All About My LANYARD for Tree Climbing for ARBORISTS & Recreational Climbers!

In this episode, I will discuss and demonstrate my lanyard system and show how I store and manage excess slack.
Calligraphy Hitch "How To Tie" Videos...
Short Form: • Learn to Tie a New Fri...
Long Form: • CALLIGRAPHY Friction H...
Daisy Chain "How To Tie" Video...
Long Form: • DAISY CHAIN/CHAIN SINN...
Gladiator Stopper Knot...
Long Form: • GLADIATOR & CLOVER Sto...
CONTACT: I can be reached at [e-mail]! If you have questions, or concerns about anything whatsoever regarding myself or my content/videos, or ideas for new content/videos for my channel, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email. I am always more than willing to answer questions and/or provide suggestions and/or direction and in depth explanations to anyone, about anything regarding knots, tree climbing, gear, methods/techniques, terminology, mechanical advantage (pulley systems), friction hitches and hitch cords, creating/developing/testing new knots and hitches, advice and recommendations, safety data and procedures/PPE, reviews on gear/equipment/hardware based off of my personal experiences with a lot of different items, and so on and so forth, etc.
SPONSORS/GEAR COMPANIES/ADVERTISERS/BRAND DEALS: Please kindly reach out to me at my email address, which is as follows: [e-mail] I am more than willing to honestly, fairly and scientifically review gear of any kind, such as mechanical devices, hitch/tech cords, eye to eye prusiks/prusik loops/split tails, tools, hardware (pulleys, carabiners, rings, etc.), ropes, accessory cord, boots, gloves, helmets, and quite literally anything related to tree climbing whatsoever.

[@Knot-orious]

CONTACT: I can be reached at [e-mail]! If you have questions, or concerns about anything whatsoever regarding myself or my content/videos, or ideas for new content/videos for my channel, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email. I am always more than willing to answer questions and/or provide suggestions and/or direction and in depth explanations to anyone, about anything regarding knots, tree climbing, gear, methods/techniques, terminology, mechanical advantage (pulley systems), friction hitches and hitch cords, creating/developing/testing new knots and hitches, advice and recommendations, safety data and procedures/PPE, reviews on gear/equipment/hardware based off of my personal experiences with a lot of different items, and so on and so forth, etc. SPONSORS/GEAR COMPANIES/ADVERTISERS/BRAND DEALS: Please kindly reach out to me at my email address, which is as follows: [e-mail] I am more than willing to honestly, fairly and scientifically review gear of any kind, such as mechanical devices, hitch/tech cords, eye to eye prusiks/prusik loops/split tails, tools, hardware (pulleys, carabiners, rings, etc.), ropes, accessory cord, boots, gloves, helmets, and quite literally anything related to tree climbing whatsoever.

[@daveoseas]

Love that you use calligraphy hitch. Its become my go to... i reckon you are doing an awesome job of explaining

[@Knot-orious]

The Calligraphy hitch is my number one go-to as well. It's just so easy to tie and works phenomenally well!

[@daveoseas]

Wonderful explanation

[@Knot-orious]

Thank you! I really appreciate it! =-D

[@antonshekhovtsov8851]

I recently incorporated a sticht hitch for my lanyard. So far I think it is flawless. I use the lanyard in all possible ways, not just to secure myself but also to asend and descend short distance.

[@Knot-orious]

The Sticht hitch is excellent. I have made several videos about that hitch on my channel. Although I didn't mention it in my video, I do also use my lanyards as part of either an SRS or MRS climbing system to aid with positioning, and as a secondary line. Thanks for your comment.

[@Haskintreecare]

Thank you for your videos

[@Knot-orious]

You're very welcome! If you ever have any questions about tree climbing, gear, ropes, techniques, knots, friction hitches, etc., you can always ask me anytime in a comment or, if you'd prefer, privately, through my personal email address for the channel: [e-mail] Thank you for your comment! I really appreciate it!

[@j-jlevy]

Very well done. Geared more towards the beginners. But well done. Slow and easy to understand.

