Page Contents:
Overview
The Two Tether Climbing Method (2TC) is a (still evolving) climbing method pioneered by DIY innovators in the Saddle Community. There are a growing number of variations and demonstrations that can be found on YouTube. As implied by the name, the method consists of 2 tethers. The lower tether has a stirrup for one foot. In some systems, it is also connected to the saddle. The upper tether is connected to the saddle bridge. In some systems, it also has a foot stirrup.
- In order to ascend, the climber alternates body load on each tether while advancing the opposite tether, without detaching them from the tree.
- In order to pass branches, a 3rd tether might be used, however, the practitioners still refer to it as a 2TC system. In order to descend, the climber either reverses the process, or rappels.
Scott is a pioneer in 2TC, and is (apparently) the originator of the “Two Tether Climbing” name, coined back in 2019.
Here is a random demo found on the web which includes rappel:
Safety
The information on the safety page is prerequisite knowledge.
2TC Variants
There are multiple types of 2TC systems, with variations in:
- The trunk anchor used.
- Fixed vs adjustable length tethers.
- Foot loops/stirrups one one tether or both.
- The use of mechanical devices vs friction hitches.
- Tether connection to the saddle, the foot, or both.
- Some employ the use of a 3rd tether in order to bypass branches when climbing a branched tree.
- Descent method (rappel vs reversing the ascent process)
We don’t necessarily have names for every variation of a 2TC system and therefore, JRB is suggesting the the following terms to make 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 and the lower tether attaches to a stirrup / footloop only.
- Smart 2TC System: The upper tether attaches to the saddle and the lower tether attaches to BOTH a stirrup / footloop AND the saddle.
Benefits and Concerns
This page documents JRB’s evaluation of 2TC. If you disagree, or have points that should be considered, please leave a comment on the Comments page with specifics.
Benefits
- 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.
- Low profile/ bulk; requires a minimal amount of gear.
- Inexpensive.
Concerns
- Advancing a life safety anchor: Traditional 2TC systems involve advancing the anchor connected to our saddle as we climb, and lowering it as we descend. During movement of an anchor, we are not anchored, and this violates a basic safety principle: always have our body anchored to (or supported by) the tree. It doesn’t matter that our foot is anchored; we can still lose balance.
- Lack of line to ground: The climber does not have a line to ground at all times and can’t quickly rappel, which is a fundamental safety requirement. Ask any arborist. For example, we could be swarmed by hornets disturbed during the climb.
- Balance: In traditional 2TC systems, the climber has all their weight on the lower tether and remains balanced by “hooking a leg” while advancing the upper tether (difficult on large diameter trees). During this move, the climber’s body is not anchored to the tree. If the climber loses balance while advancing the upper tether, there is no guarantee where or if the upper tether will catch. We could wind up in an uncomfortable position where our foot is stuck in our leg loop and we don’t have the strength to recover.
- Hands: Hand injury is possible if fingers are caught under the tether during a loss of balance.
- Comfort: 2TC climbers frequently complain about strain on the foot that is sustaining our body weight most of the time and particularly while advancing the upper tether.
- 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 the tethers.
- More difficult to remain balanced. Systems which require “hooking a leg” around the trunk are not feasible.
- Rough bark. Advancing a connection up a rough barked tree while maintaining a minimum of slack is difficult.
- Lack of redundancy. JRB espouses redundancy for any adjustable or moveable (friction) component in the system. Most 2TC systems don’t consider this.
- Descent. Using 2TC to descend, particularly in dark conditions can be difficult and dangerous. It’s easy to accidentally step down too low and get in a position where our foot is stuck. Some 2TC enthusiasts carry a separate rappel rope. But if we have a separate rope, JRB suggests that we could simply use it to use the hitch climbing method.
- Passing branches: We need to disconnect both tether anchors in order to pass each branch. In Traditional 2TC Systems, we need a temporary 3rd tether to put above the branch (so that we can stay tied in the whole time).
Hitch Climbing Relationship
JRB’s Hitch Climbing Method has similarities to 2TC, it addresses the concerns 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.
Consider:
- 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.
- We can mimic the 2TC ascent technique using a Hitch Climbing system. 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.