MNFarmHunter
Well-Known Member
Try it again without the thigh loop and only advance your tether about 12" per evolution. I think alot of the issues is with people trying to move up too much each time.
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Why don't yall 2TC?
- Thread starter Red Beard
- Start date
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- Tags
- 2tc two tether climbing
MNFarmHunter
Well-Known Member
If I can figure out a way to prop up my cell phone, I should make an i-Potato video and upload it to Rumble. Not that my way is the best way but all that's needed is:
(2) tethers
(1) tether/bridge connection (prusik or mechanical with carabiner)
(1) saddle
That's it. You can climb down just as easy doing this in reverse but rappelling is quicker and more fun.
(2) tethers
(1) tether/bridge connection (prusik or mechanical with carabiner)
(1) saddle
That's it. You can climb down just as easy doing this in reverse but rappelling is quicker and more fun.
BigAl
Well-Known Member
Okay.......has anyone tried 2 TC with a jx3 or a guidos? I've been wondering about trying it out with my guidos.....hard to get time recently. Bad idea???
You can come borrow my JX3 and try it if you want
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Thanks for posting the pictures and video. How did you find the management of the two friction hitches on the decent while rappelling on the 8mm? If I use a carabiner that is too polished and round I get a lot of slippage with only the one auto block and am definitely going to add the second friction hitch into the system with my reverso.
MNFarmHunter
Well-Known Member
Getting back to the OP's original point.
While doing my last preseason scouting before opener, the deer aren't really doing what I expected them to. We're in a drought so many of the predictable water holes are dry. It was great walking through the woods as there were no mosquitoes but the deer which have reliably used the same trails and routes aren't following that pattern this year.
On the southern end of the woods, they're still using the same pinch points and have my SRT presets accordingly. They are now, however, traveling through the north end of the woods which I wasn't expecting.
Over the last 40 years, we've had oak wilt and dutch elm go through so many of those areas are dense and scrubby with only gnarly box elders in which even if you did climb one, it's so scrubby you couldn't take a shot, even with a rifle. There is however, a north pinch point with a thick canopy which offers ideal shooting lanes. This area is dominated by "telephone pole" ash trees. These types of trees are all about volley ball size in diameter with virtually zero limbs until the canopy.
Due to the canopy being so high, you need to be 25-30 feet up so as to not skyline. Some will climb this height using sticks and aiders but I won't. With my back, shoulders, hips, knees and everything in between, stretching out only invites injury. These are though the perfect trees to 1-stick or 2TC. As mentioned, the ergonomics of 1-sticking rules that out for me which leaves me with 2TC which fortunately is my #2 preferred method.
To climb 30', it'll take me about 15-20 evolutions to complete. Not the speediest but it's smooth, quiet and doesn't break a sweat. By function, it also lets me rotate around the tree as I climb if my field of view or unseen lean changes as I climb up. It's also the lightest climbing option which is perfect since this is the longest distance I have to walk.
In short, there is no "ultimate" climbing method as each have their strengths and weaknesses. While scouting and looking at the trees, I was disheartened when there were no limbs I could run a preset from and couldn't really even do a trunk girth hitch preset. It then dawned on me though that since I also 2TC, any one of these trees would be perfect and I had nothing to worry about.
While doing my last preseason scouting before opener, the deer aren't really doing what I expected them to. We're in a drought so many of the predictable water holes are dry. It was great walking through the woods as there were no mosquitoes but the deer which have reliably used the same trails and routes aren't following that pattern this year.
On the southern end of the woods, they're still using the same pinch points and have my SRT presets accordingly. They are now, however, traveling through the north end of the woods which I wasn't expecting.
Over the last 40 years, we've had oak wilt and dutch elm go through so many of those areas are dense and scrubby with only gnarly box elders in which even if you did climb one, it's so scrubby you couldn't take a shot, even with a rifle. There is however, a north pinch point with a thick canopy which offers ideal shooting lanes. This area is dominated by "telephone pole" ash trees. These types of trees are all about volley ball size in diameter with virtually zero limbs until the canopy.
Due to the canopy being so high, you need to be 25-30 feet up so as to not skyline. Some will climb this height using sticks and aiders but I won't. With my back, shoulders, hips, knees and everything in between, stretching out only invites injury. These are though the perfect trees to 1-stick or 2TC. As mentioned, the ergonomics of 1-sticking rules that out for me which leaves me with 2TC which fortunately is my #2 preferred method.
To climb 30', it'll take me about 15-20 evolutions to complete. Not the speediest but it's smooth, quiet and doesn't break a sweat. By function, it also lets me rotate around the tree as I climb if my field of view or unseen lean changes as I climb up. It's also the lightest climbing option which is perfect since this is the longest distance I have to walk.
In short, there is no "ultimate" climbing method as each have their strengths and weaknesses. While scouting and looking at the trees, I was disheartened when there were no limbs I could run a preset from and couldn't really even do a trunk girth hitch preset. It then dawned on me though that since I also 2TC, any one of these trees would be perfect and I had nothing to worry about.
NorthFourty
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2019
- Messages
- 34
I was using a BD Alpine ATC that is designed for the smaller diameter line. VT above attached the same way to the carabiner and a Autoblock below attached to the right linemans loop. It was actually a smoother rappel.