[@Knot-orious]

One of my most popular videos of all time is one I made discussing my lanyard setup from over a year ago. This is my best effort to build on that video, to improve upon it substantially, to increase the video/editing quality, and to include much more factual information. Yes, it is definitely for the beginner. I do my best to make content for every level of tree climber! Glad you enjoyed this video! Thanks for the kind words! =-D

[@j-jlevy]

Yes of course, on your side

[@TreeguyRyan]

Great video man.

[@Knot-orious]

Thank you so much! I'm really glad you liked it! Lanyards are hugely important in tree climbing, and I had been meaning to make a video like this one for awhile now. =-D

[@videoaustralia]

I definitely prefer this type of set up. I use a VT on an ISC pulley instead of the full hitch climber pulley you've got. Just a little more compact. Also use a Petzl Eashook on the end of the lanyard instead an Ultra O, much easier to remove and clips on even easier.

[@Knot-orious]

Very nice! Yes, this has been my go-to lanyard style since the very beginning, over five years ago. I've tried a few mechanicals, but they honestly didn't excite me as much, or even work as well, as using a friction hitch and a pulley. As for me using the Ultra O for my carabiners on my lanyard, it definitely would be somewhat easier if I were to be using something like a snap with the more ergonomic and efficient opening method(s). But for now, and for a long time, I have become very used to quickly, easily, and consistently being able to open my tDMM oval Ultra O's and their triple action gate that is not as ergonomic as with a snap. I really don't have any problems whatsoever. You get really used to it and don't even think about.

[@juanmazapan9044]

Exelent ,by the way what harnes it it?i like it want one,thanks

[@Knot-orious]

My harness is the TreeMotion Essential made by Teufelberger. They also make a stripped down, lighter version called the TreeMotion Super Light, as well as a more premium version with more padding called the TreeMotion Pro. The Essential costs more than the S. Light, but less than the Pro. Whichever one you end up getting, your going to absolutely love it! They are easily the best tree climbing harnesses on the market.

[@daveoseas]

I tanned cow hide, bought rated rings, made my own harness. It's based on Matt Cornells rope and ring harness. It's heavy, comfortable with home made shoulder harness (AND hard to get into)

[@justinjones9255]

How long is you RIT hitch cord?

[@Knot-orious]

I have a few RIT with sewn eyes, but the length shown on my lanyard in this video is either a 30" or a 32". For the friction hitch I have shown tied around the rope, which is the Calligraphy hitch (one of my oldest and best hitches), the ideal length for an eye to eye is 30". I don't own a single 28" eye to eye. They simply aren't long enough for many of the hitches I like to use, unless it were to be made using an 8mm hitch cord.

[@gooberdooberwunderb]

What do you think is the best length for eye to eye friction hitch cord? 32” ?

[@Knot-orious]

It really depends on which friction hitches you plan on using and what diameter rope you'll be using it on. If you can give me answers to those questions, I can better direct you to the proper length for an eye to eye. Also, will you be using it with a rope wrench or with a lanyard?

[@gooberdooberwunderb]

I’m such a beginner I’m still just practicing all the different hitches… I found that my 25 inch was not enough to do some of the cooler hitches… I guess I would be using the mostly for ascending rope… Perhaps jumarimg .. or safety’s on a rappel .. idk 🤷‍♂️

[@Knot-orious]

Are you a rock climber? An alpinist? Or are you trying to learn how to tree climb? 25" is way too short for the vast majority of hitches on my channel! If you want to have a lot of options and room for testing out a variety of different friction hitches, as a beginner, I would suggest just getting a 32" eye to eye hitch cord with sewn or spliced eyes! If your rope diameter is between 10-11", then your best bet is to get an 8mm hitch cord. Do you live in the US? I would suggest something like the Yale Veritas from TreeStuff.com or the 8mm or the Yale Bee-Line 8mm! Another great cord is the Teufelberger HRC 8mm or the Teufelberger Ocean 8mm! If you want even more flexibility, you could simply buy a 6 foot length of one of the 8mm cords mentioned above and then just tie any hitch you want (this will allow you to tie 90% of hitches on my channel) and then tie Poacher's loops at the end of each leg to form eyes, creating an eye to eye! Here's an old video showing how to make an eye to eye out of a length of hitch cord: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4axc2B_Yr6AZ5I

[@Knot-orious]

Wesspur.com sells a ton of hitch cords by the foot or as sewn or spliced eye to eyes. You just tell them what you want and they'll make it.

