Page Contents:
Introduction
Introduced in 2025, JRB recommends a system with 3 friction hitches. It is available as a kit from Ape Canyon Outfitters. Your JRB15 coupon code can be applied:
It is important that the user understands the system overview:
The user must construct the kit themselves:
Refer to the following playlist on YouTube for the evolution and specific scenarios. Three Hitch System Playlist:
Pre-requisite info
System description
The system uses 3 Longhorn Agile Hitches, which are tied identically and with the “Stable Finish”. 80″ of cord is called for in the kits. 13″ working ends are recommended to start the Longhorn Loop. See:
- Side 1 has a JRB End Loop, then a Longhorn Agile (LA#1), which holds / allows climbing towards the middle of the rope.
- In the middle of the rope is LA#2, holding in the opposite direction.
- The other end of the system is the side 2, with the sewn eye on the end, with LA#3, set to hold in the opposite direction as LA#2, (the same direction as LA#1), towards the RIGHT side of the rope.
Knots to know
Rope installation methods
Make sure you are familiar with the use of a throwball and the Maverick Pole to plan how you prefer to climb in a given situation. Both can be used with a Universal/Hybrid System. Practice these methods in an “easy” tree to get the hang of them before attempting in the woods. See page:
The Climbing Methods
Be familiar with the related climbing methods:
- DSRT (Doubled Stationary Rope Technique). This method is JRB’s preferred way to get in a tree, but the rope has to get put in the tree with either a throwball or a paracord preset rigged over a secure crotch. In some cases, we might Hitch Climb or stick climb the first time, and then manually install a paracord loop.
- SRT (Single Rope Technique). Like DSRT, SRT requires the use of a throwball or a paracord preset installed with a throwball, but there are a few situations where DSRT is not feasible where SRT is possible or advantageous. For example, there are branches between the strands or the trunk needs to be captured, or a Houdini Rigging scenario, all of which are described on the SRT page.
- JRB Hitch Climbing The use of the Maverick Pole is recommended.
- Stick Climbing. The use of the Maverick Pole is recommended.
- MRS/DRT – although we rarely need this method, it is supported.
Rope Length Options
These are the three length options in the kits offered by Ape Canyon Outfitters, along with an explanation of their features and limitations. Bottom line: longer is more versatile.
40′ Basic Rope System
This system is used with single rope methods only: Hitch Climbing, Stick Climbing and SRT. Limitations:
- When using a trunk anchor and assuming that the tree has branches, the last anchor put on the tree (used for retrieval) must be a Maverick Hitch, Super Maverick Hitch or JRB Hitch. Any other retrievable anchor would require us to remove our hitches from the rope.
- Unless the crotch is only 20′, it’s too short to use for DSRT, therefore, the advantages of DSRT will typically not be realized.
- Too short to use for Basal Anchor SRT scenarios.
- Max crotch height for SRT (without removing hitches) is approximately 32′.
- Max crotch height for SRT (when using Quick Link) is approximately 38′.
60′ Hybrid Rope System
This system can also be used in DSRT mode for trees with a crotch height of 30′ or less. Unlike the 40′ system, when Hitch or Stick Climbing, the system is long enough to use any retrievable anchor we prefer and not require removing the friction hitches. Limitations:
- Need to switch over to SRT for crotches over 30′.
- Basal anchor SRT is only possible if the crotch is low (max crotch height depends on diameter)
- Max crotch height for SRT (without removing hitches) is approximately 52′.
- Max crotch height for SRT (when using Quick Link) is approximately 58′.
80′ Universal Rope System
This system can be used in DSRT mode for trees with a crotch height of 40′ or less. It can be used for Basal Anchor SRT scenarios in crotches of a more reasonable height. Limitations:
- Need to switch over to SRT for crotches over 40′.
Kit Contents
- 9mm Rubicon ROPE (40′, 60′ or 80′). Rope will include one sewn eye.
- One steel quick link.
- Five Lengths of 80″ 6mm TRC cord (3 for LA hitches; 1 for short bridge, 1 spare)
- One length of 4mm cord (Retrieval line, 50′, cut to appropriate size by user)
- One 4′ length of 2.5 mm cord. (for optional JRB end loops)
- Three Notch HMS Carabiners (one for each bridge, 3rd is only used in alternating anchor methods)
- Three Black Raider Carabiners (Two for anchor creation, and one spare.)
- Two Micro Raider Carabiners. (connects rope to the throwball / preset)
Items sold separately
The following items are not included in the kits and are sold separately. See supporting pages, links below.
- Saddle, and accessories. Rationale: most saddle hunters already have one.
- Garda Hitch kit, NEEDED but sold separately. Rationale for not including: some may have one and it’s easy to buy them both separately.
- One or both of these is required and purchased separately:
- Maverick Pole, sold separately. Rationale: not everybody will use a pole and some will prefer a DIY pole.
- Throwball, sold separately. Rationale: not everybody will be using throwball based methods.
- Swivel, for bridge carabiner. Rationale: it’s optional, primarily benefits DSRT.
- Main Bridge upgrade. Rationale: Every saddle already has a bridge and it’s assumed to be adequately long and adjustable. Saddles do not have a 2nd, so that is included.
- Paracord, for preset loops.
System Usage Details
The system can be run without removing any friction hitches unless one of these conditions exists:
- Can’t get a rope end with a friction hitch thru the crotch.
