treeweasel wrote:

My only problem was I found myself pulling down on the rope with my hands positioned above the Blake's knot. So I think my split tail is too short! I was using a Bee-line as a split tail on my 7/16 climbing rope, but I think I need more length. There was a time or two when pulling from above the Blake's that I'd nudge the hitch and got a little fright when it slipped down like it's supposed to do.

Don't think your split tail is too short. I advocate pulling the down rope with one hand above the hitch and one below it. As you pull down on the rope the lower hand slides the hitch up. Pull a little, slide the hitch up a little, pull a little more, slide the hitch up a little more until your legs are fully extended on the Pantin/footloop/down rope. Make sure you have your feet under your butt when you're "standing" on the rope and pulling down with your arms. Your legs should be doing most of the work, arms are working but don't have to be working that hard. Moving the hitch up shouldn't be requiring much extra energy. If it is you need to modify your overall climbing motion.

Beeline is not great for a split tail/Blakes combination. You should be using a rope of the same diameter and similar construction as your climbing rope. Beeline is going to tend to grab and lock on your 7/16" climbing rope. THe hitch shouldn't slip down when you "nudge" it. You'll find the hitch will behave much better for ascent or descent if you use same construction/same diameter split tail material as your climbing rope.
-moss

Baker,

Thanks for sharing the Purcell Prusik. I'm not sure I understand how you use the Purcell and the Petzl ascender together?

I am using a Petzl ascender for one foot. You must be using the Purcell as a loop for your other foot? But how is it connected? I can't visualize it, sorry?

Actually, when I first looked at the Purcell I thought of using it like a Double Daisy Rope lanyard. Are you familar with the Double Daisy? Wouldn't the Purcell do the same thing? Just attach a carabiner to the middle of the loop formed by the prusik knot. It seems like it would be simpler as a long lanyard than the Double Daisy. What do you think?

TW

Moss,

Thanks for the motion tips. I do still need to practice the rhythm, I think that's what is tiring me out so. I'm using too much arm. I'll try your suggestions with hands above and below.

Also you wrote:

"Beeline is not great for a split tail/Blakes combination. You should be using a rope of the same diameter and similar construction as your climbing rope. Beeline is going to tend to grab and lock on your 7/16" climbing rope. THe hitch shouldn't slip down when you "nudge" it. You'll find the hitch will behave much better for ascent or descent if you use same construction/same diameter split tail material as your climbing rope."

You are exactly right, the Beeline was too tight. My 7/16ths rope is new. I wanted to try it because of its lighteness, but I'm not used to it yet. I felt a lot safer with the 1/2 inch rope.

I guess I'm still "learning the ropes". Pun intended. I wonder, did that saying come from loggers or boatmen?

I learned that you can not easily by a short piece of the same size climbing rope. That's why I bought a Beeline. I found a local Arbor Supply place and they don't cut off small sections of climbing rope. Is this common practice?

I bought 150' of Prolite 24 7/16ths. So, should I cut off 4' of my climbing rope to use as a Split Line?

TW

Wespur sells by climbing rope the foot and other mail order suppliers do too. Try calling New Tribe too and see if they'll help you out. You should be able to get what you need. My local arborist supplier keeps a spool of 11mm Fly to sell by the foot, I guess mileage varies per dealer
-moss

treeweasel wrote:
Baker,

Thanks for sharing the Purcell Prusik. I'm not sure I understand how you use the Purcell and the Petzl ascender together?

I am using a Petzl ascender for one foot. You must be using the Purcell as a loop for your other foot? But how is it connected? I can't visualize it, sorry?

Speaking of which, my favorite DdRT foot ascending technique is to use a Pantin on the right foot and a single loop footlock on the left. Works great, you can move the left foot right up next to the Pantin and stand on the down rope with both feet locked side-by-side. Then move the Pantin up for the next pull, followed by the single footlock, repeat until you're where you want to go. Don't forget to keep your knees together while your standing up on the rope, keeps them happy.
-moss

Combo Pantin footlock technique

treeweasel wrote:

I bought 150' of Prolite 24 7/16ths. So, should I cut off 4' of my climbing rope to use as a Split Line?
TW

Do you need a split tail at this point?

I'd go buy some 11mm arb rope by the foot before cutting the 150'. You don't need to match the exact same brand rope. It's good to have a color difference to differentiate the split tail from the climbing rope.
-moss