Page Contents:

---

Introduction

This page compares anchors that are affixed on the tree trunk, and potentially advanced with a pole as we climb. Canopy anchors are covered on the SRT page. Floating Anchor, False Crotch and Houdini Maverick are covered on the Throwball & Rope Rigging Page:

A trunk anchor should be “choking” or “cinching” such that it is not easily destabilized, even in normal activities like unloading it when we transition from a sit to a stand (or during cyclic loading). A conventional tether using a “running loop” (which most folks mistakenly refer to as a Girth Hitch) cinches but is easily destabilized. We don’t need a sewn eye or a quick link either, as the resulting system is even more unstable. JRB uses and recommends the following trunk anchors:

1. Maverick Hitch (MAV)
2. JRB Cinch (JRBC)
3. JRB Hitch (JRBH)
4. Saddle Hunter’s Hitch (SHH)
5. Pocono Hitch

---

Feature Comparison

The following table compares the relative performance of various features. Abbreviations used in the table:

• Basal Anch = Basal anchor for SRT
• Branches = Navigate branches with a pole
• Diff = Difficult
• Man Adv = Manually Advance Anchor
• Med = Medium
• Min = Minimal
• Pole Adv = Can Advance with a Pole
• Pole Rem = Can Remove with a Pole
• Rem Ret = Remote Retrieval (after rappel)
• Rope Reqd = Amount of rope required to create

Feature vs Anchor	MAV	JRBC	JRBH	SHH	POC
Setting	Med	Easy	Med	Easy	Easy
Man Adv	Easy	Easy	Diff	Med	Easy
Pole Adv	Easy	Easy	No	Diff	Easy
Pole Rem	Easy	Diff	No	Med	Med
Rem Retr	Easy	Diff	Easy	Med	Diff
Noise	Low	Some	Low	Low	Some
Rope Reqd	Med	Min	Most	Most	Min
Branches	Fair	Good	Can’t	Can’t	Can’t
Basal Anchor	Use 2 wraps	Use 2 wraps	Best	No	No

---

Perspective

The following video was made before the Maverick Hitch was released, however, it still provides relevant background:

---

The Anchors

Maverick Hitch (MAV)

This is JRB’s preferred anchor for climbing methods that involve advancing an anchor up the trunk, including JRB Hitch Climbing and Stick Climbing. This is the most versatile solution given that it can be advanced above us with a pole, or pulled up using the Houdini rigging. Unlike the JRB Hitch which fully explodes off the tree, the Maverick leaves a strand of rope around the tree after it is released and will not drop to the ground if there are branches. Therefore, the climber must ensure that there is nothing on the end of the rope that would cause it to get hung up as we pull it down. If the Maverick Hitch is being used as a basal anchor, the rope should be wrapped around the trunk twice and securely cinched in a horizontal fashion.

---

JRB Cinch (JRBC)

Specifically designed for climbers who are not comfortable tying knots at the climbing site, and used in methods like JRB Hitch Climbing and Stick Climbing, the JRB Cinch is an alternative to the Maverick. Advantages: Given that it does not need to be tied at the climbing site, it is easier to affix. It is also easier to use when navigating branches. It is easier to remove the Maverick Pole from a Cinch than a Maverick. Disadvantages: Metal on metal noise is possible if the pole contacts the ring or carabiner. Retrieval requires more effort and has more complexity, sometimes requiring a JRB Cinch to be removed from the rope, requiring reconstruction before the next climb. Building a double sided system requires slightly more rope than Maverick Systems. If the Maverick Hitch is being used as a basal anchor, the rope should be wrapped around the tree twice and securely cinched in a horizontal fashion. The JRB Cinch (and video links) are detailed on a dedicated page:

---

JRB Hitch (JRBH)

The JRB Hitch has to be manually set and cannot be advanced with a pole. However, it’s the easiest anchor for remote retrieval because it explodes off the tree, leaving no strand around the tree. JRB prefers it for a Basal Anchor when executing SRT in certain situations. JRB also prefers it as a Rappel anchor if setting a rappel line manually at the top of a climb (and there is not already a Maverick or JRB Cinch in place, or there would be difficulty retrieving it).

---

Saddle Hunter’s Hitch (SHH)

The Saddle Hunter’s Hitch is the best option when setting the anchor manually and wanting it to be as high up on the trunk as possible. JRB uses it when a pole is not available, or for temporary applications where the hitch is manually removed. It is also EEL (either end loadable) and valuable in certain rigging and rescue scenarios. Some hunters use the EEL feature to hang a backpack from the unused side. Even though there is a remote retrieval variant published, JRB does not prefer the SHH in those scenarios, with preference for one of the options above. The SHH is not the best choice for a basal anchor given that it can’t be seen by the climber and therefore cannot be monitored for potential changes/loosening after cyclic loading.

---

Pocono Hitch

If you have a conventional tether with a sewn end loop or any rope with a secure loop at the end, adding a carabiner and creating a Pocono hitch allows us to secure it to the tree WITHOUT running the entire line through the loop AND with a more stable choke on the tree. Note that the carabiner does not need to be attached to the rope as shown in this video. (The Pocono Hitch was introduced by our friend Jon at ArcheryElite).

---