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Two Tether (2TC)

Page Contents:

Overview

The Two Tether Climbing Method (2TC) is a climbing method which was pioneered and continues evolve by DIY innovators in the Saddle Community, with a growing number of variations and demonstrations that can be found on YouTube. As implied by the name, the system consists of 2 tethers, one of which is connected to the saddle and one of which is connected to a footloop (and sometimes the saddle too). The climber alternates body load on each tether while advancing the other. Here’s one of our friends demonstrating a climb on a utility pole. Note: It is much easier to advance a tether on a Utility Pole than a rough barked tree.

JRB’s Opinion

This page documents JRB’s opinion on 2TC. Note that a Hitch Climbing System can be used to execute what is effectively a 2TC climb and overcome the ‘cons’ listed below.

Safety

The information on the safety page is prerequisite knowledge.

Safety

Variants

There are many variations of 2TC systems, including:

  • Variation in the anchor used.
  • Variation in the use of mechanical devices vs friction hitches vs tethers of fixed size.
  • Variation in the number of tethers needed to climb a branched tree (most need 3).

For purposes of brevity, JRB is defining the the following terms to cover an important distinction between the various 2TC systems. (If there are defined terms already for this distinction in the 2TC community, please leave a comment):

  • Traditional 2TC System: The upper tether attaches to the saddle bridge and the lower tether attaches to a footloop. Bypassing branches requires a daredevil move or a 3rd tether.
  • Smart 2TC System: The upper tether attaches to the saddle bridge and the lower tether attaches to BOTH a footloop AND the saddle bridge (or a 2nd bridge). The reason JRB refers to it as “smart” is because there is always one stable connection between the saddle bridge and the tree AND because we don’t need the 3rd tether.

Pro’s & Con’s of 2TC

Pro’s

  1. The climber is tied in and on little slack at all times. A significant fall is unlikely, especially when compared to the majority of saddle hunters who lack a tie-in and/or slack management plan during ascent.
  2. Low profile/ bulk; requires a minimal amount of gear.
  3. Inexpensive.

Con’s (and concerns)

  1. Safety: The climber does not have a line to ground at all times and can’t rappel to safety. Getting stuck in a tree is a realistic hazard.
  2. Safety: In traditional 2TC systems, the climber is not connected to a choked anchor at all times. Smart 2TC systems do not have this fault.
  3. Safety: Traditional 2TC systems require the climber to balance on one leg while advancing their upper tether. If the climber loses balance during this time, the sequence of events is unpredictable, and injury is possible. Smart 2TC systems do not have this fault.
  4. Safety: Some of the DIY anchors being used by 2TC enthusiasts are of questionable integrity.
  5. Comfort: Some 2TC climbers complain about strain on the one foot that is sustaining our body weight most of the time and particularly while advancing the upper tether.
  6. Large Diameter Trees: 2TC on large diameter trees presents multiple challenges:
    • The length of the tethers must be adjustable.
    • It is more difficult to advance a tether on a big tree.
    • Traditional systems which require “Hooking a leg” around the trunk is not feasible.
  7. Rough bark. Advancing a connection up a rough barked tree while maintaining a minimum of slack is difficult. That’s probably why we see so many demonstrations on poles or smooth trees.
  8. Lack of redundancy. JRB espouses redundancy for any adjustable or moveable (friction) component in the system. Most 2TC systems don’t consider this.
  9. Passing branches: In Traditional Systems, a 3rd tether is typically required. Regardless, the bypass requires that both tethers are removed and re-attached for each branch. The complexity of doing so varies based on the system details. It is sometimes hard to get one tether out from under the other one. Here’s a 2TC expert demonstrating how to bypass one branch in a “smart” system. Does this look easy?

Hitch Climbing Relationship

JRB’s Hitch Climbing Method has similarities to 2TC and (if desired), a Hitch Climbing system can be modified to use in a climb of this nature, while addresses the issues above. But overall, JRB prefers Hitch Climbing, especially considering that a Universal System allows us to hitch climb with the same system we use for other methods.

Hitch Climbing Method

Consider:

  1. If we imagine that the 2 tethers in a 2TC system were replaced by one longer rope, where each end acts as a tether, the system resembles a Hitch Climbing System.
  2. We could mimic the 2TC ascent technique using a Hitch Climbing system. (Not yet demonstrated on video.) Steps:
    • Attach both sides of the system to the tree, one anchor above the other.
    • Attach the main bridge of the saddle to the upper anchor.
    • Attach the lower bridge and Garda Footloop to the lower anchor.
    • Adjust bridges and friction hitches so that the anchors are separated by about 12″ (30cm).
    • Climb by alternating weight, stepping up and advancing the opposite tether.
    • Be prepared that bypassing branches is going to be tricky.