Page Contents:

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Overview

This page compares anchors that are affixed on the tree trunk, and potentially advanced with a pole as we climb. These anchors are often referred to as:

• Choking Anchors
• Cinching Anchors
• Spar Anchors

Canopy anchors are covered here:

Floating Anchor is covered here:

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Attributes

Trunk anchors primarily sustain a lengthwise pull (along the direction of the trunk), but as the climber approaches the anchor while climbing, an orthogonal pull component increases. Bottom line: a trunk anchor must be strong and must hold well in all directions.

A trunk anchor should be “choking” or “cinching” such that it can be set and remain in a horizontal position with minimal sag.

A trunk anchor must be stable and not easily destabilized, even in normal activities like unloading it when we transition from a sit to a stand (cyclic loading), or even when whipping on the slack rope in an attempt to destabilize it.

Running Loop is Inadequate

Most conventional tethers using a “running loop” (which most folks mistakenly refer to as a Girth Hitch). JRB does not recommend this because it lacks stability. Adding any kind of link to the end just makes the system even easier to destabilize. It would be best to transform that Running Loop into a Pocono Hitch (described below).

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Basal Anchors

Basal anchors are those placed on the base of the tree, with the rope routed up an over a sturdy crotch, enabling a climber to execute SRT on the other end of the rope. Basal anchors applications match the description above and are included in the considerations below. However, because the trunk of the tree is typically tapered at the base, JRB recommends that all trunk anchors have at least two wraps around the trunk rather than one.

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Anchors vs Applications

JRB uses and recommends the following 5 trunk anchors, detailed below:

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

The table contrasts the performance vs nine features:

1. Setting = Complexity to create
2. Man Adv = Manually Advance Anchor
3. Pole Adv = Can Advance with a Pole
4. Pole Rem = Can Remove with a Pole
5. Rem Ret = Remote Retrieval (after rappel)
6. Noise = Potential for noise when advancing
7. Rope = Amount of rope required to create
8. Branches = Navigate branches with a pole
9. Basal = Basal anchor for SRT

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	Most	Low	Low	Some
Rope	Med	Min	Most	Most	Min
Branches	Fair	Good	Can’t	Can’t	Can’t
Basal	Use 2 wraps	Use 2 wraps	Yes	No	Use 2 wraps

Note: SHH is not recommended as a basal anchor at this time simply because it has not had enough testing.

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The Anchors

Maverick Hitch (MAV)

The Maverick Hitch is the most versatile all-around anchor in our toolbox given that it can be used as both a trunk anchor and a running canopy anchor. The Maverick is JRB’s preferred anchor for climbing methods that involve advancing an anchor up the trunk, including JRB Hitch Climbing and Stick Climbing. It can be advanced manually or with a pole. 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. See dedicated page:

The Houdini Maverick technique is useful in SRT scenarios where the first branch in the tree can be used to get a throwball into, but is not trustworthy for a climb. See:

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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:

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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).

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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. Note: The SHH has not been adequately tested for it to be recommended for basal anchor applications.

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Pocono Hitch (POC)

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).

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Other options

The following video was made before the Maverick Hitch and Pocono hitches were released, however, it still provides relevant background and covers some other more basic options.