Help with Hitchclimber, please?

Weta · 17th May 2007, 12:50 AM

Gidday:
I was hoping to get some advice on my newly purchased hitchclimber. I have set it the way Beddes does, with the friction hitch (distel in my case) legs coming down either side of the hitchclimber, and connected through the bottom hole with a carabiner, and on to the harness. The end of the climbing line is connected to the top hole of the hitchclimber with another carabiner. My issue is that the carabiner in the top hole interferes with the hitch when it is advanced. This means that if, for example, I am DRT footlocking, the hitch is interfered with and thus remains open - it doesn't grab if I don't dress it - not an overly enjoyable thing. Anyways, I am trying different hitches, but does anyone else use the hitchclimber and can offer advice, please? I hope this makes sense...

jim1nz · 17th May 2007, 12:57 AM

Hey Weta where abouts in NZ are you from?? Whats ya name?

You must have gone to Beddis workshop then...

Sean Freeman · 17th May 2007, 01:28 AM

Weta have you got the guide for the hitchclimber from treemagineers? if not go here and click on the link the PDF is too big for me to post here.
http://www.treepro.co.nz/accessories.asp
There are examples on page 7 of three common misconfigurations.

jim1nz · 17th May 2007, 02:06 AM

Hitchclimber,

I do not own a hitchclimber so i haven't had a lot of time to play with the set up. But i can give you a few suggestions on things to try;

When DRT footlocking, there is a high possibility you knot will open more than usual anyway, depending on your technique but you should be sure to set and dress your prussic properly.

Ha i have just seen Boa's link to Tree Pro, there is no point in going through it all with a link like that! Rotorua Tree Professionals, Tim Sharp is a kiwi legend, if you want to know about the set up just give him a call.

Better yet get Tim to join up!!!

Sorry to say it, but at this stage after having a short whirl of the hitch climber, im not convinced. I dont like the way the system is set up in line with the climber, it means the prussic is behind the rope dead-end. Its too easy to end up with both ends of the DRT system when you grab your prussic plus you have to go around the dead-end to even get to your prussic!

Also you will notice how close the ropes run together, this can cause the ropes to rub up against each other and burn

Weta · 18th May 2007, 09:52 PM

Thanks for the link. Boa07. Too late for the advice on not buying it though, Jim. Yes, I was at Beddes' workshop (Mon-Tues Session). The man is a genius! When my nephew was given a superman cape at three, he thought that it could make him fly like Clarke Kent, and thus launched himself off his top bunk with total confidence. I don't think I learned from his bloodied nose, because I bought all Beddes' gear (Treemotion harness and hitchclimber) believing it would help me to climb like Beddes...turns out that you can't buy talent. I am happy with the harness, however, it's a hell of a step up from my old bulky Buckingham traverse - but the hitchclimber I haven't adjusted to. As to where in NZ I am from, I'll give you a hint - it's on the west coast where the women let their gumboots shave their legs. I see that you're from the beautiful Bay of Plenty - my home town is Toe-rags, and I did my student experience with ArborCare there.

hamuranahilbily · 18th May 2007, 10:00 PM

Are you "hitched yet or still in a dark hole???

Sean Freeman · 18th May 2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

on the west coast where the women let their gumboots shave their legs

Ha ha, I always thought Footrot flats was just a cartoon strip till I came to Oz and actually met lots of Kiwis, now I know its autobiographical

jim1nz · 19th May 2007, 03:28 AM

Hey Weta, so do you own a hitch climber already then? Dont give up on it yet, as all systems it takes time, patience and practice!

Haha dont compare yourself to Beddis, he is a difficult act to follow! A true legend, thats what happens when you live and breath tree climbing since you were 15...

Hmm west coast a, I need another hint! Got some ideas... Oh yea you worked for Arborcare, as did i when i was learning, loved it there, great hard working crew. So you did the course at WINTEC then?

Weta · 22nd May 2007, 02:15 PM

Alright Jim, I was sure the gumboot thing was a dead give-away, but the attached is a photo of the mountain that our province is named after. I could also give you the hint that all the locals are obsessed by rugby, but in NZ that doesn't narrow it down at all!

