connected? The buckle on your belt, is that just to hold it in place or is that part of the "harness". Looks like an awesome build, just want to make sure you are safe!
 
CrazieOne said:
Trying to determine if I can use my sd loops for my linemen’s rope?
Click to expand...
CrazieOne said:
Instead of seeing in loops on my RC
Click to expand...

If you add a belt to the sitdrag to hold it in place and have a strong enough buckle you could probably use those loops for linemans loops, just keep in mind that the sitdrag was never intended to be used in that manner. That is why most of us use rock climbing harnesses with them. I would just get 2 10-12" runners and girth hitch them to your rock climbing harness. Thats probably the easiest way. When I did mine I got climbing webbing and made a belt that went around the back of my harness, hat tip @bowhunter15. The RCH doesn't weigh that much and they aren't that expensive.
 
donnieballgame said:
That looks like a pretty comfy sitdrag, are you not using a rock climbing harness with it? Also those prusik loops are they tied with overhand knots? The tag ends in the knot look like they are almost inside the knot, just makes me nervous that the knot will come undone. I think double fisherman's knots is the best way to make a prusik loop. I don't get the double tether, where is the lower one connected? The buckle on your belt, is that just to hold it in place or is that part of the "harness". Looks like an awesome build, just want to make sure you are safe!
Click to expand...
It's plenty safe. I have tested actual falls with no fails. I sometimes use an rc harness just depending on my mood. It is comfortable due to the padding. The padding does make it a little warm on early season hunts but I usually don't feel like hunting when it's in the 80's or 90's anyways. The prussic knots are the exact same knots that HSS uses and are backed up by two 50lb zip ties. I haven't observed any movement in the knots and I check them every sit. The lower tether connects to my rc harness and/or my waistbelt depending if I am wearing my rc harness. I take one end of my lineman's belt and wrap it around the tree and then connect it back to itself(not a loop on my harness), then I take the adjustable side of the lineman's belt and attach it to my rc harness in the center. This way it doesn't restrict my movement in the tree. Also, I don't have to find a place to store a bulky lineman's belt.
 
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