Tether vs rappel related questions

[LD717]

I’ve been considering the saddle thing for a few years, and finally just started gathering some gear. I bought a saddle, lineman and tether ropes, sticks, and a platform. And now I find myself having more questions.
This is not intended to be a sticks vs one stick debate, as I have already read a lot of opinions and preferences there. But I am intrigued by the idea of one sticking. In large part due to the idea of staying connected at all times, and not fumbling around feeling for sticks climbing down in the dark.
In a traditional multi stick and tether setup, what happens if you’re at hunting height, and for whatever reason your platform/stick falls off, disappears, and you have no foot hold? You are hanging from your tether, which is great, because you didn’t fall, but now what? How do you get down? In this case, a single rope all the way to the ground is a huge plus. So the one sticking and rappelling option seems great in that regard. And people seem to really like the Madrock safeguard for this purpose. Do we trust this mechanical device to hold us all day long? There are a lot of conflicting reports of “best” ways to back up these devices. For those of you who use them, what say you?
I hadn’t thought about one sticking until after i bought all the other stuff. Obviously the EWO one stick seems like a great option, but isn’t in the cards right now. I bought a set of Tethrd Skeletors, and a Trophyline EDP platform. Could I, in theory one stick with a single skeletor, and use that platform as planned? And I would just need appropriate rappelling gear?

 

[Cbigbear]

On a short tether the best self rescue option is 2TC with your linemen’s rope or keep some spare 7/64 amsteel in a dump pouch. With this said, it would be an odd situation to have a failure that would leave you 20’ up without a platform or any sticks. Most likely one move would get you to a stable stick.

Madrock or reliable when paired with correct rope size, but as with anything mechanical they will wear out.

In reality you can one stick with a Skeletor or you could no stick with just your platform.

Contrary to a “new” belief you DO NOT need rappelling gear to one stick or no stick climb. Climbing with a cam buckle allows for efficiency up & down the tree.

 

[RedPaint]

I rappell down with a madrock and love it. I do trust it, but I turn my linemans belt into a back up tether at hunting height. My main tether is my rappell rope that attaches to my bridge with a madrock. If my one stick failed, I'd just remove my back up tether and rappell down. I would be on the ground in seconds. I never used multiple sticks. I went right to a one stick, EWO, and absolutely love it.

 

[LD717]

I rappell down with a madrock and love it. I do trust it, but I turn my linemans belt into a back up tether at hunting height. My main tether is my rappell rope that attaches to my bridge with a madrock. If my one stick failed, I'd just remove my back up tether and rappell down. I would be on the ground in seconds. I never used multiple sticks. I went right to a one stick, EWO, and absolutely love it.

Does a backup tether have the potential to get tangled and cumbersome? Ever any issues with extra ropes interfering with getting into position for a shot?

 

[RedPaint]

Does a backup tether have the potential to get tangled and cumbersome? Ever any issues with extra ropes interfering with getting into position for a shot?

Not at all. The backup teather is generally set up at waist height and is loose. Totally out of the way.

 

[TooheyBirdie]

Regardless if you rappel or not, i would suggest a backup tether and/or linemans... if you have to go around limbs, you can hook up and never be disconnected...also...**** happens and you can bind up an atc or a Madrock... you never know

 

[TooheyBirdie]

Regardless if you rappel or not, i would suggest a backup tether and/or linemans... if you have to go around limbs, you can hook up and never be disconnected...also...**** happens and you can bind up an atc or a Madrock... you never know

Oop... i may have misunderstood... thought u meant while climbing...

 

[cheecho67]

if your using your repell rope as tether just tie a stopper knot on the tail end like a half hith and connect it back in the carabiner or tie off over top of mad rock. here is a sample.

 

[Kborrelli]

I ran a one stick setup last season decided the noise and hassle wasn’t worth the weight cut. I ran a tether with standard prusik and separate repel rope with a figure 8 to rappel on. Gave me peace of mind having the extra rope and non mechanical device. At least if the knot/ figure 8 fails I know it’s my fault and not something out of my control.

 

[1canvas]

I ran a one stick setup last season decided the noise and hassle wasn’t worth the weight cut. I ran a tether with standard prusik and separate repel rope with a figure 8 to rappel on. Gave me peace of mind having the extra rope and non mechanical device. At least if the knot/ figure 8 fails I know it’s my fault and not something out of my control.

I have no problem trusting a quality Madrock Safeguard, I trust that more than myself getting knots right 100% of the time. I think a rappel rope as a tether and a Safeguard is about as safe as it gets. I have been thinking of this combo myself.

