SRT Climbing - Anchors, Hitches, Configurations

[gcr0003]

Who here is using a rope wrench + pulley + friction hitch as there go to SRT climbing method?

 

[gcr0003]

@Brocky what is your go to SRT climbing set up?

 

[Empostarr]

I got into Saddle hunting last season and really like the idea of SRT. I used it a few times last year and plan on really practicing with it over the next couple of months to get ready for this season. Currently I'm using 50ft of Canyon IV, a Petzel left hand ascender with foot loop, and a safeguard doing RADS.

I have yet to set up some presets, but that is my goal this season. I just moved so I have a lot of new ground to explore during scouting. I really like the system since its holding my weight all the time and a lot less likely I could slip and fall because of that. During my hunts, I did switch to a separate tether at height because sometimes I couldn't get the climbing side to be where I wanted to hunt from.

I'm real interested in the basal hitch, since the throw ball can be a pain, but I'm concerned because I am a bit over 300 lbs. So far I always girth hitch to the truck of the tree and never have to an actual branch. Watching these basal hitch videos I see a lot of people always using the butterfly knot and then using a delta link to connect to the climbing end. Since I have a delta link already tied to one end of my rope, I should be able to skip introducing any new knots into the line right? Just do one to two wraps and then thread the rope through the delta link?

 

[Brocky]

Not the typical arborist, no bridge,
a Camp Turbo chest ascender worn at my waist that pushes up a Sticht Hitch, or just push up manually. For longer initial ascents I use a foot ascender and floating knee ascender. Shorter climbs, a single foot footlock instead of the ascenders. I like to start lower at first and work my way up, rather than trying for the harder to hit high branch. Most times can reach lowest branch throwing climb line with throw bag attached, less tangle than throw line.

 

[Empostarr]

Not the typical arborist, no bridge,
a Camp Turbo chest ascender worn at my waist that pushes up a Sticht Hitch, or just push up manually. For longer initial ascents I use a foot ascender and floating knee ascender. Shorter climbs, a single foot footlock instead of the ascenders. I like to start lower at first and work my way up, rather than trying for the harder to hit high branch. Most times can reach lowest branch throwing climb line with throw bag attached, less tangle than throw line.

So more like an arborist would by getting in the tree, tethering, then throwing your line up again? I've thought about trying that on some trees...

 

[STL]

Not the typical arborist, no bridge,
a Camp Turbo chest ascender worn at my waist that pushes up a Sticht Hitch, or just push up manually. For longer initial ascents I use a foot ascender and floating knee ascender. Shorter climbs, a single foot footlock instead of the ascenders. I like to start lower at first and work my way up, rather than trying for the harder to hit high branch. Most times can reach lowest branch throwing climb line with throw bag attached, less tangle than throw line.

What role do you like for srt?

*edit: rope, not role

 

[gcr0003]

Not the typical arborist, no bridge,
a Camp Turbo chest ascender worn at my waist that pushes up a Sticht Hitch, or just push up manually. For longer initial ascents I use a foot ascender and floating knee ascender. Shorter climbs, a single foot footlock instead of the ascenders. I like to start lower at first and work my way up, rather than trying for the harder to hit high branch. Most times can reach lowest branch throwing climb line with throw bag attached, less tangle than throw line.

No kidding that’s so interesting. What platform if any do you use?

 

[MNFarmHunter]

I was looking at various trees tonight and got to thinking. I don't carry enough rope to do a full base anchor. However, if there's a limb about 10'-15' off the ground and several more higher up, I could girth hitch the bottom limb and would then probably have enough. In essence, it would be a combination of a canopy hitch and a base hitch. Depending on the throw line lengths and limb spacing, you'd be able to set everything including retrieval line with a single throw line and climbing rope.

That way would open up opportunities.

 

[MNFarmHunter]

I was also able to condense 100' of throwline and a throw ball into a small molle flashlight pouch without everything ending up in a giant knot. This would allow me to SRT without presets if I went out early afternoon to setup and gave it a long sit.

 

[gcr0003]

Can we get some recommendations on SRT ropes? Are some ropes made specifically for mechanical prusiks vs rope ones? I’m looking to get 75-100’ of something here soon. I’m trying to figure out if I want to go with a rope wrench and pulley or a grigri.

 

[MNFarmHunter]

Well, that's a loaded question @gcr0003 .

I know nothing about the rope wrench but the grigri (and similar) are rated for 9mm+. Personally, I really like the C-IV as it has the slimness and weight of a thinner rope yet stiff enough to climb like a thicker rope. However, since we never do things "in spec", I know of people (myself included) who have used 8mm rope with devices rated for 9mm+ and aren't dead yet. Given that, Resc Tech is extremely good rope in terms of weight, strength and packability compared to the C-IV. The cost however is that I don't find that it climbs as well as the C-IV. I've also found in less forgiving to cord hitches, mostly due to it's softness.

I'll let others weigh in but I suspect the question really boils down to whether the weight and packing size penalty is worth the in spec and climbing characteristics?

 

[gcr0003]

Well, that's a loaded question @gcr0003 .

I know nothing about the rope wrench but the grigri (and similar) are rated for 9mm+. Personally, I really like the C-IV as it has the slimness and weight of a thinner rope yet stiff enough to climb like a thicker rope. However, since we never do things "in spec", I know of people (myself included) who have used 8mm rope with devices rated for 9mm+ and aren't dead yet. Given that, Resc Tech is extremely good rope in terms of weight, strength and packability compared to the C-IV. The cost however is that I don't find that it climbs as well as the C-IV. I've also found in less forgiving to cord hitches, mostly due to it's softness.

