The JRB Cinch is an advanceable and retrievable anchor and an alternative to tying a knot, such as the Maverick Hitch. It is constructed with an aluminum rappel ring and carabiner. Note that although a JRB Cinch could be constructed with steel components, steel and aluminum components should not be mixed.
JRB urges all climbers to ensure that their saddle bridge is connected to an anchored lifeline, on minimal slack, and prepared for rappel, at all times. Using only a lineman’s belt is inadequate and dangerous. For a comparison of JRB’s preferred anchors, see:
Features
- Easy to set, unset and advance
- Can be advanced with one hand
- Can be advanced with the use of the Maverick pole
- Remotely Retrievable (requires effort)
- Can be used in SRT, Stick Climbing & JRB Hitch Climbing
- Can be reconstructed quickly (new w/2024 version)
Maverick Pole
The Maverick Pole is recommended for use with the JRB Cinch. It can be purchased at Ape Canyon Outfitters. See dedicated page:
Construction
The original (2022) design for the Cinch used a Buffalo Hitch (link at bottom of page). The JRB Cinch was redesigned 2024, using a Moose Hitch. Both behave the same way, but the 2024 version is much easier to build, remove and re-build, which may be necessary in trees which do not allow the cinch to pass through a crotch during retrieval.
As outlined in the JRB Cinch 2024 video above, besides your rope, there are 3 items needed to build the JRB Cinch:
Item 1: Ring: On 8mm ropes, a small or a large aluminum Rappel Ring works. On 9 mm and larger ropes, use a Large Rappel Ring. Ape Canyon’s product link is below; see Shopping List page if out of stock, or for other options.
Item 2: Carabiner. JRB prefers a D-style or pear shaped aluminum carabiner for the JRB Cinch so that it stays in place in the ring. This is the preferred carabiner.
For other choices, see the separate page for Carabiners.
Item 3: Cord. A 36″ length of utility cord (4 or 5mm is great), is used to create a tether which connects the carabiner to the rope. The finished tether should be about 15-16″ long.
Optional: JRB’s recommended method to minimize clinking sound when operating the JRB Cinch is to cut about 4″ of tubular webbing and slide it over the carabiner and secure it with tape. See the Shopping List page for product links.
Usage & Rope Length
The videos below covers setting, advancing, retrieval, system creation and creating JRB Cinch Systems. We want to avoid removing friction hitch(s) during retrieval and need enough rope to pull the Cinch down to within reach of our hands when we are on the ground. Use this formula to calculate how much rope is needed. Note that a thick tree diameter could affect consumption:
Length = (2 x Cinch Height) – 6′
These examples assume the cinch is set 6′ above the platform.
- Platform@17′, Cinch@23′: (23′ x 2) – 6′ = 40′
- Platform@22′, Cinch@28′: (28′ x 2) – 6′ = 50′
- Platform@27′, Cinch@33′: (33′ x 2) – 6′ = 60′
JRB uses 60′ in his JRB Cinch system and recommends at least 50′, considering that most saddle hunters don’t climb past 22′. 40′ will work most of the time, but it is best to be prepared for the worst-case retrieval scenario where the cinch gets stuck in the canopy.
The following video demonstrates how a system can be created with a JRB Cinch on each side, and a climb can be executed:
This video demonstrates how to navigate past branches when using the JRB Cinch with the Maverick Pole.
Retrieval Considerations
As demonstrated in the video above, we CAN attempt to use the Maverick Pole to retrieve a JRB Cinch, but we risk damaging the pole. Therefore, the climber must either accept the commitment to climb up to the cinch in order to retrieve it OR put the retrieval line on before advancing and setting it.
History
For historical reference, this is the introductory video from 2022: