Page Contents:
Background
The saddle hunting industry predominantly consists of stick climbing enthusiasts who promotes two primary ropes, with definitions below, duplicated from the dictionary.
Tether: A short rope (typically 10ft) used to create an anchor point / TIP on the tree, providing a connection between the tree and the climber, typically via a carabiner on the bridge of the saddle. A tether is typically constructed from static climbing rope. The rope strand extending from the anchor typically hosts a moveable friction knot or device, connected to the bridge of the saddle using a carabiner. The anchor point for a tether is typically installed within reach of the climber. A tether holds the full weight of the climber and should be considered a life safety connection.
Safety Considerations
Please consider the following information. For additional info:
Lifeline vs Tether
Instead of a tether, JRB recommends that climbers consider using a lifeline instead, specifically a rope that safely connects us to the tree at all times and provides a rappel path to safety on the ground. Think of a Lifeline as a “long tether”. See FAQ:
DIY Tether Design
This photo shows the correct positioning of the carabiner around the rope for optimal tending.
Ape Canyon offers a kit for JRB’s Tether/Lineman’s Belt Design. This is an amazing deal…your JRB15 coupon code applies as well!
Ape Canyon Products
See Ape Canyon’s Tether selection here, and use the JRB15 coupon code for 15% discount on items not already discounted:
Components of a Tether
Other designs are possible. If designing your own device, consider that the following are typical components of a tether or lineman’s belt.
1: Two Carabiners
There is typically a carabiner on each side of a Lineman’s Belt. The tether has a carabiner connected to the bridge of the saddle. A second carabiner might be used in the anchor.
2: The Rope
Please review the information on the Rope page, which covers the different types of ropes, diameters and lengths, with product recommendations and discounts. JRB recommends 12′.
3: The Anchor
The Anchor. There are many anchors for a rope in a tree. For a tether, JRB recommends the Allegheny Hitch:
4: The Friction Hitch
JRB prefers a self tending friction hitch, such as the Compact, non-Jamming JRB Ascender or the Longhorn Agile Hitch. See the page for all the choices: