This is good feedback. Thank you! Think this is why some folks incorporate a rappel setup in their climbing system (ease/speed of descent).
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Why don't yall 2TC?
- Thread starter Red Beard
- Start date
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- 2tc two tether climbing
Brocky, I love this buddy! Thank you for sharing!
The how to videos are housed in the Ultra Light Climbing Method 2.0 thread.
I have not given it an honest attempt because ...just because, no reason. What I do is similar and hasnt given me any reason to look into anything else....
I'm not sure if it was your videos or not but the talking wasn't really the problem, though brevity is better. It was the volume. I've got really good headphones and I coul barely hear the talk even when maxed out listening from my phone. To get things in frame hurts audio understandably without a mic.
I've struggled with that on my vids with pov cameras. You should be able to go to your editing program and boost the volume . Just gotta be careful if wind or other noise comes through or you'll blow eardrums out.
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So I tried 2 TC once years ago after Scott Adkins showed it. At the time, I tried without a leg loop and it didn't go well. I was a sweaty and tired mess by the time I was 6 feet off the ground.
I intend to try again with a leg loop, but there are a few things overall that I consider cons from what I've seen from the various videos.
Unless you have the tether handles, you have to put your fingers between the tether and the tree when advancing the tether. I'm not a fan of this when standing on the leg loop. Perhaps I won't feel as unstable when I try with a leg loop, but it is still a concern. I also hunt some larger and rough barked trees, which makes advancing the tether difficult in many cases. I'd like to figure out a way that you could introduce some rigidity to the rope so you could advance it one handed after loosening the girth hitch. However, that could present more of a safety risk if the tether has a tendency to stay open.
Finally, I see rappelling down as pretty much a necessity for ease and also should you need to make a rapid descent as the bee example above highlights. I have a GriGri+ that I use for SRT already, but the rope I use for SRT is 75 feet of 10.5 mm. The device accommodates down to 8.5 mm, so I could get a shorter length of 9mm or something to use. However, I tend to hunt the same parcels and try to pick trees ahead of time, so doing presets for SRT often makes more sense for me.
So I like the idea and I think there is a lot of potential there and appreciate the information you have shared. Yet, like every climbing method I've tried so far, I see some significant challenges and downsides.
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
I intend to try again with a leg loop, but there are a few things overall that I consider cons from what I've seen from the various videos.
Unless you have the tether handles, you have to put your fingers between the tether and the tree when advancing the tether. I'm not a fan of this when standing on the leg loop. Perhaps I won't feel as unstable when I try with a leg loop, but it is still a concern. I also hunt some larger and rough barked trees, which makes advancing the tether difficult in many cases. I'd like to figure out a way that you could introduce some rigidity to the rope so you could advance it one handed after loosening the girth hitch. However, that could present more of a safety risk if the tether has a tendency to stay open.
Finally, I see rappelling down as pretty much a necessity for ease and also should you need to make a rapid descent as the bee example above highlights. I have a GriGri+ that I use for SRT already, but the rope I use for SRT is 75 feet of 10.5 mm. The device accommodates down to 8.5 mm, so I could get a shorter length of 9mm or something to use. However, I tend to hunt the same parcels and try to pick trees ahead of time, so doing presets for SRT often makes more sense for me.
So I like the idea and I think there is a lot of potential there and appreciate the information you have shared. Yet, like every climbing method I've tried so far, I see some significant challenges and downsides.
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
We need a well done video and a 1-stop shop to get everything needed to do the method efficiently. It’s just too foreign (kind of how 1-sticking used to be)... could be the next big thing for sure! Thanks for pioneering!
Went back and looked and it definitely wasn't your videos that I was referring too.
I’m afraid it increases virility. And as a single fella, that’s the last thing I need right now.
five
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Well said. I was trying to figure out how to word what I was thinking. But this better said than I would've come up with.
I was trying to take my time and address responses in sequential order throughout the day. But... crap, Kyle you're hilarious!
I think I was mistaken earlier, after reading more descriptions of the 2TC, it is different from the alternate lanyard method. The 2TC uses the trunk rather than the branches and using a fixed rope, SRT, to get up the tree, while being drawn into the trunk by the girth hitching of the trunk. Alt Lanyarding uses the branches to either hip trust up if close to the tree, or can girth hitch and SRT up to branch, but it is easier SRTing being a little ways from the trunk. You’re hanging straight down rather than being drawn into the tree. There’s no pinched fingers, the higher anchor point is weighted and the lower is unloaded and can be pulled.
This is hip thrusting, from The Tree Climbers Companion, also the source of the above picture.
This is hip thrusting, from The Tree Climbers Companion, also the source of the above picture.
You certainly bring up good points! I fully believe everyone should be using something on the outside of their girth hitch any time they move their tether up or down, regardlessof the climbing method. You'd be in a precarious position if caught with your body weight on your fingers. Tether handles can be made out of just about anything though... zip ties, 550, a juicebox straw.
And I'll second that the thigh loop and leg hook is key to one's stability.
As far as rigidity, I cut some flexible hose and put it over my rope in two places when I was using a thicker rope. It worked out really well to flip the rope up the back of the tree.
Thanks for the clarification Brocky!
