One sticking small issues...

[snooze]

Hey so I've been practicing one sticking a bunch lately with a the EWO UP Stick. I actually prefer it to any other method so far, favorite part being the ease of adjusting exactly how high I want to climb and making micro adjustments once at height. Rappeling is also pretty fun as long as the madrock is smooth. I just noticed some small things and was wondering if other people experience the same.

1. I notice when climbing the tether is always getting caught on the way up which just pulls it more and more out of my pouch. It's been pretty annoying keeping all the rope out of the way.

2. I find that when I do adjust my tether the line ends up getting in between the madrock lever and the device causing it not to close all the way. so I have to always make a conscience effort to make sure it clears.

I'm sure I sound like a noobie here but these are just some things I found.

 

[thedutchtouch]

Hard to say but it seems like perhaps you're not moving your tether up enough? I'm only a few months into one sticking, been moving my tether up while 'mid move', basically if I can reach out Iove it. Not sure if that's right, but it's minimizing slack for me, which I think is the source of both of your issues? Apologies if I'm off base and sending you astray...

 

[GreginPA]

1. I notice when climbing the tether is always getting caught on the way up which just pulls it more and more out of my pouch. It's been pretty annoying keeping all the rope out of the way.

are you backing up your safeguard? I use a Prusik connected to my lineman loop as a back up. I preset my rappel line with the length I would use for the typical size tree in the area I'm hunting. So the Prusik is attached to the line, then the rest is tucked back in my pouch. Once I take the line out, the Prusik helps to keep the rest in the pouch since it provides light resistance while I'm working with the line. It is also easy enough to get more line or less line depending on the tree.

Another thing I do is as I climb the stick I have a spot where I manage my tether. After awhile it became second nature and takes no extra time. Essentially when my first foot reaches the platform, I move the safeguard/biner/line to the side where my knee is raised and I lay it on my knee to keep it from getting caught on my platform, at this same time I attach my lineman belt around the tree before taking the final step up and then advancing my tether.

2. I find that when I do adjust my tether the line ends up getting in between the madrock lever and the device causing it not to close all the way. so I have to always make a conscience effort to make sure it clears.

I haven't experienced that, what size rope are you using? This would be another good reason to be sure you are backing up the safeguard. Technically I think you are supposed to back it up above the device. However, I do it below and just ensure there is enough distance between the two that it is impossible for the back up to get sucked into the device.

 

[snooze]

are you backing up your safeguard? I use a Prusik connected to my lineman loop as a back up. I preset my rappel line with the length I would use for the typical size tree in the area I'm hunting. So the Prusik is attached to the line, then the rest is tucked back in my pouch. Once I take the line out, the Prusik helps to keep the rest in the pouch since it provides light resistance while I'm working with the line. It is also easy enough to get more line or less line depending on the tree.

Another thing I do is as I climb the stick I have a spot where I manage my tether. After awhile it became second nature and takes no extra time. Essentially when my first foot reaches the platform, I move the safeguard/biner/line to the side where my knee is raised and I lay it on my knee to keep it from getting caught on my platform, at this same time I attach my lineman belt around the tree before taking the final step up and then advancing my tether.



I haven't experienced that, what size rope are you using? This would be another good reason to be sure you are backing up the safeguard. Technically I think you are supposed to back it up above the device. However, I do it below and just ensure there is enough distance between the two that it is impossible for the back up to get sucked into the device.

That's a good idea, I currently don't have it backed up with anything. Thanks. Also i'm using 9mm canyon elite.

 

[GreginPA]

Same rope as me. I'd just work on how you manage the safeguard and rope when you have slack until you find a method that keeps it clear but easy to manage.

 

[phatkaw]

I climb and hang out with a dedicated tether and it works out pretty good for me.
I tried climbing with my rappel rope and it just wasn't as simple - and I like simple...

 

[Loopwing]

It is all about rope management. Go find a tree, take your saddle and one stick. Don't worry about speed, don't worry about height, make a few slow climbs and just worry about your set up and how the line comes out, packs, hangs. Tweak YOUR set up, use other people's set up as a guideline, but set your gear for you. Go slow and methodical and you will be surprised what you learn.

