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Rappel rope connection

Andy S

Andy S

Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2020
Messages
44
Hi, been lurking here for a couple years and have looked at every rappel video and thread I can find.
Can anyone tell me why I can’t or shouldn’t use a running bowline as my hitch of choice for my rappel rope. Been practicing with it for the past several days at ground level and it is very quick and easy to tie and grabs the tree good when moving up!
 
The main reason why most guys use a quick link over a running eye is the ease of use of attaching to the tree at hunting height. For all intents and purposes there's no reason why you can't use a running bowline.

If you're going to go through the effort of tying a running bowline at height, why not just tie a Maverick or JRB Hitch instead? Just as simple as tying a running bowline with the added benefit that they are exploding hitches and are remote releaseable.
 
heretic said:
The main reason why most guys use a quick link over a running eye is the ease of use of attaching to the tree at hunting height. For all intents and purposes there's no reason why you can't use a running bowline.

If you're going to go through the effort of tying a running bowline at height, why not just tie a Maverick or JRB Hitch instead? Just as simple as tying a running bowline with the added benefit that they are exploding hitches and are remote releaseable.
Click to expand...
I tie my rappel line to the tree while on the ground and use it and a lineman’s belt as I one stick up the tree. I can actually tie a running bowline as quick or quicker then I can use a quick link and then have to use a gear tie to prevent the quick link from falling down the tree. Without the weight of the quick link, I can tighten the rope and it stays put.
 
heretic said:
The main reason why most guys use a quick link over a running eye is the ease of use of attaching to the tree at hunting height. For all intents and purposes there's no reason why you can't use a running bowline.

If you're going to go through the effort of tying a running bowline at height, why not just tie a Maverick or JRB Hitch instead? Just as simple as tying a running bowline with the added benefit that they are exploding hitches and are remote releaseable.
Click to expand...
I have watched the videos on the JRB and maverick hitches and no offense to anyone using them but exploding hitches are not for me. Ever!
 
Andy S said:
I have watched the videos on the JRB and maverick hitches and no offense to anyone using them but exploding hitches are not for me. Ever!
Click to expand...
Understood! You have to stick with what you're comfortable with. I will admit the first time I hung from an unlocked JRB hitch it was major pucker factor!
 
heretic said:
Understood! You have to stick with what you're comfortable with. I will admit the first time I hung from an unlocked JRB hitch it was major pucker factor!
Click to expand...
Same thing for me for just a second. Then I remembered I had been hanging on it in the locked configuration all afternoon and the bite with the lock had moved any.
 
Andy S said:
I tie my rappel line to the tree while on the ground and use it and a lineman’s belt as I one stick up the tree. I can actually tie a running bowline as quick or quicker then I can use a quick link and then have to use a gear tie to prevent the quick link from falling down the tree. Without the weight of the quick link, I can tighten the rope and it stays put.
Click to expand...

You must be climbing a lot of trees with no branches? This year I've converted to climbing on a rappel line as my top tether and I doubt I'll change that unless I'm just going to use a short 2TC tether and skip a rappel. I've also converted my tethers (tops and bottoms) to quick links, even the ones I use with a full set of sticks. My default is to find a tree with lots of branches and multiple trunks if I can. I'm always passing things on the way up to the point I'm thinking of carrying a third tether (maybe even an amsteel one) just for that purpose. A quick link is just the easiest way to do that for me. In another thread someone posted about fender washers. They are a great solution to a QL not moving. Thread them onto your line and use them like a gear tie. That's totally changed my efficiency on moving a tether up the tree.
 
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