I've been reading this site for the last couple of weeks, in the pursuit of using professional tools and techniques as a recreational tree climber. I feel like I've gotten lots details about the latest hitches to use and ways to rig a saddle, but feel like I'm still missing the big picture, probably because of my lack of experience.
For instance, I've been reading about the Distal hitch, which I've never come across in my other reading. From what I gather, some folks are using this hitch, with the carabiner and rope-tending mini-pulley, as an ascender knot, like a Prussic or Blake's. I can't figure out how this works efficiently, because it looks like it would slump over on the upward thrust, then take 6-12 inches of drop to reset.
Others seem to be using the Distal on their lanyard, as a one-handed length adjustment. I can see how this would work out. However, from my other reading, I thought the latest thing was split-tailed lanyards adjusted with a Prussic or Gibbs-like device.
So, overall, I think I'm seeing the trees but missing the forest [apt analogy]. Is there a unified source of information on the latest tools and techniques, or is the latest so recent that I should just get the details here and there, and try to put it all together myself?
Thanks for your suggestions. I'm really enjoying reading your posts here.
-Kevin Zembower
For instance, I've been reading about the Distal hitch, which I've never come across in my other reading. From what I gather, some folks are using this hitch, with the carabiner and rope-tending mini-pulley, as an ascender knot, like a Prussic or Blake's. I can't figure out how this works efficiently, because it looks like it would slump over on the upward thrust, then take 6-12 inches of drop to reset.
Others seem to be using the Distal on their lanyard, as a one-handed length adjustment. I can see how this would work out. However, from my other reading, I thought the latest thing was split-tailed lanyards adjusted with a Prussic or Gibbs-like device.
So, overall, I think I'm seeing the trees but missing the forest [apt analogy]. Is there a unified source of information on the latest tools and techniques, or is the latest so recent that I should just get the details here and there, and try to put it all together myself?
Thanks for your suggestions. I'm really enjoying reading your posts here.
-Kevin Zembower