one stick ascending/rappelling

[Nv3321]

Hey guys this is my first season one sticking and rappelling. Ive tried a lot of different methods from screw in steps to sticks with aiders, and everything in between. Everyone has their preference but for me the one stick/rappel has been really versatile. Like any climbing method theres always a learning curve, but was wondering what people were using for ascending/descending. I know the safeguard is the one stop shop, but I refuse to get ripped off by people trying to take advantage. I've been using a seperate tether with a kong duck for ascending. For rappelling, I have 40' of resc tech 8mm with an atc backed up by an autoblock. I was trying to figure out the most efficient way to use my rappel rope as my tether while ascending and while at hunting height, and just keep a dedicated lineman. It's not a huge deal to switch from tether to rappel rope when I'm getting down, but I want to try and keep it as simple and efficient as I can. Thanks, any info would be appreciated.

 

[TooheyBirdie]

i use 9mm canyon elite on a 6mm trc prussic... this is my tether and repel line... when i got to repel, i lower my pussic, put a bit of rope through the atc, then move my carabiner from the prussic to the atc...then i attach the prussic to a small carabiner i have on my right linemans loop... down i go

 

[98XJRC]

When I dove into the one stick arena I also couldn't find a safegaurd. Instead I bought a GriGri. One climb with the GriGri and I realized it wouldn't work to climb with. So my method at this point in time is to use my rappel rope/tether to climb while using a Ropeman as the attachment point. When I' ready to rappel down I switch over to the GriGri and head down. I carry my lineman's rope with me as well and just toss that on quick when making the switch. It adds a couple of minutes while in the tree prior to rappelling, but it works and only adds the additional carabiner with device attached to my loadout.

 

[TexaninSconny]

I use a dynamic rope as a separate tether with a ropeman 1. Then a static rope with the Safeguard. Although I really need to try out phatkaw’s figure 8 method. I can utilize a smaller diameter rope with the figure 8.

I do find my pouch for my rappelling gear seems to get in my way if I need to turn for a weakside shot or a drop shot. If I roll with an ATC or a figure 8 and a smaller diameter rope it’ll probably help with that.

 

[TommyDee]

i use 9mm canyon elite on a 6mm trc prussic... this is my tether and repel line... when i got to repel, i lower my pussic, put a bit of rope through the atc, then move my carabiner from the prussic to the atc...then i attach the prussic to a small carabiner i have on my right linemans loop... down i go

I’m not speaking from experience, but this will be my entry plan next season. This is my first full season in saddle, and I decided to trust the folks a Latitude….I’m very happy with their swabisch/tender rig for my tether and linesman, and I see no reason to use my rope man, which adds weight and noise. (May be on classifieds soon)

Unless someone tells me differently, I’ll lineman up, slide the Swabisch down and clip to right lineman’s loop. Then secure a 2nd carabiner bridge to ATC. This also allows me to keep with oplux rather than canyon IV, learn with this setup.

The other option i was considering was grigri plus since I know that device from belaying a little in my younger days, but it seems heavy and loud for any type of ascent with 1 stick or SRT. And overkill for descent when I already have something on the rope to back up a simpler device.

What is the secret for guys using the grigri? It is a rugged foolproof device, maybe it’s just a matter of practicing to keep it quiet on the ascent.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Razorbak66]

All you need is a figure eight to rappel no autoblock or anything it really works well I like it better than my MR so I sold it. Personally I use a separate tether with a Kong duck to climb snd use that at height when I’m down I pull out my rappel and switch over takes 30 seconds check out @phatkaw video on the figure 8 it really works well

 

[Nv3321]

All you need is a figure eight to rappel no autoblock or anything it really works well I like it better than my MR so I sold it. Personally I use a separate tether with a Kong duck to climb snd use that at height when I’m down I pull out my rappel and switch over takes 30 seconds check out @phatkaw video on the figure 8 it really works well

Yea this is pretty much my set up except im using an atc not a figure 8. The atc works well I dont really have any complaints. I was considering trying out a figure 8 too since you can pick one up for so cheap. Im trying to eliminate switching from tether to rappel rope. I was thinking I could climb using a prusik, and than when it comes time to rappel just throw on the atc below my prusik and rappel down. The prusik can stay attached and serve as my back up.

