Page Contents:
Overview
This page compares anchors that are affixed on the tree trunk, and potentially advanced with a pole as we climb. Trunk anchors primarily sustain a lengthwise pull (vertically, down along the trunk), but as the climber approaches the anchor, the direction changes to be angled outward. Required attributes in an anchor:
- Choking / cinching, such that it can be set and remain in position with minimal sag.
- Strong & Secure
- Holds well in all directions
- Stable; not easily destabilized in activities like cyclic loading, position changes or even whipping on the slack rope in an attempt to destabilize it.
Trunk Anchors are often referred to as:
- Choking Anchors
- Cinching Anchors
- Spar Anchors
Two of the Trunk Anchors have dedicated pages:
Canopy anchors installed in a crotch are covered here:
Floating Anchor is covered here:
Conventional Tethers
JRB does not recommend the use of a conventional tether. Find the reasons on the Lifeline page.
Basal Anchors
Basal anchors are those placed on the base of the tree, with the rope routed up an over a sturdy crotch, enabling a climber to execute SRT on the other end of the rope. However, because the trunk of the tree is typically tapered at the base, JRB recommends that all trunk anchors have at least two wraps around the trunk rather than one, ensuring a better grip on the tree. In a hunting situation, JRB recommends that only time we should use Basal Anchor SRT is when its the only option. Why?
- It requires more than double the amount of rope.
- It doubles the load on the crotch.
- The anchor can be noticed by deer.
See the SRT page for more info:
Feature Comparison
JRB uses and recommends the following trunk anchors, detailed below:
- Maverick/Super/Flipped (MAV)
- Bloodgood Hitch (BG)
- Allegheny Hitch (ALH)
- JRB Cinch (JRBC)
- Toggled Double Loop (TDL)
- JRB Hitch (JRBH)
- Saddle Hunter’s Hitch (SHH)
- Pocono Hitch (POC)
The table contrasts the performance vs features:
- Stability = How well it cinches and stays in place
- Man Adv = Manually advance up the trunk
- Pole Adv = Advance with a pole
- Pole Adj = Manipulating with the pole after setting
- Retr Diff = Remote Retrieval Difficulty(after rappel)
- Noise = Noise/clang potential when advancing w/pole
- Branches = Navigate / bypass branches with a pole
- Basal = Basal anchor for SRT; all have 2 wraps around trunk.
- EEL = Either End Loadable, accepts load on both ends
- Creation Comp = Complexity in Creation
- Attachment Comp= Complexity in Attachment to the tree
Note: Creation and Attachment Complexity is the same for anchors with no prefabrication, such as the Maverick and JRB Hitch.
| Feature Comparison | MAV | BG | ALH | JRBC | TDL | JRBH | SHH | POC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stability | Good | Great | Great | Great | Fair | Great | Good | Fair |
| Man Adv | Good | Great | Good | Good | Good | Diff | Med | Good |
| Pole Adv | Good | Great | Good | Good | Good | No | Diff | Good |
| Pole Adj | Fair | Great | Poor | Good | Good | N/A | N/A | Good |
| Retr Diff | V. Low | Med | V High | High | Med | V. Low | N/A | Diff |
| Noise | Low | Low | Some | Most | Some | Low | Low | Some |
| Branches | Fair | Good | Fair | Good | Good | Can’t | Can’t | Fair |
| Basal | Use 2 wraps | Use 2 wraps | Use 2 wraps | Use 2 wraps | Use 2 wraps | Yes | Yes | Use 2 wraps |
| EEL | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Creation Comp. | High | Med | Low | High | High | High | Low | Med |
| Attachment Comp. | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | High | Low | Med |
The Anchors
Maverick Hitch (MAV)
The Maverick Hitch, Super Maverick Hitch and Flipped Maverick variants can be advanced manually or with a pole. If the Maverick Hitch is being used as a basal anchor, the rope should be wrapped around the trunk twice and securely cinched in a horizontal fashion. See dedicated page:
The Houdini Maverick technique is useful in SRT scenarios where the first branch in the tree can be used to get a throwball into, but is not trustworthy for a climb. See:
Bloodgood Hitch (BG)
If you could only learn ONE trunk anchor, this would be the recommendation. It’s simple, stable, cinching, non-jamming, auto tuning, fail-safe, ambidextrous, drop proof, easy to advance, works very well with the Maverick pole, and is retrievable. Introduced in 2025, the Bloodgood Hitch combines a Cowboy Bowline with a carabiner toggle to create this versatile anchor.
The photo below shows a Bloodgood hitch, ready for retrieval. After rappel, tension is applied to the orange retrieval cord, pulling AWAY from the tree (not straight down). A strong pull may be required depending on the diameter of the tree and roughness of the bark. It is important that the Bloodgood is built as described in the video, with a closed loop is not smaller than 12″ (30cm), ensuring:
- A few inches between the carabiner and the Cowboy Bowline.
- This allows the carabiner to be exercised leftward when tension is applied to the retrieval line.
- This movement reduces the cinching on the running line, enabling easier retrieval.
Allegheny Hitch (ALH)
Introduced in 2025, the Allegheny hitch is a really simple and effective trunk anchor. It is excellent for applications where the climber is manually advancing an anchor as they climb. It also can be advanced with a pole. Once load has been placed on the line, the hitch sets tightly and it becomes very difficult to adjust its position with a pole. The hitch is very difficult to retrieve. If the Allegheny is used on the way up the tree, consider switching to a different anchor (using the other end of your rope) for rappel and retrieval operations.
JRB Cinch (JRBC)
Specifically designed for climbers who are not comfortable tying knots at the climbing site, and used in methods like JRB Hitch Climbing and Stick Climbing, the JRB Cinch is an alternative to the Maverick. Advantages: Given that it does not need to be tied at the climbing site, it is easier to affix. It is also easier to use when navigating branches. It is easier to remove the Maverick Pole from a Cinch than a Maverick. Disadvantages: Metal on metal noise is possible if the pole contacts the ring or carabiner. Retrieval requires more effort and has more complexity, sometimes requiring a JRB Cinch to be removed from the rope, requiring reconstruction before the next climb. Building a double sided system requires slightly more rope than Maverick Systems. If the Maverick Hitch is being used as a basal anchor, the rope should be wrapped around the tree twice and securely cinched in a horizontal fashion. The JRB Cinch (and video links) are detailed on a dedicated page:
Toggled Double Loop (TDL)
A Toggled Double Loop (such as the JRB Bowline or Alpine Butterfly) Anchor must be created with very small loops. Simply put it around the tree, run the line through the loops and then put a carabiner through the two loops as a toggle, locking it in place. The TDL is simple to create, but does not cinch as tightly as some of the other options.
JRB Hitch (JRBH)
The JRB Hitch has to be manually set and cannot be advanced with a pole. However, it’s the easiest anchor for remote retrieval because it explodes off the tree, leaving no strand around the tree. JRB prefers it for a Basal Anchor when executing SRT in certain situations. JRB also prefers it as a Rappel anchor if setting a rappel line manually at the top of a climb (and there is not already a Maverick or JRB Cinch in place, or there would be difficulty retrieving it).
Saddle Hunter’s Hitch (SHH)
The Saddle Hunter’s Hitch is the best option when setting the anchor manually and wanting it to be as high up on the trunk as possible. JRB uses it when a pole is not available, or for temporary applications where the hitch is manually removed. It is also EEL (either end loadable) and valuable in certain rigging and rescue scenarios. Some hunters use the EEL feature to hang a backpack from the unused side. Even though there is a remote retrieval variant published, JRB does not prefer the SHH in those scenarios, with preference for one of the options above. Note: The SHH has not been adequately tested for it to be recommended for basal anchor applications.
Pocono Hitch (POC)
If you have a conventional tether with a sewn end loop or any rope with a secure loop at the end, adding a carabiner and creating a Pocono hitch allows us to secure it to the tree WITHOUT running the entire line through the loop AND with a more stable choke on the tree. Note that the carabiner does not need to be attached to the rope as shown in this video. (The Pocono Hitch was introduced by our friend Jon at ArcheryElite).
Other options
The following video was made before the Maverick Hitch and Pocono hitches were released, however, it still provides relevant background and covers some other more basic options.