 

[Nosaj]

Another advantage of one sticking is you can put a small platform on your own one stick like a UP it gives you more room and better ability to shoot all the way around the tree.

 

[LD717]

I ran a one stick setup last season decided the noise and hassle wasn’t worth the weight cut. I ran a tether with standard prusik and separate repel rope with a figure 8 to rappel on. Gave me peace of mind having the extra rope and non mechanical device. At least if the knot/ figure 8 fails I know it’s my fault and not something out of my control.

Aside from peace of mind, why separate ropes? I think hunting with the rappel rope as a tether with a standard prusik seems like a reasonable option. And then using a figure 8 to descend with that same prusik as a back up should work. Am I missing something? I don’t know what I don’t know, but I’m trying to keep it simple.

 

[RedPaint]

Aside from peace of mind, why separate ropes? I think hunting with the rappel rope as a tether with a standard prusik seems like a reasonable option. And then using a figure 8 to descend with that same prusik as a back up should work. Am I missing something? I don’t know what I don’t know, but I’m trying to keep it simple.

I try to keep things safe and simple. I know some guys do not. I’ve never been one to keep pouches of stuff in another pouch in another pouch. Not my style. The fewer things I take into the woods the better for me.

 

[DroptineKrazy]

Aside from peace of mind, why separate ropes? I think hunting with the rappel rope as a tether with a standard prusik seems like a reasonable option. And then using a figure 8 to descend with that same prusik as a back up should work. Am I missing something? I don’t know what I don’t know, but I’m trying to keep it simple.

Just so you know...prusiks suck. There are several much better options.

 

[Kborrelli]

Aside from peace of mind, why separate ropes? I think hunting with the rappel rope as a tether with a standard prusik seems like a reasonable option. And then using a figure 8 to descend with that same prusik as a back up should work. Am I missing something? I don’t know what I don’t know, but I’m trying to keep it simple.

Switching from prusik to figure 8 means slack in the repel rope or even worse no connection to the tree when switching out. If you run a mad rock that’s not an issue. Plus one sticking with a 30 ft rope I found to be a bit of a pain. I’m already giving up a few pounds by dropping the steps an extra one pound for a short tether with a stopper knot at the end is fine by me

 

[Kborrelli]

Just so you know...prusiks suck. There are several much better options.

Agreed. There are better knots to use than a standard prusik

 

[Brocky]

Switching from prusik to figure 8 means slack in the repel rope or even worse no connection to the tree when switching out. If you run a mad rock that’s not an issue. Plus one sticking with a 30 ft rope I found to be a bit of a pain. I’m already giving up a few pounds by dropping the steps an extra one pound for a short tether with a stopper knot at the end is fine by me

Connect the figure 8 below the hitch, no disconnect, or slack. Can also take the weight off the hitch for easier releasing.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

When I was hanging from the Madrock during a hunt I always used Option 2 in this video but I have to admit I like the simplicity of Option 3 too.

 

[Equinox631]

I have used a repel rope and figure 8 for 50 years now. It’s nicer now with better rope.
40 feet of Oplux and a figure 8 add a longhorn hitch for safety.

 

[muzzyman88]

Personally, I see no reason to use a seperate tether to hunt from. Its just one more thing. I climb, hunt and rappel from the same rope for several reasons. One, I use the other end of my main rope, with a spliced in loop of cord, to pull my bow up the tree once at height. Secondly, if at any point something goes wrong as I climb or am at hunting height, I have a safe, easy way back to the ground. Finally, for me, the idea of transitioning from one rope to another is just not my cup of tea. I know, at the base of the tree, before I climb, that everything is correct and I'm hooked in for the entire climb, hunt and descent back to the ground.

As for the madrock. Yes, I trust my life to the thing. I know of not one catasrophic failure attributed to this device since folks starting using them heavily for one sticking. You have to remember, this device was designed to be used in much harsher applications than we'll ever put it through.

However, unlike some, I do back it up. Its my ocd. I back mine up exactly like they tell you not to. I take a bight of the brake side rope, tie a fig8 loop and clip into my biner on my bridge. My thoughts are this. IF that thing ever decides to spontaneously explode (highly unlikely), my backup will prevent me from hitting the ground, period. I always carry a fig8 device with me for backup purposes and can either use that to get back to the ground, or, worst case, I'll one stick my way back down the tree. Either way, the name of the game is not hitting the ground and having a way back down safely. My methods accomplish both.