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Rappelling 101

Post #4 is the fourth post in this thread.

Here is what you need to be minimal to just rappel down after the hunt.

1. 30'-50' rope. Oplux is what I prefer. If only 30' then you can literally fit this in a dump pouch.
2. One 3 1/2' sections of TRC for a distel or scwabisch hitch.

I one stick climb with the long tether (mine is 52') and then rapple down by using the distel hitch and just apply downward pressure on the top of the distel. I slowly come down and when I take the pressure off I stop.

For the saddle:
3. One 6-7' section of HTP 9mm rope for linemans belt.
4. One 40" section of hollow core webbing for adjustable bridge.

I believe eastern woods outdoors has the predator rope already made that you can use for a linemans belt, tether or even the bridge.
How would you rig and retrieve your rope from a tree that either doesnt have limbs or the crotch is way higher than your hunting height?...thanks jimmi
 
How would you rig and retrieve your rope from a tree that either doesnt have limbs or the crotch is way higher than your hunting height?...thanks jimmi

When I one stick...I climb to a crotch and then attach my short tether and linemans belt. Take out any slack and then take my long tether off and around or through the crotch. I also then put on my pretzl triangle https://www.rei.com/product/471292/petzl-triangular-screw-link on the girth hitch and then attach my 550 cord. Hook up my long tether to my bridge and then rappel down a bit to where my hunting height is to be. Set up my platform and gear. Put the tag ends of the 550 cord and Oplux rope into my predator pack or my backpack (depending on season). Once done with hunting I send down my weapon, my pack, and any other item in the tree with me. It's all in the pack...then I rappel down...stop at my platform, take it off and attach to my saddle. Grab my stick and attach to the other side of my saddle. When on the ground my 550 cord is at my feet...I grab it and pull down. My girth hitch at the top of the tree comes out easy. If it does not...I then walk back as far as my 30' of paracord will allow me and pull. I have never had my system get stuck in the tree doing this.
 
@Pilk64 @Newhunter1

That's my question too. I've considered buying the rope and gear to be able to rappel down. When I'm hill country hunting in the Ozarks, finding a limb or crotch shouldn't be a problem. But, hunting big hardwoods in central and eastern AR, it may be a lonnnng ways up the trunk before you get to a crotch or decent size limb. Am I just SOL to try to rappel in that situation? Or once I climb my sticks to hunting height, I should able to just girth hitch my rappel rope to the main trunk (and not forget to clip my retrieve rope in) and come down from there. Right? Or am I missing something?

I'm intending to use the rappel rope as a tether too, btw.
 
@Pilk64 @Newhunter1

That's my question too. I've considered buying the rope and gear to be able to rappel down. When I'm hill country hunting in the Ozarks, finding a limb or crotch shouldn't be a problem. But, hunting big hardwoods in central and eastern AR, it may be a lonnnng ways up the trunk before you get to a crotch or decent size limb. Am I just SOL to try to rappel in that situation? Or once I climb my sticks to hunting height, I should able to just girth hitch my rappel rope to the main trunk (and not forget to clip my retrieve rope in) and come down from there. Right? Or am I missing something?

I'm intending to use the rappel rope as a tether too, btw.

Exactly. I hunt in Eastern AR and am doing it all the time now. The girth hitch works fine once you get some weight on it. From there just pull it down as described above.
 
@Pilk64 @Newhunter1

That's my question too. I've considered buying the rope and gear to be able to rappel down. When I'm hill country hunting in the Ozarks, finding a limb or crotch shouldn't be a problem. But, hunting big hardwoods in central and eastern AR, it may be a lonnnng ways up the trunk before you get to a crotch or decent size limb. Am I just SOL to try to rappel in that situation? Or once I climb my sticks to hunting height, I should able to just girth hitch my rappel rope to the main trunk (and not forget to clip my retrieve rope in) and come down from there. Right? Or am I missing something?

I'm intending to use the rappel rope as a tether too, btw.
You got it.
 
In terms of rappelling only (no upward bound business) check out YouTube tutorials on rappelling with an ATC and an autoblock.
 
@Pilk64 @Newhunter1

That's my question too. I've considered buying the rope and gear to be able to rappel down. When I'm hill country hunting in the Ozarks, finding a limb or crotch shouldn't be a problem. But, hunting big hardwoods in central and eastern AR, it may be a lonnnng ways up the trunk before you get to a crotch or decent size limb. Am I just SOL to try to rappel in that situation? Or once I climb my sticks to hunting height, I should able to just girth hitch my rappel rope to the main trunk (and not forget to clip my retrieve rope in) and come down from there. Right? Or am I missing something?

I'm intending to use the rappel rope as a tether too, btw.
 

I do not use a tree squeeze...wouldn't even know how to use it.

@SecretAgentMan as far as not having a crotch anywhere near you...you are NOT out of luck. Here's what I do.

I climb up my hunting height with my long rappel rope. When I feel I'm just past my H.H. I add my triangle, my 550 cord and then I slowly lower my self to my bottom step of my stick. I sit down in my saddle and lower my stick to where I can set my platform to the top stick...that way I have a side of my platform. I then set my platform...climb back onto my platform and set my gear. I am now about 6' below rappel rope. Put all tag ends into my pack that I set up on my tree. I don't even put my linemans belt on the tree as I don't need it.
 
Yeah, I'm not planning to use a squeeze.

So, when you say you climb up to HH with your long rappel rope, you just mean you have it girth hitched and slid up as you go? Like you would with a climber with a short tether?
 
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Once you rappell down how do you get your rope off of the tree from 25 feet in the air?
 
I do not use a tree squeeze...wouldn't even know how to use it.

@SecretAgentMan as far as not having a crotch anywhere near you...you are NOT out of luck. Here's what I do.

I climb up my hunting height with my long rappel rope. When I feel I'm just past my H.H. I add my triangle, my 550 cord and then I slowly lower my self to my bottom step of my stick. I sit down in my saddle and lower my stick to where I can set my platform to the top stick...that way I have a side of my platform. I then set my platform...climb back onto my platform and set my gear. I am now about 6' below rappel rope. Put all tag ends into my pack that I set up on my tree. I don't even put my linemans belt on the tree as I don't need it.
Sounds clever but I have no idea how that happens or looks...I need a lot of research...
 
Lots of posts in this thread about retrieving your line. You clip a carabiner behind the girth hitch with a long piece of 550 cord or whatever you want. Pull it down after you get on the ground.
 
Lots of posts in this thread about retrieving your line. You clip a carabiner behind the girth hitch with a long piece of 550 cord or whatever you want. Pull it down after you get on the ground.
I have to start at zero...I dont know what a girth hitch is yet...but I will in about 5-10 mins...lol...thanks for the direction!...you guys rule!
 
Lots of posts in this thread about retrieving your line. You clip a carabiner behind the girth hitch with a long piece of 550 cord or whatever you want. Pull it down after you get on the ground.
I have to start at zero...I dont know what a girth hitch is yet...but I will in about 5-10 mins...lol...thanks for the direction!...you guys rule!
Lots of posts in this thread about retrieving your line. You clip a carabiner behind the girth hitch with a long piece of 550 cord or whatever you want. Pull it down after you get on the ground.

Like this?
 
I have to start at zero...I dont know what a girth hitch is yet...but I will in about 5-10 mins...lol...thanks for the direction!...you guys rule!

Have you ever used the rope that comes with most tree stand safety harnesses?
 
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