Thanks for the clarification. I have been using a Knut for my tether friction hitch. The two friction hitches you used with the ATC for the repel give a lot of control.
And to keep on track to the original question
too much time invested in mastering the single stick with a scout top step for a platform. But the 2TC looks interesting and is another tool in the box. Need to do some testing and see what climbing in the trees with limbs is like. Most likely about the same as moving a stick around a limb set.
Fourth try. Found a tree a little larger than I like to test it out. Slow going for sure. The bark was flaky, which was a pain in the butt. I brought a second tether to get around branches, but it wasn't long enough. This isn't a ready-to-hunt system; more practice is required.
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MNFarmHunter
Well-Known Member
Compared to SRT, 2TC can be slow and somewhat of a pain but I do think it's the best self-rescue skill to know. There's been several times where I've forgotten something on the ground and 2TC is the only safe way to unstick myself.
This weekend during my first sit, I didn't like how I positioned my platform. Since I switch from my SRT rope to tether once at height and didn't want to dig my rappel rope out and switch over, I simply added my foot loop to the tree, climbed down a few feet, relocated the platform and climbed back up.
My point is for where I hunt, many trees only allow for 1-stick (see no advantage), sticks w/ aiders (hate them with a passion) or 2TC. However, even if you never climb 2TC, knowing how to do it will always allow you to safety unstick yourself or climb down.
This weekend during my first sit, I didn't like how I positioned my platform. Since I switch from my SRT rope to tether once at height and didn't want to dig my rappel rope out and switch over, I simply added my foot loop to the tree, climbed down a few feet, relocated the platform and climbed back up.
My point is for where I hunt, many trees only allow for 1-stick (see no advantage), sticks w/ aiders (hate them with a passion) or 2TC. However, even if you never climb 2TC, knowing how to do it will always allow you to safety unstick yourself or climb down.
This is good stuff
I see your point. If I knew how to 2tc and had a foot tether last year when my climbing stick dropped, I wouldn't have been stuck up in the tree. Like any skill, practice is useful, so when I have a half-hour and find a decent tree, it can't hurt.
MNFarmHunter
Well-Known Member
That's really the chief advantage of 2TC.
Every saddle hunter should have everything they need for 2TC which is a tether and a linemans belt (or the "true" tether if climbing 1-stick). To convert the linemans belt to a foot loop, you simply girth hitch the line around the trunk. Then, make a loop with the tag end by tying the end to the mechanical/prusik cord carabiner. If it's just a rope, tie a bowline in the tag end.
I used it this weekend to reposition my platform. I've used it in the past because I got my SRT line wrapped around a limb making it unsafe to climb (and forgetting to attach the recovery line) and needed it to do an emergency change-over because I was climbing on a mechanical and forgot to bring up my platform to safely change-over to my descender.
Every saddle hunter should have everything they need for 2TC which is a tether and a linemans belt (or the "true" tether if climbing 1-stick). To convert the linemans belt to a foot loop, you simply girth hitch the line around the trunk. Then, make a loop with the tag end by tying the end to the mechanical/prusik cord carabiner. If it's just a rope, tie a bowline in the tag end.
I used it this weekend to reposition my platform. I've used it in the past because I got my SRT line wrapped around a limb making it unsafe to climb (and forgetting to attach the recovery line) and needed it to do an emergency change-over because I was climbing on a mechanical and forgot to bring up my platform to safely change-over to my descender.
Guess this is the ah-ha moment I finally came to awhile ago. If we all should know how to employ this method in an emergency, and we already have all (or most) the gear necessary... why carry anything else? Why load ourselves down with other metal-intensive climbing gear at all? Why not spend time perfecting this method until an emergency rescue technique becomes a primary ascending/descending method?
Heath
Active Member
This is exactly how I have found this system to work best for me. Using my predator rope for the linesman's belt girth hitched with prusik for foot. The larger diameter rope makes it easier to grab and raise. The prusik makes a very easy way to adjust height if needed. All while doubling use if needed to use as a tether to go around a limb (moving primary tether/repel rope). I tried using 1/4" amsteel daisy chain as my foot loop system to keep size down but just didn't like it.
This is a great thread for information.....discounting all of the super hero chat.
MNFarmHunter
Well-Known Member
Time to wow everyone with my drawings again.
In the most basic climbing method with a rope, you only need (2) prusik cords and (1) carabiner. See picture:
This however is slow and many swap the prusik cords for mechanical ascenders but the process is the same.
Now, swap the rope for a tree trunk and the prusiks for your (2) tethers. You're now climbing/descending 2TC.
In the most basic climbing method with a rope, you only need (2) prusik cords and (1) carabiner. See picture:
This however is slow and many swap the prusik cords for mechanical ascenders but the process is the same.
Now, swap the rope for a tree trunk and the prusiks for your (2) tethers. You're now climbing/descending 2TC.
FrankNess14
Well-Known Member
Hadn’t thought of it like that! Very well put.
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I haven't made a video yet... but 2TC climbing with a predator platform instead of a foot loop is by far the easiest, safest, and most comfortable way to get up, and you dont even need a 3rd thether for going around branches.
After trying SRT, I feel it is quieter, but much more tiring.
I've made a carbon fiber diy predator platform that I use, and will try to find someone to film me this week.