After posting this, I actually went and watched your video @Red Beard . Hadn’t seen that one before, I think I saw one of the OG videos that was more difficult to follow. I actually think that video is quite clear, not sure you could explain it in much more clarity without it becoming a much longer video. So I suppose all I need is a place to buy a leg loop and some rope for a long prussic and I’m in business. Are you guys already selling these? Wouldn’t mind having another climbing method in the arsenal.
@Red Beard - The point was already made by @goody94 ... the first hurdle is obtaining a good leg loop for your thigh. Without it, the ascent is quite a bit more difficult, as noted in previous posts. I think that stops a lot of guys right there, because thigh loops aren't commercially available. I improvised one. I had an old rock climbing harness that wasn't getting any use, so I sacrificed it and cut off the excellent padded leg loops from the waist band/belt, and presto! ... instant padded thigh loop with carabiner clip-in point attached. The next hurdle for me is time to practice - I haven't had much of that - but I've tried it a little, and I want to get good at it because of the weight and packability advantage.
For the couple of times that I've tried it at low level, my conclusions were similar to @sureshot. I learned that the size of the tree trunk is a limitation. Too big, and you can't wrap your leg or move the tethers up efficiently ... making the climb too difficult. When I have multiple tree choices at a particular hunting spot, I like to choose ones large enough that I can use the tree for a decent amount of cover when deer approach.
Many of the oak trees in my area are too big for 2TC. Since I'm hunting public land, I can't damage the trees, so screw in steps, bolts, and spikes aren't an option. That leaves steps with straps, sticks, DRT, or SRT. I like SRT for the larger trees, and sticks for medium-sized trees. If I can get up the learning curve for 2TC on medium sized trees, I'll probably never pack sticks again. Even so, I expect I'll still need to use SRT on trees with large trunks. So like sureshot, I'll be carrying SRT and 2TC equipment together, and use the best option for the tree I decide to hunt that day.
For the couple of times that I've tried it at low level, my conclusions were similar to @sureshot. I learned that the size of the tree trunk is a limitation. Too big, and you can't wrap your leg or move the tethers up efficiently ... making the climb too difficult. When I have multiple tree choices at a particular hunting spot, I like to choose ones large enough that I can use the tree for a decent amount of cover when deer approach.
Many of the oak trees in my area are too big for 2TC. Since I'm hunting public land, I can't damage the trees, so screw in steps, bolts, and spikes aren't an option. That leaves steps with straps, sticks, DRT, or SRT. I like SRT for the larger trees, and sticks for medium-sized trees. If I can get up the learning curve for 2TC on medium sized trees, I'll probably never pack sticks again. Even so, I expect I'll still need to use SRT on trees with large trunks. So like sureshot, I'll be carrying SRT and 2TC equipment together, and use the best option for the tree I decide to hunt that day.
This is really good feedback guys. Thank you!
I agree with yall. Limitations on how big around a tree you can climb are certainly a deterrent. I haven't tried it, but I wonder if using a lineman's belt in lieu of the leg hook on large diameter trees would be helpful. I've never tried it because I'm limited in the size of tree I can climb by my wingspan. Think the biggest I personally can climb is around 20".
I didn't really want to turn this into a "where can I get x piece of gear" thread, but since a few of yall have asked now... @always89y is a great resource if you're looking for a thigh loop. Think that's really all that can be said without getting this thread moved.
@goody94 @LoadedLimbs @sweats @five @TNSTAAFL
I agree with yall. Limitations on how big around a tree you can climb are certainly a deterrent. I haven't tried it, but I wonder if using a lineman's belt in lieu of the leg hook on large diameter trees would be helpful. I've never tried it because I'm limited in the size of tree I can climb by my wingspan. Think the biggest I personally can climb is around 20".
I didn't really want to turn this into a "where can I get x piece of gear" thread, but since a few of yall have asked now... @always89y is a great resource if you're looking for a thigh loop. Think that's really all that can be said without getting this thread moved.
@goody94 @LoadedLimbs @sweats @five @TNSTAAFL
I thought @Red Beard 's video was very detailed. I want to try 2 TC soon but I want to study the video in detail making sure my legs and arms are in the proper position around the tree. Just trying to go out and do it with a cursory view of the video would be a SH** show, IMHO.
(That's SaddleHunter show )
(That's SaddleHunter show
)I'd give it a whirl, but as someone new to SH and climbing in general, and never having stitched anything ever I don't trust myself to create my own leg strap etc or other gear. I also don't have oodles of stuff like webbing/hose etc lying around with which to build. If I could get the parts and assemble, or buy a kit I'd be more inclined. So if anyone wants to toss a "thigh loop and leg hook" my way at cost I would be happy to provide a 100% amateur video testing it out. Would probably be worth it for the bloopers....
New to SH looking forward to the 2021 season in a saddle. The two tether system is one of the ways I plan to climb this year. I've watched a lot of videos on two tether climbing and I think Scott Adkins videos make it look easy. There's another two tether climber that uses a different piece of gear I haven't seen anyone mention. If you look up Sam's stealth climb you'll see him use a single rigid rung, hung from a tether to put both his feet on while he stands to move his saddle tether up. While I think the piece of wood he uses is just a flat out bad Idea, the concept looks like it works pretty well. I'm looking at using a Metolius easy aider on each foot for standing, possibly connected together at the bottom with a sling so I could straddle the tree with a foot on each side.