Comparing rope techniques on a big oak removal, the Blake's hitch won out

I was out with a crew in Portland last month taking down a 90 foot red oak in someone's backyard. The other climber was using a mechanical ascender with a Petzl setup, and I stuck with my standard Blake's hitch and a simple friction hitch. He kept fighting the rope running against the bark while I was able to adjust and stay smooth through the whole thing. The mechanical gear felt clunky on that rough bark compared to just using my hands. Has anyone else noticed a simpler hitch working better on those rough-barked trees?

2 comments

2 Comments

riverf346d ago

Guess I'm just too lazy to carry the extra gear.

wren3076d ago

Honestly @riverf34, I used to think people were just making excuses about carrying less gear. Then I went on a 5 mile hike with a buddy who brought nothing but a water bottle and a snack, and I was stuck with my full pack the whole time. Watching him just stroll along without stopping to adjust straps or dig through bags changed my mind completely. Now I trim down as much as I can and it makes the whole trip way more enjoyable.