Tonight was the first time I tried the self-advancing Blakes hitch as in Tengus tips...
WOW! That works really slick. I found it especially useful when body thrusting. It's useful anytime, but most noticable to me when thrusting. If you haven't tried it, check it out.
I really liked it because I have a real minimalist side (unless we're talking flashlights or tools or....) No really, I like to be able to climb without a lot of gear. I like friction knots on the rope over ascenders, etc. Less gear, less to lose, drop or fail. I admit I sure like to look at gear in the catalogs; Sherrills is a sweet catalog. I keep trying ot find excuses to buy something, but I couldn't justify it until Robin was interested in climbing. BTW, she loves the Tengu I got her from NT. We've climbed every night since she got it.
-Gerry

I have been trying the self advancing blakes hitch and it works great! I have climbed on it several times and it is real easy to use.

Thanks for the tip!

stay tuned for a device that will eliminate the micro pulley or the second blakes hitch, as well as clean up the Tie in Point on the saddle. It will automatically advance the climbing hitch when the down rope is weighted.

i got something up my sleeve, making a clay model first before hitting the _meta_lsupermarket.

Come on.....I WANNA SEE IT!!!!

love
nick

Originally posted by SRT-Tech
stay tuned for a device that will eliminate the micro pulley or the second blakes hitch,

SRT Tech - How is your progress? We'd love to see what you've come up with!

Geof

I can appreciate saving money and using less gear...sometimes...

The double Blake's system that Tim illustrates can be built simply and cheap too. All it takes is a shoelace and a rope snap. A little more effeciency can be gained using a cheap pulley as a slack tender. Too often people are using rated pulleys that cost over $20 when a hardware store pulley will work.

This system has been called a 'Mini'Jack' in the past.