Yes, I did study at WINTEC. The first year was a total gyp (hort practices, what's that to do with arb?), but the second year was a blast. I was fortunate to be in the intake that saw the best NZ climbers (Paul, Andy, and sometimes Tony) as our tutors. We were a rowdy bunch, and I have to say that Andy has the patience of a saint!

Ekka · 22nd May 2007, 09:10 PM

Mount Ruapehu?

Ekka · 22nd May 2007, 09:13 PM

no no. Mt Egmont?

Sean Freeman · 22nd May 2007, 10:34 PM

Gee weta I had Wellington pegged for the gumboot reference

They're also the NPC side I support

jim1nz · 22nd May 2007, 11:45 PM

Weta, i thought Taihape was the gumboot central so there is where you had me confused.

Its MT TARANAKI! Great spot there.

Very good, what year did you study? Yea they are a very good team at WINTEC no doubt. I had the opportunity to help out tutoring the practical courses in the past months and last year, love it. Haha yea hort practices is not the most specific subject for arboriculture but it helps broaden your knowledge i suppose.

All Eyes on Tony, hes representing us at Hawaii for the world climbing champs this year and hes going to be a challenger for the top spot i reckon!

Ekka · 23rd May 2007, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1nz

Its MT TARANAKI! Great spot there.

Bugger, I didn't get to win the gumboot.

Sean Freeman · 23rd May 2007, 12:25 AM

Yeah no fair its bloody wet all over NZ, so the gumboot clue was no clue at all!

jim1nz · 23rd May 2007, 03:32 AM

Sorry boys, you just got to be in the know!

Weta · 25th May 2007, 12:52 AM

Well, actually Ekka was correct with his second guess of Mt. Egmont, because that is the non-Maori name. I was considering posting a photo of inside the crater - then we would have found out who the mountaineers are! The gumboot thing was referring to how rural the province is...trees are a rarity, as they have been bowled to make way for the more profitable grass. It was a shock coming here after living in the well-wooded city of Hamilton.

Can I have a punt on your ID, James - are you the James who holds the current footlocking record for NZ? If so, I saw you set that at the North Shore in 2006 - totally amazing, especially with a rope miss as well.

17th May 2007, 12:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
Weta Sappling Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 8	Help with Hitchclimber, please? Gidday: I was hoping to get some advice on my newly purchased hitchclimber. I have set it the way Beddes does, with the friction hitch (distel in my case) legs coming down either side of the hitchclimber, and connected through the bottom hole with a carabiner, and on to the harness. The end of the climbing line is connected to the top hole of the hitchclimber with another carabiner. My issue is that the carabiner in the top hole interferes with the hitch when it is advanced. This means that if, for example, I am DRT footlocking, the hitch is interfered with and thus remains open - it doesn't grab if I don't dress it - not an overly enjoyable thing. Anyways, I am trying different hitches, but does anyone else use the hitchclimber and can offer advice, please? I hope this makes sense...

17th May 2007, 12:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
jim1nz Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tauranga, New Zealand Posts: 296	Hey Weta where abouts in NZ are you from?? Whats ya name? You must have gone to Beddis workshop then... __________________ SPEED ALWAYS FOLLOWS TECHNIQUE

17th May 2007, 01:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,645	Weta have you got the guide for the hitchclimber from treemagineers? if not go here and click on the link the PDF is too big for me to post here. http://www.treepro.co.nz/accessories.asp There are examples on page 7 of three common misconfigurations. __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

17th May 2007, 02:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
jim1nz Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tauranga, New Zealand Posts: 296	Hitchclimber, I do not own a hitchclimber so i haven't had a lot of time to play with the set up. But i can give you a few suggestions on things to try; When DRT footlocking, there is a high possibility you knot will open more than usual anyway, depending on your technique but you should be sure to set and dress your prussic properly. Ha i have just seen Boa's link to Tree Pro, there is no point in going through it all with a link like that! Rotorua Tree Professionals, Tim Sharp is a kiwi legend, if you want to know about the set up just give him a call. Better yet get Tim to join up!!! Sorry to say it, but at this stage after having a short whirl of the hitch climber, im not convinced. I dont like the way the system is set up in line with the climber, it means the prussic is behind the rope dead-end. Its too easy to end up with both ends of the DRT system when you grab your prussic plus you have to go around the dead-end to even get to your prussic! Also you will notice how close the ropes run together, this can cause the ropes to rub up against each other and burn __________________ SPEED ALWAYS FOLLOWS TECHNIQUE

18th May 2007, 10:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
hamuranahilbily Sappling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Volcanic crater Nth Is NZ Posts: 9	Hitched Are you "hitched yet or still in a dark hole???

18th May 2007, 09:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
Weta Sappling Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 8	Thanks for the link. Boa07. Too late for the advice on not buying it though, Jim. Yes, I was at Beddes' workshop (Mon-Tues Session). The man is a genius! When my nephew was given a superman cape at three, he thought that it could make him fly like Clarke Kent, and thus launched himself off his top bunk with total confidence. I don't think I learned from his bloodied nose, because I bought all Beddes' gear (Treemotion harness and hitchclimber) believing it would help me to climb like Beddes...turns out that you can't buy talent. I am happy with the harness, however, it's a hell of a step up from my old bulky Buckingham traverse - but the hitchclimber I haven't adjusted to. As to where in NZ I am from, I'll give you a hint - it's on the west coast where the women let their gumboots shave their legs. I see that you're from the beautiful Bay of Plenty - my home town is Toe-rags, and I did my student experience with ArborCare there.

19th May 2007, 03:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
jim1nz Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tauranga, New Zealand Posts: 296	Hey Weta, so do you own a hitch climber already then? Dont give up on it yet, as all systems it takes time, patience and practice! Haha dont compare yourself to Beddis, he is a difficult act to follow! A true legend, thats what happens when you live and breath tree climbing since you were 15... Hmm west coast a, I need another hint! Got some ideas... Oh yea you worked for Arborcare, as did i when i was learning, loved it there, great hard working crew. So you did the course at WINTEC then? __________________ SPEED ALWAYS FOLLOWS TECHNIQUE

22nd May 2007, 09:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,869	Mount Ruapehu? __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

22nd May 2007, 09:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,869	no no. Mt Egmont? __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

22nd May 2007, 10:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,645	Gee weta I had Wellington pegged for the gumboot reference They're also the NPC side I support __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

22nd May 2007, 11:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
jim1nz Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tauranga, New Zealand Posts: 296	Weta, i thought Taihape was the gumboot central so there is where you had me confused. Its MT TARANAKI! Great spot there. Very good, what year did you study? Yea they are a very good team at WINTEC no doubt. I had the opportunity to help out tutoring the practical courses in the past months and last year, love it. Haha yea hort practices is not the most specific subject for arboriculture but it helps broaden your knowledge i suppose. All Eyes on Tony, hes representing us at Hawaii for the world climbing champs this year and hes going to be a challenger for the top spot i reckon! __________________ SPEED ALWAYS FOLLOWS TECHNIQUE

23rd May 2007, 12:25 AM	#15 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,645	Yeah no fair its bloody wet all over NZ, so the gumboot clue was no clue at all! __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

23rd May 2007, 03:32 AM	#16 (permalink)
jim1nz Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tauranga, New Zealand Posts: 296	Sorry boys, you just got to be in the know! __________________ SPEED ALWAYS FOLLOWS TECHNIQUE

25th May 2007, 12:52 AM	#17 (permalink)
Weta Sappling Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 8	Well, actually Ekka was correct with his second guess of Mt. Egmont, because that is the non-Maori name. I was considering posting a photo of inside the crater - then we would have found out who the mountaineers are! The gumboot thing was referring to how rural the province is...trees are a rarity, as they have been bowled to make way for the more profitable grass. It was a shock coming here after living in the well-wooded city of Hamilton. Can I have a punt on your ID, James - are you the James who holds the current footlocking record for NZ? If so, I saw you set that at the North Shore in 2006 - totally amazing, especially with a rope miss as well.