This page compares anchor knots that are manually tied 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 when slack 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. A Lineman’s belt does not cinch at all. JRB uses and recommends the following trunk anchors:
- Maverick Hitch (MAV)
- JRB Cinch (JRBC)
- JRB Hitch (JRBH)
- Saddle Hunter’s Hitch (SHH)
- 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 | Can’t | Diff | Easy |
| Pole Rem | Easy | Diff | N/A | Med | Med |
| Rem Ret | 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 Anch | use 2 wraps | use 2 wraps | Best | No | No |
Background
The following video was made before the Maverick Hitch was released, however, it still provides relevant background:
The Anchors
1. 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.
2. 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:
3. 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).
4. 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.
5. 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).