JRB is an advocate of having 2 bridges on your saddle, specifically, a long bridge for comfort, and a short bridge for backup and for rappel. Bridges can be of fixed length or adjustable length. In self-rescue scenarios, regardless of the climbing method, any climber could find themselves in a situation where a 2nd bridge will get us out of a jam.
A bridge which of fixed length won’t have any possible failure modes associated with the adjustment mechanism. A bridge which is adjustable is handy in these situations: 1) Making our long bridge as long as possible will minimize the squeezing effect of a saddle and the ‘hip pinch’ associated with it. 2) Making our short bridge as short as possible is of benefit in JRB Hitch Climbing (and Stick Climbing, eliminating need for a lineman’s belt to hold our position between moves.
Components
Depending on the design chosen, the components for building a bridge can be found on these pages:
Bridge Designs
Below are several Bridge designs and concepts introduced by JRB:
1. Double Adjustable Bridge
This is the newest design (2023) and the one that JRB uses currently. All the details are in the video. Use a length of rope that is approximately double your height (approximately 12 feet), and two 6 foot lengths of cord.
2. Non-mechanical, adjustable bridge, using Blakes Hitch
In 2022, JRB introduced this design, using, 9 ft or 108 in or 274 cm of 7mm cord to construct it. In practice, most climbers keep one bridge shorter than the other and the short one is constructed with 7ft (213 cm). 24″ (61cm) is used as the working end when starting the Blakes Hitch.
3. Simple Redundant Bridge Options
In this video, JRB outlines 10 “devices” that can be used to construct a redundant / backup bridge and how to vary the configuration to suit the need and change the length.
4. The Original Redundant Bridge
This video shows JRB’s initial concept for a simple, non-adjustable, 2nd (short) bridge. The design uses 4 ft (122 cm) of cord, closed into a fixed loop with a hunters bend, capturing both bridge loops. The Hunter’s Bend can be untied and adjusted as necessary so as to ensure that the short bridge is adequately shorter than the long bridge. If a more secure bend is desired, consider using 6 ft (183 cm) and a sliding triple fisherman’s bend (video available), and consider a carabiner on the end, ensuring it is removeable and can be untied. Get the length set, then trim the ends as appropriate.
5. Impromptu / Removable Loop Bridge
As described in the #3, a 24 inch (60cm) sling (runner) with a girth hitch on one bridge loop and a carabiner on the other makes a solid Bridge for impromptu or emergency use. The concept was also demonstrated in the following video: Self Rescue After Loss of Footing