problems with new Hitch Hiker.

[tramp bushler]

So I got my HH Monday and I've tried it 4 times and for some reason it is really variable in whether it grabs the rope or not
.

I've tried it on 7/16 Samson Static Kern and ArborPlex. I make the hitch as tight as I can. It will grab 3 out of 4 times. But that absolutely won't do.

Is there some magic rope I'm supposed to be using??

 

[tramp bushler]

Of course the Arbor Plex is 1/2"

 

[TheJollyLogger]

VT or swabisch?

 

[tramp bushler]

The hitch they show in the instructions that came with the HH.
It basically just wraps areoun the rope then back thru the dog bone.

 

[miko0618]

can you add wraps?

 

[tramp bushler]

I had 6 wraps on it. How many do I need???
Is there some rope it won't work on?

 

[tramp bushler]

At this point I'm about to give up on it as I don't have any confidence in it.
And I'm getting more p!$$30 @ Petzl for not making the zigzag right the first time. . I'de be hikin along having a great time with the zz if they hadn't screwed it up making it too light weight.
Those french are too skinny, don't they have McDonalds in France.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Just looked at the instructions, it's a single braid vt. I'd try throwing a second braid on it, esp. With the ropes your using, they're pretty stiff. Haven't had a chance to play with the hh yet.

 

[smokey01]

The hitch they show in the instructions that came with the HH.
It basically just wraps areoun the rope then back thru the dog bone.

Play with it for a while, set it and reset it a few times and you will get it dialed in.

Basically just a Valdôtain tresse without the "tresse" or braid part.

Good article on the knot here, An Overview of Climbing Hitches
By Mark Adams.

 

[husqvarna335xpt]

Tramp dont give up on it.... when I bought my first bee-line and tried the vt I was having the same problem wouldnt bite to save my life I just kept working it and working it grabs like a champ now.. I hung my 1/2" climb line in my garage and tied the vt and roughed it up and down the rope untied and retied and roughed it up again.. I was scared it wouldnt bite when I really needed it to...just keep playing with it.

 

[tramp bushler]

I am thinking of trying some 3/8 Tenex on it. And ordering some IceTail for it. That stuff is pretty limber but strong and heat resistant.



Wasn't a great day today. In this heat I can't seem to get past 5 trees side trimmed along the HV line to Glennallen. And I kinda spurred my new climbing rope uttahere2::sweat3::too_sad:

 

[sgreanbeans]

This is why I stay away from all these new gadgets. Seems the yare always trying to figure out how to skin a cat different. I don't trust this stuff. Give me a prusik and a couple biners. I climbed on a blakes till a couple years ago, wildthing showed me his set up with the swabish and I switched. Tried a few of these gadgets, no likey. Too much stuff in the way. Although, I will be getting a rock exotica swivel.

 

[Appalachian]

Nick has a really good video on it here: Ropetek HItchHiker - Basic Use and DRT / SRT Trans - YouTube
I've not used the beeline that came with mine, I just used some ice tail or hrc cord and no problems. The ice tail is a little jumpy but the hrc is pretty smooth.

 

[tramp bushler]

Nick has a really good video on it here: Ropetek HItchHiker - Basic Use and DRT / SRT Trans - YouTube
I've not used the beeline that came with mine, I just used some ice tail or hrc cord and no problems. The ice tail is a little jumpy but the hrc is pretty smooth.

One problem I had was figuring out which side of the HHgoes toward my body. I know these vids are good. But there are some basics that are important that get skipped over. Definatly not the install and use like an ascender or a GriGri.
Bonner uses 7 wrapped so I'll try that and will try some softer line. This thing has to be absolutely bomb proof for me before I'll go up a tree without my beloved spurs.

 

[tramp bushler]

SGB. I second the Rock Exotica swivels !!!!!!
I think I'll try one of their swivel pulleys on my rope bridge. I'm just curious how fool pruf the lock up is. I use a CMI pulley on my rope bridge and its pretty idiot pruf. But if I don't use 2 biners it twists. I spose a revolver caribiner would work on the bridge also.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

No Tenex!

I am thinking of trying some 3/8 Tenex on it. And ordering some IceTail for it. That stuff is pretty limber but strong and heat resistant.



Wasn't a great day today. In this heat I can't seem to get past 5 trees side trimmed along the HV line to Glennallen. And I kinda spurred my new climbing rope uttahere2::sweat3::too_sad:

Don't use tenex, Tramp, it's not designed for that. It melts at like 400 degrees, it would be real easy to burn through it. Jeff

 

[GIjim]

Hitch Hiker Instructions | RopeTek

I just got my HH so take this with a grain of salt, but I followed advice from folks on the tree house who basically say, load the hitch hard with your full weight, then untie the stopper knot and tighten it up from there.

I had questions before I bought it about the rope I was using and Paul (creator) was quick to reply after I emailed him on the ropetek website.

 

[tramp bushler]

Obviously you've never seen me come down a rope. Ya know that saying low and slow. , well I come down real slow. But, As I was feeling like hammered crap this morning I stayed at camp and rested up. This afternoon I worked on tiring the hh . I think I got er.
7 wraps. I got it so tight that I had the dog bone sucked up jamming the climbing line and I had to slack the knot off some. It doesn't zing up the line effortlessly. But it goes up nicely and it grabs the 7/16 static instantly.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I've been interested in that little sucker, does it self-tend well?

 

[tramp bushler]

OK, I won't use Tenex. But I really like Tenex. !!!!!!:msp_thumbup: