Retreever,  Friday, 09 May 2008 I was interested in this tool the first time I saw it at one of Sherrill's catalogs. I use it sometimes but not very often since I have developed alternatives to its use. It is a bit on the way while climbing since it hangs from the side of the saddle. I noticed that the hook is not strong enough and tends to pull straight and releases the rope that you are trying to retrieve. Also the hook tends to gyrate freely on its axis which makes it a bit tricky to handle and control. A nice tool but I have not been getting the most use out of it for the money paid. Try it first before you buy if you can.

 Petzl Basic Ascender,  Thursday, 20 March 2008 This was my first mechanical ascender used to tie my foot loop to the climbing line. I was not aware of prusik loops at that time so this was the option I took. After improving my climbing education, I figure out other ways to use this tool. It can be used as any "handled" ascender with the difference that this one does not have a handle. It can be incorporaded in the RADS system for SRT Climbing or it can be used to replace the friction hitch in a DRT set up. I like this tool because it is durable, easy to use and fairly economical. It works in the same principal as the Croll ascender. Give it try and you will agree!

 Desdending Racks",  Thursday, 13 December 2007 After reading the other reviews on the "Hyper Rack" and looked at the two aluminum racks that I own and I tried to figure out when was the last time I used either one and the reason why they are not used more often. First, the trees I climb are rather short at about 75 feet tall so there is not that much opportunity to use them and second reason they are rather heavy at about 2 pounds each. I got these racks from a friend Caver that donated them to me. They look in perfect conditions after a few years of use they are rather heavy and therefore the main reason for me not using them regularly. I think that If a climber does more frequent SRT climbs on fairly tall tree this would be an ideal tool to have available. I prefer the Gri-gri for my climbs. The racks are reasonably priced and easy to order from many on-line gear suppliers but I personally do not use them that much.

 One Eye Split Tail,  Thursday, 13 December 2007 After my basic learning on the traditional System I changed over to the split tail system and I have never gone back. This is so easy to use in switch overs in the tree that just for that reason I would use it exclusively. The fact that it can be manufactured in a basic splicing class is another fact. I have made a few now with Nick's instructions and they work great and are safe and very durable.

As nick mentioned below "Have your sling made with small eye just big enough to get the carabiner into (I call that a "carabiner eye"). The eye itself will grab onto the carabiner. You will have a cleaner system than with the girth hitch method described above." Overall the fact that my climbing line is protected from mayor friction damage is another consideration to think about with this system of climbing. Yes, you will have to carry one extra piece of gear but it is well worth it. Give it a try and you will never go back to the traditional system.

 Bee Line Eye & Eye Split Tail,  Thursday, 13 December 2007 This is one of those pieces of gear that are so simple and so practical that I wonder why it is not introduced sooner to every recreational tree climber. It is strong, easy to handle knots, not very expensive even with custom made splices and it lasts forever (it looks like).
I have one that Nick put together in our MS rendezvous a couple of years back and it still looks like new. This is the one with a double fisherman's loop tied on each end as a substitute for the spliced eyes. I also ordered one from Sherrill 's with the eyes stiched with their custom Grizzly machine and they are great. Very Strong and the splices are protected in a plastic clear enclosure. That one is a bit longer than usual (36- inches, I think) but I just make an extra wrap around the main climbing line and it works great with the Michoacan knot (Martin Knot). I recommend this piece of gear either the traditional one with knots tied or the custom spliced one from Nick or the Sherrill Grizzly splice. Great tool.