 

[phatkaw]

Hey guys this is my first season one sticking and rappelling. Ive tried a lot of different methods from screw in steps to sticks with aiders, and everything in between. Everyone has their preference but for me the one stick/rappel has been really versatile. Like any climbing method theres always a learning curve, but was wondering what people were using for ascending/descending. I know the safeguard is the one stop shop, but I refuse to get ripped off by people trying to take advantage. I've been using a seperate tether with a kong duck for ascending. For rappelling, I have 40' of resc tech 8mm with an atc backed up by an autoblock. I was trying to figure out the most efficient way to use my rappel rope as my tether while ascending and while at hunting height, and just keep a dedicated lineman. It's not a huge deal to switch from tether to rappel rope when I'm getting down, but I want to try and keep it as simple and efficient as I can. Thanks, any info would be appreciated.

I one-stick and do pretty much what you’re doing except I use a figure eight instead of an ATC.
Climbing and hunting from a separate tether is definitely my favorite way.
Rappelling from a figure eight is about as basic and easy as you can get.

 

[Nv3321]

I one-stick and do pretty much what you’re doing except I use a figure eight instead of an ATC.
Climbing and hunting from a separate tether is definitely my favorite way.
Rappelling from a figure eight is about as basic and easy as you can get.

Are you using your rappel rope as your lineman if you have to go around branches? If so, how are you tying to your linemans loop?

 

[Razorbak66]

I carry a length of amsteel with looped prussic and clip to my bridge if I need to go over limbs takes no time at all I’m already standing on my stick when I do I don’t even use my LM loops or LM in general other than to clip my Beaner with amsteel tether if I need to. The trees I climb virtually have no limbs until after 30 ft I use tree and ROS to cover my self

 

[Sempertodd]

Nv3321, I have been using my Canyon IV 9mm rope in a water bottle bag. I come up to tree, set my stick, then attach my rope around tree. I get to my hunting height, then set my hollow block on linemans loop as a back up (keeps rope out of way too). When done hunting, I set my pulldown line, I take out my ATC, install on my redundant bridge, loosen my main hitch,, then rappel down the tree. Works great, I love this method, though I am exploring the JRB system too, and used in in tree's to big for one stick.

 

[Nv3321]

Nv3321, I have been using my Canyon IV 9mm rope in a water bottle bag. I come up to tree, set my stick, then attach my rope around tree. I get to my hunting height, then set my hollow block on linemans loop as a back up (keeps rope out of way too). When done hunting, I set my pulldown line, I take out my ATC, install on my redundant bridge, loosen my main hitch,, then rappel down the tree. Works great, I love this method, though I am exploring the JRB system too, and used in in tree's to big for one stick.

What are you using as an ascender?

 

[phatkaw]

Are you using your rappel rope as your lineman if you have to go around branches? If so, how are you tying to your linemans loop?

Don't tell anyone but I only use my Linesman rope when I climb with spikes.

 

[danielvalencia95]

I've been using my rappel line to climb with the safeguard just because I like the ability to immediately descend when one sticking, just in case I drop my stick lol

 

[Aeds151]

I've been using my rappel line to climb with the safeguard just because I like the ability to immediately descend when one sticking, just in case I drop my stick lol

Its also great for standing on top of stick and placing tether/rappel as high as you can get it then rappel that little bit if you cant reach your stick. Tie end of rappel line to pack/bow for hoist.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bfriendly]

i use 9mm canyon elite on a 6mm trc prussic... this is my tether and repel line... when i got to repel, i lower my pussic, put a bit of rope through the atc, then move my carabiner from the prussic to the atc...then i attach the prussic to a small carabiner i have on my right linemans loop... down i go

Ditto this^^ I’m using that Hawk brand thing that came with my saddle while going up and at hunting height. I’m sliding my tether up the tree on the way. My break and back up is jammy Beal for a prussik below that device and I Got rid of the lineman’s belt. My canyon elite is 35’ and it stays in my pouch except what’s needed for tether.
I have a black Diamond ATC with singing rock carabiner in a pouch pocket, ready to take out and attach between my prussik and that hawk device. I have a second short bridge I made out of the same canyon elite that I use with the ATC. The prussik for a break works perfect and I’m really getting the hang of it now. Last two times I went down, I forgot to take out the rest of my rope and drop it…….it came out of its pouch flawlessly but I still want to drop it before rappelling down so it can’t hang up.