 

[n6dlh]

are you backing up your safeguard? I use a Prusik connected to my lineman loop as a back up. I preset my rappel line with the length I would use for the typical size tree in the area I'm hunting. So the Prusik is attached to the line, then the rest is tucked back in my pouch. Once I take the line out, the Prusik helps to keep the rest in the pouch since it provides light resistance while I'm working with the line. It is also easy enough to get more line or less line depending on the tree.

Another thing I do is as I climb the stick I have a spot where I manage my tether. After awhile it became second nature and takes no extra time. Essentially when my first foot reaches the platform, I move the safeguard/biner/line to the side where my knee is raised and I lay it on my knee to keep it from getting caught on my platform, at this same time I attach my lineman belt around the tree before taking the final step up and then advancing my tether.



I haven't experienced that, what size rope are you using? This would be another good reason to be sure you are backing up the safeguard. Technically I think you are supposed to back it up above the device. However, I do it below and just ensure there is enough distance between the two that it is impossible for the back up to get sucked into the device.

Be careful with backing up a safeguard. Someone in here that is more noleagable than me can chime in. But there is a warning in the paperwork about running backup on the safeguard can cause a failure.

Mad Rock Safeguard Backup?

I’m interested in one sticking and rappelling down but I’m pretty unfamiliar with both. Is there any kind of backup you can use in conjunction with the mad rock safeguard? I’ve read some comments where guys were saying you shouldn’t rely on a mechanical device only, is that true?

saddlehunter.com

 

[Exhumis]

Hey so I've been practicing one sticking a bunch lately with a the EWO UP Stick. I actually prefer it to any other method so far, favorite part being the ease of adjusting exactly how high I want to climb and making micro adjustments once at height. Rappeling is also pretty fun as long as the madrock is smooth. I just noticed some small things and was wondering if other people experience the same.

1. I notice when climbing the tether is always getting caught on the way up which just pulls it more and more out of my pouch. It's been pretty annoying keeping all the rope out of the way.

2. I find that when I do adjust my tether the line ends up getting in between the madrock lever and the device causing it not to close all the way. so I have to always make a conscience effort to make sure it clears.

I'm sure I sound like a noobie here but these are just some things I found.

Don’t worry about being a noob, everyone was at one point, just don’t ask the same question 10x that’s already been answered 10x 10 different ways. For rope management I use a drop pouch from CGM. I drop all my line out the bottom which does two things for me:
1. It eliminates your problem of number 1 because the line is allowed to play out as I climb, it doesn’t get caught. In this manner the tether essentially moves with me up the tree and doesn’t bind up.
2. Because my line is dropped out the bottom it serves as a sort of line management system and keeps a bit of tension on the standing end of the line. This is because instead of the standing end of my tether running parallel to the tree it runs from my Madrock to my pouch which keeps it out of the path of the Madrock and keeps it from binding up. Hope that makes sense.
As far as keeping it from getting tangled up there’s a sweet spot as to how far you move your tether as you climb. Too high and you can’t move, too low and you experience what you’re experiencing now getting tangled up with unmanaged line. Just takes practice.

 

[2Sloe]

That is one of the reasons I switched from climbing on my madrock/rap line to a tether and Kong or hitch. I got tired of the MadRock clanging off my stick as I moved up my aider. I continuously move my tether up, even as I climb my aider to keep the slack out, but that MadRock still manages to find that stick. I find the tether/Kong or hitch combo to be much less cumbersome and quieter overall. However, when you are brand new it is mighty comforting to know you can bail out at any time using the rap setup.

 

[snooze]

Don’t worry about being a noob, everyone was at one point, just don’t ask the same question 10x that’s already been answered 10x 10 different ways. For rope management I use a drop pouch from CGM. I drop all my line out the bottom which does two things for me:
1. It eliminates your problem of number 1 because the line is allowed to play out as I climb, it doesn’t get caught. In this manner the tether essentially moves with me up the tree and doesn’t bind up.
2. Because my line is dropped out the bottom it serves as a sort of line management system and keeps a bit of tension on the standing end of the line. This is because instead of the standing end of my tether running parallel to the tree it runs from my Madrock to my pouch which keeps it out of the path of the Madrock and keeps it from binding up. Hope that makes sense.
As far as keeping it from getting tangled up there’s a sweet spot as to how far you move your tether as you climb. Too high and you can’t move, too low and you experience what you’re experiencing now getting tangled up with unmanaged line. Just takes practice.

thanks for the tips, not sure if the asking the same question line was specifically directed at this question but even if it wasn’t idk why there is such a stigma against people asking the same question more than once instead of searching. When I’m interested in a topic I want to see as much content as possible, it would suck if the only information was from 5 years ago and is probably out dated. Just my opinion sorry to get off topic.