- A hitch is not needed for the method being used. For example, hitch climbing does not used Hitch 1, which can be in the way.
- The hitch needs to be inspected or retied.
How the hitches are used
Consider these scenarios:
- For DSRT in either the Hybrid or Universal system, the LEFT side with LA1 goes up on the right side of the tree and comes down the left side of the tree. LA2 is waiting for us on the RIGHT side of the system, and we use LA 1&2 to climb. LA3 is not used to climb, but can be used as:
- a tether to pull us in if our crotch is really high.
- if we want to reposition to face a different direction.
- if we want to DSRT to a crotch and then use a pole to climb one move past the crotch. (climb past the branch)
- Any time on any system that we need to SRT, we send LA1 up and over the crotch. We just need to thread it through a loop knot on the way down. Consider reasons like:
- A Horizontal branch/crotch, where we need a canopy anchor to capture the trunk.
- The 3 basal anchor scenarios: non-isolated crotch with branches between the lines, a position advantage, or risk of getting a throwball stuck on a rethrow.
- If it doesn’t pass – or for anybody who prefers to remove and re-tie LA1 every climb, that’s a straightforward procedure. Also, removing the hitch gives us more choices of canopy anchors AND an easier job rigging the rope because we don’t need to ‘thread the needle’ as in #2.
- When hitch climbing or no-slack stick climbing, we use LA2 and LA3. LA1 is not used. It just stays on the end of the rope on the tail of our Maverick and is unused. If somebody is an exclusive hitch climber, or its presence bothers us, LA1 can be removed.
- On any system, when executing a Houdini rig, we push all the hitches to the left side, send up the right side, and climb on LA3. (Note that this was edited because it was described incorrectly originally)
- The main differences between the Hybrid System and the Universal system are:
- The Hybrid system has to be converted into SRT mode every time we need to rig into a crotch between (roughly) 30 and 40 ft. The Universal system only needs to switch to SRT if the crotch is higher, and that is rare.
- When we have a non-isolated crotch with branches between the lines and need to execute a basal anchor SRT, the 80ft of rope is going to get us in a lot more trees than 60. Don’t forget that tying a basal anchor consumes a good deal of rope.
Anchors
There are several options for SRT canopy anchor, or trunk anchors but they work with any kit. The JRB Cinch is NOT included because according to a survey in the Facebook group, about 90% prefer the Maverick over the JRB Cinch, thus there is no JRB Cinch Kit proposed at this time. The information to construct that system is covered on the JRB Cinch System page.
- Maverick hitch
- Running JRB Bowline
- Toggled JRB Bowline
- Saddle Hunter’s Hitch
Kit/Scenario Matrix
Below are a set of climbing scenarios and what technique we would use with each system. Abbreviations:
- TB = Throwball OR Paracord preset
- IC = Isolated Crotch, meaning there are no branches between the lines
- Non-IC = a Non isolated crotch has branches between the lines
- CA = Canopy Anchor
- BA = Basal Anchor
| Scenario | Basic-40 | Hybrid-60 | Universal-80 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TB, IC, up to 29′ | CA SRT | DSRT | DSRT |
| TB, IC, 30-39′ | CA SRT | CA SRT | DSRT |
| TB, IC, 40′-59′ | —- | CA SRT | CA SRT |
| TB, IC, 60′-75′ | —- | —- | CA SRT |
| TB, non-IC, up to 25′ | —- | BA SRT | BA SRT |
| TB, non-IC, up to 35′ | —- | —- | BA SRT |
| TB, IC, Horizontal Branch | CA SRT | CA SRT | CA SRT |
| TB, 1st Dead Branch | Houdini SRT | Houdini SRT | Houdini SRT |
| Floating Anchor | SRT | SRT | SRT |
| No TB, No Stick | Hitch Climbing | Hitch Climbing | Hitch Climbing |
| No TB, Stick | Stick Climbing | Stick Climbing | Stick Climbing |
The Phases
After your planning and shopping is complete, consider the task of building and using system as a set of phases:
Phase 1: Build it
- Saddle setup. Install your redundant bridge as described above, ensuring you have a recommended carabiner on each bridge.
- Execute the Garda Hitch Footloop construction.
- As per the vide above, drape the rope over a limb or rafter and tie a Longhorn Agile hitch on each side, which naturally hold in opposite directions, allowing climbing towards the middle of the rope (not the ends).
- The rope can be rigged into a tree by attaching the rigging line to one of the friction hitches. (video below)
- Climb DSRT
Phase 2: Try DSRT
See the linked page for details on the DSRT method. This step can be skipped if using a Basic, 40′ system.
Phase 3: Try SRT
See the SRT page for related scenarios.
Phase 4: Try Hitch / Stick Climbing
It is important to understand why and how a 3rd Friction Hitch and a Pole can benefit us, even if Hitch climbing is not of interest. We can use it to transition into a single rope system, either to reposition at our current height, or to adjust our height, to get over the branch we are tied to.
- Ensure that you are familiar with the use of the Maverick Hitch and Maverick Pole.
- Ensure that you have an extra carabiner, as we need two on the main bridge as we alternate anchors.
- Refer to the pages on these methods for all the details.
Other capabilities
The following video shows how we can reposition on the tree:
History
For reference, the original version of JRB’s “universal” system was released in 2023 and evolved from a 6 hitch to a 4 hitch to a 3 hitch system. Universal System Playlist: