Actually I do often use them...

The more I think about it I think that it may have to do with what is at the bottom of the tree. I've never had slipping in a wild tree, there you have leaf cover on the ground below. On the trees where I have seen the problem there is bare ground, which is constantly wet. I am starting to think that my rope is just getting grimy on the ground, and that is causing the issue. To further this theory the two times I've used the sportline in those trees I deployed from a ropebag (I was using only one end, setting a rope for the kids.)

Dietly, how's the ground under your trees in the great white north? I bet you are climbing on ground with pine needle cover, which would be similar to my nasty dirt. Either that or my theory is complete bunk!

Carelessly spouting forth poor theories, instead of getting into the trees.
Icabod (I'd rather be climbing)

I've been using XTP candy striped rope for years now. I use the slower B-53 knot because I hate sudden "skips" on my descents. I have experienced knot creep a few times. The creep is usually slow, but any creep- uh- gives me the creeps, and I respond with a vigorous upwards tug on the tail which stops that nonsense and brings my internal chemical reactions down to a tolerable level. I have never known the Blakes to create a free fall situation. A safety knot as backup down low on the rope might be a good idea until you regain trust in the knot. Like you said, we always tie a safety knot for the kids. Let's not forget that it is that same kid in a grown up body that gets us into the trees.

Thanks everyone!

I'm glad that I'm not the only one experiencing this. I guess we still don't know exactly what is causing it, but it is extremely comforting to know that many others have experienced slipping and not only survived to tell about it, but still enjoy tree climbing!

Patrick, I don't know if size has anything to do with it or not, but I can certainly second your statement that a Blake's hitch never seems to slip on a Sportline. And, I'm going to cinch up a little before descending, too.

Icabod, I agree that it likely isn't the bark; I always use a sleeve-type cambium saver or a false crotch. It could be the ground. The ground where I most recently had the problem was buried under a thick _layer_ of leaf mulch and sword ferns, along with some rotten, moss covered logs, all covered with about 7 feet of salmonberry bush and devil's club. However, under my "practice tree" is mostly just bare dirt, and even though I use a rock-climbing-type rope tarp, the rope still gets considerable time in said dirt. It doesn't look super grimy, but it sure doesn't look pristine white anymore, either. Furthermore, the soil around here has a high clay content, so the dry stuff tends to have a texture similar to talcum powder! You may cerainly have something here; keep the theories coming!

Treeman, thanks for your input. I feel very encouraged by your comment that you have never known a Blake's to allow a freefall. It's true that it'll take a while to trust the knot again, and I will use some safety knots for that while, but just from the feedback I've received here I'll feel more confident on my next climbs. Please tell me, though, what's a B-53 knot? Is it a 5/3 Blake's?

I thank you all, and my inner kid thanks you, too!

Brad

Originally posted by Dietley
I know the knots were tied right, I double and triple checked themI'm not ignoring your original post; I'm just sharing this experience.

I tried tying a hitch like a Blake's except instead of finishing over the bridge and under the running end I went over the bridge and over the running end. This produced a hitch that mostly belayed as expected, except when it slipped.

Are you still slipping? (Do you find your 2003-11-13 post ironic, too?)

Yeah, I find it rather ironic, too. Do you suppose if I loosen my Blake's a little, it might not slip? Having it good and tight hasn't helped!
I'm not visualizing the alternate version of the Blake's hitch you describe, but it doesn't sound like what I'm tying.....I hope.
I screwed up my back at work and haven't climbed for several weeks, so I haven't had a chance to try any changes, so, no slipping. Unless you're referring to my sanity, in which case the slippage is no worse than usual!

It took a while, but I finally got up a tree with the XTC. (It could have happened two weeks ago, but I got my new Fly and just had to try it out a couple of times, first!)

I washed the ol' XTC in a commercial front-loader washing machine, with warm water and soap flakes (not detergent). After being cleaned it was way whiter than I remembered, was a little bit fuzzier (but still pretty new looking -- you just have to love cambium savers!), and was softer and more pliable. The surface didn't seem any more "grippy" or anything, but the increased softness and pliability could certainly cause a hitch to grab better, I would imagine.

Between the encouraging words from you people and from the performance of the Blake's hitch today, it was very easy to trust it. I was up and down the tree three times, and never had the slightest bit of creep. I was using a 5/3 Blake's, but after today I will probably try a 4/2 version next time, with confidence.

Other than the laundering, nothing really changed. Same knot, same weight, same technique, similar climatic conditions. I don't know if cleaning a rope is supposed to make much difference, especially since it didn't seem terrible filthy to begin with, but _base_d on my own experience here, I'm thinking that it might be reasonable to conclude that it makes a large difference. Is it?

Brad