 

[TooheyBirdie]

Climbing on your rappel line is fine and works… but odds are you’re going to go around a limb at some point. I have a ”lineman’s belt” that I use as a tether and climb with that untill I need to go.around a branch… sometimes I don’t need the rappel line tether, sometimes I do. I always plan on using the tether by itself unless need be. It’s way faster for me to move that 7 foot tether than to unscrew the rappel lines delta link, so I make as many moves with the designated tether as possible.

 

[bfriendly]

It is all about rope management. Go find a tree, take your saddle and one stick. Don't worry about speed, don't worry about height, make a few slow climbs and just worry about your set up and how the line comes out, packs, hangs. Tweak YOUR set up, use other people's set up as a guideline, but set your gear for you. Go slow and methodical and you will be surprised what you learn.

This^^^ I’ve been up in a saddle 1 season, with maybe 30-50 climbs. I’m still tweaking rope management even though I have a pretty solid routine. I’m currently using my rappel rope tucked in a @beaston pouch, but have also used a dedicated tether and there is plenty of room for both in there walking in. Managing what side of your set up you use and how or rather where you let your ropes fall is up to you. I use a prussik below a ropeman, but that prussik is connected to my shorter secondary rappelling bridge. When rappelling, the same prussik is connected to a lineman’s loop. I’ll probably always have redundancy in MY set up.

 

[Maine Hunter]

I climb and hang out with a dedicated tether and it works out pretty good for me.
I tried climbing with my rappel rope and it just wasn't as simple - and I like simple...

That's what I do. I got tired of the madrock clanking and getting stuck on my stick while climbing the aider and stick. The tether only has a carbineer, friction hitch, and tender. Plus the girth hitch stays put easier than the quick link despite the ohm tether locker. I keep my rapell rope in my backpack and hook it up when I'm ready to come down. Easy peasy.

 

[Superhog]

This^^^ I’ve been up in a saddle 1 season, with maybe 30-50 climbs. I’m still tweaking rope management even though I have a pretty solid routine. I’m currently using my rappel rope tucked in a @beaston pouch, but have also used a dedicated tether and there is plenty of room for both in there walking in. Managing what side of your set up you use and how or rather where you let your ropes fall is up to you. I use a prussik below a ropeman, but that prussik is connected to my shorter secondary rappelling bridge. When rappelling, the same prussik is connected to a lineman’s loop. I’ll probably always have redundancy in MY set up.

Curios how you are attaching the beasotn pouch to your saddle? I have the roll up pouch, but I'm not a fan of it on the saddle
.

 

[Iron_llama]

Don’t worry about being a noob, everyone was at one point, just don’t ask the same question 10x that’s already been answered 10x 10 different ways. For rope management I use a drop pouch from CGM. I drop all my line out the bottom which does two things for me:
1. It eliminates your problem of number 1 because the line is allowed to play out as I climb, it doesn’t get caught. In this manner the tether essentially moves with me up the tree and doesn’t bind up.
2. Because my line is dropped out the bottom it serves as a sort of line management system and keeps a bit of tension on the standing end of the line. This is because instead of the standing end of my tether running parallel to the tree it runs from my Madrock to my pouch which keeps it out of the path of the Madrock and keeps it from binding up. Hope that makes sense.
As far as keeping it from getting tangled up there’s a sweet spot as to how far you move your tether as you climb. Too high and you can’t move, too low and you experience what you’re experiencing now getting tangled up with unmanaged line. Just takes practice.

3rd benefit is, you can tie your pack or bow to the end of your rappel line and haul it up when you're set up. I like hauling my bow and pack up separately.

 

[Exhumis]

3rd benefit is, you can tie your pack or bow to the end of your rappel line and haul it up when you're set up. I like hauling my bow and pack up separately.

I never thought of that.