 

[Exhumis]

I’m using pretty much the same setup as all y’all as far as rope goes with the canyon but I’m alternating between the safeguard and the mammut smart 2.0. I’m liking the smart as it makes a dense guy like me seem smart with how stupid simple it is to use. It also automatically blocks the climbing rope if you fall and you can get a an insert that clips into the device to automatically break. Can get the device, carabiner and insert for like $60 at mammut website. Couple downsides are they recommend using their carabiner with the device for optimum usage and it’s a bit clangy with the carabiner on device action but no more louder than say the safeguard IMO. I haven’t decided which I’ll stick with yet. The one thing I will say about the smart is if you let go of the tending rope it grabs hard and immediate which I like. Also if you shift positions, say stand up and move around and then sit back down it doesn’t move on the rope. My safeguard moves and doesn’t set itself, I have to remember to tend the slack line so it doesn’t lose slack. Forgot to do that once and went for a short ride.

Smarter Belay Package | Mammut

The must-have package for beginners as well as advanced climbers seeking a higher level of safety. The Smarter ensures additional safety for the Smart 2.0 belay device and locks to prevent falls even in the event of incorrect use (for example, if the braking hand is held in the wrong position...

www.mammut.com

 

[MaxJac]

Nv3321, I have been using my Canyon IV 9mm rope in a water bottle bag. I come up to tree, set my stick, then attach my rope around tree. I get to my hunting height, then set my hollow block on linemans loop as a back up (keeps rope out of way too). When done hunting, I set my pulldown line, I take out my ATC, install on my redundant bridge, loosen my main hitch,, then rappel down the tree. Works great, I love this method, though I am exploring the JRB system too, and used in in tree's to big for one stick.

Im setting up pretty much the same way! I’m using 60ft of oplux for rappelling, putting it over a crotch at hunting night so I can pull it down easily at the end of the hunt. I use a double ATC and have a figure 8 as backup in my bag, just in case I drop it. In case I’m getting to a tree that won’t work for LWHC or one stick, I’ll utilize the JRB method. I tied a double Munch on each end of my oplux sothey are there in case I need them. If not… well, they don’t take up much space in the pouch with the rope.

After tinkering around during the summer, I found that there is no one perfect climbing method but several valid options to use when appropriate. A LWHC is perfect for mature pine trees and other trees with no branches till bunting height. And that could be at 6 ft or 25 ft, depending on situation. My one stick is perfect for semi mature loblolly pines with branches starting at 6 to 8 ft height. I set the stick, get up and continue climbing on the branches to desired height. JRB works great where I left paracord because I want to come back and hunt the spot again.

I hunt 95% private land and when going hunting, I pretty much know where I’ll go based on wind, thermals and sun. Therefore, I know if I need my stick or the hand climber. JRB is always an alternative, regardless. I have even 2 locations where I put up a climbing ladder but no hang on, just in case I’m late and want to climb fast or in the dark.

my point I try to make is: there is no one perfect climbing/rappelling set up. But, we can be smart and utilize gear efficient and for different purposes. E.g., I’d have no problem using a safeguard, it’s just simply not working with a double repel rope. Also, an ATC or figure 8 don’t really have a spec on minimum rope diameter. With an autoblock, either one works just fine. Stay safe and alert out there. Have fun and good luck

 

[Nc-swamphntr]

Ropeman 1 to climb and a rescue figure 8 and 8mm black diamond rope to rappel with, simple, easy and doesnt kill the pockets