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Rappelling equipment for saddle hunting

Westdesign03

Westdesign03

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2019
Messages
1,941
Location
Ohio
I am intrigued with the idea of being able to rappel out of the tree at the end of a hunt as opposed to climbing down. I’m extremely novice in my knowledge with this. Was wondering what you guys that do this use to rappel with after a hunt. I’m assuming a good climbing rope and some kind of descender device at minimum. But interested in specifics, what products are good for this, how it’s done from start to finish, do’s and dont’s, buy this product but not that one, things like this. Thanks!


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This is what I like and its really simple:
Also look up Thread Rappelling 101
 
I keep it simple. Bluewater assault line 11mm and a black diamond figure 8. Carabiner and paracord.

Tie a figure 8 on a bite, girth hitch the tree trunk, tie paracord or carabiner paracord to your loop, clip into your 8, and rappel down. Pull knot loose with paracord, pack up and head out.

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Wyatt_burp said:
I keep it simple. Bluewater assault line 11mm and a black diamond figure 8. Carabiner and paracord.

Tie a figure 8 on a bite, girth hitch the tree trunk, tie paracord or carabiner paracord to your loop, clip into your 8, and rappel down. Pull knot loose with paracord, pack up and head out.

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Click to expand...
I use the safeguard. If I go to a figure 8 it’s because I’m on smaller rope than will work.
 
Wyatt_burp said:
I keep it simple. Bluewater assault line 11mm and a black diamond figure 8. Carabiner and paracord.

Tie a figure 8 on a bite, girth hitch the tree trunk, tie paracord or carabiner paracord to your loop, clip into your 8, and rappel down. Pull knot loose with paracord, pack up and head out.

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Click to expand...

^^^^^ Same for me with one exception: I use a GriGri + (plus) as my descender! I'm not a real fan of heights....or falling, so I spent more on my descender with "idiot break" on it (per rock climbing store recommendation). You can get your setup cheaper if your not a chicken like me! LOL

My Setup Cost:
40' of Rope: +/-$40
GriGri +: +/-$160
50' 550 ParaCord: +/-$10
Total +/- $210.00
 
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30’ of 9mm Sterling HTP girth hitched around the trunk of the tree (will be retiring this rope soon and replacing with Sterling Oplux due to its ability to pack down into a smaller footprint)

Black Diamond ATC


Sterling Hollowblock fashioned into an Autoblock.

2 locking carabiners. One for the ATC to attach to bridge; one for the Autoblock attaches to lineman’s loop.

30’ 550 Paracord with a non load bearing carabiner attaches to the loop of my repelling rope to pull down.
 
5Oh12 said:
30’ of 9mm Sterling HTP girth hitched around the trunk of the tree
Black Diamond ATC
Sterling Hollowblock fashioned into an Autoblock.
2 locking carabiners. One for the ATC to attach to bridge; one for the Autoblock attaches to lineman’s loop.
30’ 550 Paracord with a non load bearing carabiner attaches to the loop of my repelling rope to pull down.
Click to expand...

I am using the same setup but i have a small non load bearing carabiner on both ends of my paracord.
I use this for my pullup rope clipped to my gun/bow and the other clipped to a molle loop on my saddle while I climb.
On the way down I lower my bow/gun and the other clip goes on my rappel knot for retrieval.
 
reggoh75 said:
I am using the same setup but i have a small non load bearing carabiner on both ends of my paracord.
I use this for my pullup rope clipped to my gun/bow and the other clipped to a molle loop on my saddle while I climb.
On the way down I lower my bow/gun and the other clip goes on my rappel knot for retrieval.
Click to expand...

This is probably the setup I am going to move to. Currently, I strap my bow to my backpack as I ascend the tree. Rather cumbersome whenever I am attempting to setup everything once I get to hunting height.
 
Rappelling 101

Rappelling 101

I use spurs and love them. However climbing down is more hairy than climbing up so I’m intrigued by rappelling. It is intimidating and it seems scary to try and do but so was saddle hunting at first and now it’s second nature and I love my swings and pulleys. I’ve been researching the...
r.tapatalk.com


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weekender21 said:
Rappelling 101

Rappelling 101

I use spurs and love them. However climbing down is more hairy than climbing up so I’m intrigued by rappelling. It is intimidating and it seems scary to try and do but so was saddle hunting at first and now it’s second nature and I love my swings and pulleys. I’ve been researching the...
r.tapatalk.com


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Click to expand...

OP-I'm not sure why that link isn't working for me on tapatalk. If you search Rappelling 101 this thread will show up. It answers many of your questions.

Maybe this will work:

Rappelling 101

I use spurs and love them. However climbing down is more hairy than climbing up so I’m intrigued by rappelling. It is intimidating and it seems scary to try and do but so was saddle hunting at first and now it’s second nature and I love my swings and pulleys. I’ve been researching the...
saddlehunter.com
 
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Thanks all of you guys for the feedback. A lot to digest so I will start sorting through. I figured there was a post about this somewhere but didn’t have time to go look. I’ll check out that thread too. Thanks guys!!


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Westdesign03 said:
Thanks all of you guys for the feedback. A lot to digest so I will start sorting through. I figured there was a post about this somewhere but didn’t have time to go look. I’ll check out that thread too. Thanks guys!!


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Click to expand...

No worries. There are quite a few other threads on the topic as well when you have the time. That’s just one of the more recent ones.


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reggoh75 said:
I am using the same setup but i have a small non load bearing carabiner on both ends of my paracord.
I use this for my pullup rope clipped to my gun/bow and the other clipped to a molle loop on my saddle while I climb.
On the way down I lower my bow/gun and the other clip goes on my rappel knot for retrieval.
Click to expand...

I found out last weekend what happens if your paracord is too short and you attach too much weight... oops. Now I’ll be tying everything to the bottom of my rapel line.
 
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