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single sticking tricks to lessen tether slack and/or use a linemans?

raisins

raisins

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2019
Messages
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I'd try single sticking but I don't like a slack tether and it seems tough to climb with a linemans.

I'd probably use a 2 step aider, use a rappel rope in a bag as my tether.

Any threads that I'm missing that go over methods to decrease tether slack while climbing? Or any massive single sticking threads that are legendary compilations of various tips and tricks?

I'm thinking you could hold your tether tag end in your right hand in a way so that you can also grab with the right hand. As you step, quickly let go with right hand while maintaining contact with left hand and both feet and then pull to tend in slack with each step. You would need a very tendable tether. Too bad there isn't an "auto tender" that takes up slack as you climb like a dog leash.
 
raisins said:
I'd try single sticking but I don't like a slack tether and it seems tough to climb with a linemans.

I'd probably use a 2 step aider, use a rappel rope in a bag as my tether.

Any threads that I'm missing that go over methods to decrease tether slack while climbing? Or any massive single sticking threads that are legendary compilations of various tips and tricks?

I'm thinking you could hold your tether tag end in your right hand in a way so that you can also grab with the right hand. As you step, quickly let go with right hand while maintaining contact with left hand and both feet and then pull to tend in slack with each step. You would need a very tendable tether. Too bad there isn't an "auto tender" that takes up slack as you climb like a dog leash.
Click to expand...
I honestly think a dynamic tether with an energy absorber is the best option. Tending slack as you go is pretty fiddly and very easy to neglect.

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Aeds151 said:
What about the Safeguard?


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Click to expand...

So use the Safeboard as the connection between tether and bridge and then tend it up as you go with your right hand? Is this commonly done? I feel a bit guilty, I should've read for a day before posting!
 
This is the only rig I could think of that would self tend.

08ab5d70905099beefade2c024bf5177.jpg


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Well if you are climbing with multiple sticks you typically dont hook up your tether at all. Slack in your tether is far safer than falling with only a lineman belt, unless you are crossing it like Flingingarrows showed years ago. Its a pain to climb with a crossed lineman, so most dont do it. As for single sticking, dont take up slack, move the tether up once you get on bottom solid step. Then step up onto top step and move it up again.
 
kenn1320 said:
Well if you are climbing with multiple sticks you typically dont hook up your tether at all. Slack in your tether is far safer than falling with only a lineman belt, unless you are crossing it like Flingingarrows showed years ago. Its a pain to climb with a crossed lineman, so most dont do it. As for single sticking, dont take up slack, move the tether up once you get on bottom solid step. Then step up onto top step and move it up again.
Click to expand...

When using sticks (or now steps), I use a lineman's belt and tether. It's no biggie once you get used to it.
 
kenn1320 said:
As for single sticking, dont take up slack, move the tether up once you get on bottom solid step. Then step up onto top step and move it up again.
Click to expand...

This ^^^^. When single sticking, I move my tether up as soon as I'm on the bottom step. Move up to the top step and wrap my leg around the three to stabilize myself and move my tether up as high as I can reach. Sit down, wash and repeat. If I do this method then the only slack in my system from the second transition on is only about 15".
 
raisins said:
So use the Safeboard as the connection between tether and bridge and then tend it up as you go with your right hand? Is this commonly done? I feel a bit guilty, I should've read for a day before posting!
Click to expand...

This is what I do. I can tend out all slack AS I step into each aider step and hard step on helium. Then “rappel down to stick for next move. Might be easier with the type of saddle I run but it works none the less. No idea if the safeguard should be used way.


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I’m not aware of any method to completely avoid any slack in the tether as you climb one-stick but if you will take the time to move the tether with each step, you will certainly reduce it to a bare minimum. I’ll take a one foot fall on a tether over falling on a lineman’s belt anyway. Sure, you’re going to be in for a jolt if you fall on a tether with slack in it but you won’t potentially go sliding down the tree face first like you could with a lineman’s belt.

It will be slower to tend and move the tether with each step up but I feel it’s worth it. In fact, I use my lineman’s belt in conjunction with the tether to make sure I’m very safe. The lineman’s not gives me stability, especially on leaning and wonky trees while the tether gives me security. The lineman’s holds me steady while I move the tether. To me it’s the best of both and worth the few extra seconds needed to move the tether with each step.
 
CharlieTN said:
I’m not aware of any method to completely avoid any slack in the tether as you climb one-stick but if you will take the time to move the tether with each step, you will certainly reduce it to a bare minimum. I’ll take a one foot fall on a tether over falling on a lineman’s belt anyway. Sure, you’re going to be in for a jolt if you fall on a tether with slack in it but you won’t potentially go sliding down the tree face first like you could with a lineman’s belt.

It will be slower to tend and move the tether with each step up but I feel it’s worth it. In fact, I use my lineman’s belt in conjunction with the tether to make sure I’m very safe. The lineman’s not gives me stability, especially on leaning and wonky trees while the tether gives me security. The lineman’s holds me steady while I move the tether. To me it’s the best of both and worth the few extra seconds needed to move the tether with each step.
Click to expand...

You do that while taking steps on a 1 or 2 step aider?
 
raisins said:
You do that while taking steps on a 1 or 2 step aider?
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I do. It was a bit weird at first but once I got used to the movement it’s goes smoothly. I’m actually switching over to a Shikar Mini with 3-step aider and had my first test run and it went well. One of these days I may drop the lineman’s rope for climbing in general but haven’t gotten to that point first.
 
ShooterMike said:
Here’s what I do:

I pull down on the tag end of the rope as climb up the aider and stick.
063c97a4eca279cce55872f487dc4078.jpg



Semper Fi,
Mike
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Click to expand...

I've never thought about the system the way you've done it...can you PM me more details. That just looks like I could use that.
 
Old squirrel said:
Is that a roll n lock below your gri gri?
Click to expand...

It is. It’s on the tag end of the rope and helps keep tension on the system at hunting height. It’s attached to my austrialpin buckle with a 1/4” Amsteel soft shackle, so there’s no clanking around. I like this device since I can remove it easily abs attach it to my backup tether, in case I need a second tether for whatever reason.


Semper Fi,
Mike
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I changed the Prussik knot to a schwabish for the quick link, after I had troubles getting my rope down with my pull down cord, because tye quick link didn’t want to push back on the Prussik. I actually had to use my backup tether and do the climb of shame with my one-stick


Semper Fi,
Mike
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