I'll let others weigh in but I suspect the question really boils down to whether the weight and packing size penalty is worth the in spec and climbing characteristics?

I’m looking for 9mm + rope. I already had predator rope and it was great for MRS, though I know the thicker rope is not as necessary for SRT since you have hand ascender and such to grab.

 

[gcr0003]

I’m looking for 9mm + rope. I already had predator rope and it was great for MRS, though I know the thicker rope is not as necessary for SRT since you have hand ascender and such to grab.

And are those ropes really the best fit our application or are the just what’s popular for saddle hunting at the moment? I’m sure there are more options out there? I’m interested in C-IV. Do you have a picture of that rope?

 

[MNFarmHunter]

I really like the Resc Tech as it has many attributes such as weight, MBS and size but had to modify my climb/rappel to satisfy my personal requirements. As such, the C-IV is my go-to and the the Resc Tech is warming the bench.

 

[MNFarmHunter]

And are those ropes really the best fit our application or are the just what’s popular for saddle hunting at the moment? I’m sure there are more options out there? I’m interested in C-IV. Do you have a picture of that rope?

I'll take a side by side tomorrow for a comparison.

 

[mtsrunner]

And are those ropes really the best fit our application or are the just what’s popular for saddle hunting at the moment? I’m sure there are more options out there? I’m interested in C-IV. Do you have a picture of that rope?

Here you go. 9 mm C-IV on the left and 8 mm Rescue Tech on the right.

 

[LoadedLimbs]

Can we get some recommendations on SRT ropes? Are some ropes made specifically for mechanical prusiks vs rope ones? I’m looking to get 75-100’ of something here soon. I’m trying to figure out if I want to go with a rope wrench and pulley or a grigri.

@gcr0003 - for SRT, I'm really liking the Teufelberger Platinum 10.5mm rope. It's design is superior to standard kernmantle ropes, in that the core and sheath are interwoven so that the core cannot "milk" up or down the sheath, and the rope stays round inside belay devices and ascenders, even if they clamp or bite hard. The color of the 10.5mm platinum is a great bonus - it's excellent for hunters. WesSpur.com sells it by the foot, and takes the NYSH discount code for 10% off, which makes it 30% cheaper than OpLux and Rescue Tech.

If interested, I can put up a picture showing it side by side with OpLux, RescueTech, C-IV Canyon, and Predator rope as well. (You'll just have to wait until after my work day is over. Let me know if interested in seeing that.)

I have no horse in this race, I'm just passing along that I'm really happy with the Teufelberger Platinum, and I have used all of the ropes I mentioned. It's now my go-to choice for SRT. Here are two really good informational videos:

Manufacturer's Link: Teufelberger Platinum Rope Info Video
Arborist Demo & Review Link: Teufelberger Platinum Rope Review

 

[Empostarr]

I started with an 11mm rope and recently moved down to the C-IV Canyon for the weight and bulk reduction. Just make sure you're wearing some kind of gloves or rappelling very slowly...it will burn your hand quick if you're not paying attention!

 

[Brocky]

So more like an arborist would by getting in the tree, tethering, then throwing your line up again? I've thought about trying that on some trees...

Yes, that’s called the alternate lanyard method, easiest is to climb the branches, if too big a gap than climb with the help of rope, either Moving Rope, or SRT.

For tree work I now use Yale’s 11mm Kernmaster for a climb line, because of its smooth cover for easy hitch operation, and Bluewater 9mm Canyon Line for a lanyard, used 10mm HTP before the Kern. For recreational climbing I used 9mm HTP for climb line but recently switched to the Swift Pro Protect, which doesn’t harden up like the HTP. Also use dynamic ropes, theres stretch but they’re not bungee cords, also twin 6mm to change it up. I really like the Elite for staying flexible unlike most statics. No Platinum for me, it’s not sliceable!

I don’t hunt so no platform, I have been thinking about using one or two of the aluminum steps for use when needing something to stand on to make a cut in tree work, can use a loop but not very stable.

 

[STL]

@gcr0003 - for SRT, I'm really liking the Teufelberger Platinum 10.5mm rope. It's design is superior to standard kernmantle ropes, in that the core and sheath are interwoven so that the core cannot "milk" up or down the sheath, and the rope stays round inside belay devices and ascenders, even if they clamp or bite hard. The color of the 10.5mm platinum is a great bonus - it's excellent for hunters. WesSpur.com sells it by the foot, and takes the NYSH discount code for 10% off, which makes it 30% cheaper than OpLux and Rescue Tech.

If interested, I can put up a picture showing it side by side with OpLux, RescueTech, C-IV Canyon, and Predator rope as well. (You'll just have to wait until after my work day is over. Let me know if interested in seeing that.)

I have no horse in this race, I'm just passing along that I'm really happy with the Teufelberger Platinum, and I have used all of the ropes I mentioned. It's now my go-to choice for SRT. Here are two really good informational videos:

Manufacturer's Link: Teufelberger Platinum Rope Info Video
Arborist Demo & Review Link: Teufelberger Platinum Rope Review

I’d be interested in that comparison, particularly how the wound up sections compare to each other from a packability perspective. I’ve heard good things about platinum and if it packs decent I may consider it over c-iv. Thanks for offering to do that!