[@gooberdooberwunderb]

@@Knot-orious will do!! Thanks for the advice and thank you for your awesome videos!!

[@user-ld1ew2jg6r]

Daisy chain is Siberian hitch

[@Knot-orious]

You're thinking of the Daisy Chain HITCH. A regular Daisy Chain begins using a normal, run of the mill slipknot as shown in my video. Here's is a video by TreeMuggs (who used to be called Educated Climber) that exemplifies and demonstrates the Daisy Chain hitch and uses that name (there are others if you search the terms "Daisy Chain and Siberian Hitch." kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4aoiX1spZqqetE

[@Sethhaun78]

Love hitchclimber...best pulleys..pintos are ok but are better for anchors and rigging..hitchclimber rig is even betteemr ..hitchclimber is 30kn..in any direction ..taylor hamel verifys this...

[@Knot-orious]

In this comment, I'm both addressing and responding to your comment, but I am also going on a long tangent that is intended to help anyone who is new to climbing and this lanyard system to understand exactly why the Hitchclimber pulley is unparalled by any other slack tending option for any lanyard. I agree with you completely. The Hitchclimber pulley is, hands down, the best slack tending pulley for a lanyard! Why? Well, it's for a lot of reason. For one, they are very strong (30kN) (like you mentioned (they also match the rigging version of this pulley which has an optional becket, and fourth attachment slot, below the pulley sheave; this pulley, I believe is something like 45-50kN, but don't quote me on hat. Tried looking it up, but very few places sell it), they are extremely well made with premium hardware swing plates, three separate/rated attachment slots, high efficiency pre-lubricated bronze bushings which allow the sheave to rotate effortlessly (70% efficiency); you can also buy the Hitchclimber Rapide, which has a roller bearing sheave instead, which is 90% efficient. Since I only need one connection slot when I use a Hitchclimber on my lanyard, I am able to use them in a variety of interesting, helpful ways which provide me with more options for how I am able to create good positioning and balance. I will often connect my lanyard to my bridge ring and then use it with a prusik loop to build a second SRS system that is great for creating a safer, more redundant climbing method. I can also use it, with one of my longer lanyards (>/= 25 feet) as a doubled rope/moving rope (DRT/MRS) system by doubling my lanyard into a ring or pulley attached to a sling wrapped around a life supporting limb, or by simply doubling your rope over a dead, life supporting limb (doing this to live trees is frowned upon because it damages the cambium layer of the tree, exposing it to diseases and insects), or use a good old fashioned friction saver. Take the terminal end of your lanyard that you just doubled over and connect it to the forward-most connection slow on your hitch climber pulley. If you are using a hitch, tied with a hitch cord, on your lanyard like shown in this video, when used as an DRT/MRS climbing system, it is known as the Hitchclimber method, which was created and developed by the Reemagineers. Now I'm going to explain why using a friciton hitch is superior the mechanical devices...Ha! I'm just kidding! I'll shut up now! =-D

[@Sethhaun78]

@@Knot-orious unless your useing the other newer hitch climbers for rigging bearings make no difference...just more cash ...but I love them. Have 5 or so..and pinto rig and red...I mainly use rings for tree jobs..and also have several 3/4 inch blocks ..I use 3/4 because I can use any size ropes in them my slings and ultra slings are all 3/4 I have 200ft Samson 3/4 rigging rope 200ft, and 9/16 150ft..and 5/8 pelican stable braid rigging rope..my climb lines are 12 strand forestry pro for rigging and climbing natural crotch..half inch....and blue moon 200ft.150ft,poison ivy 120ft...yale focus wesspur 200ft....and petzl flow 11.6 148 ft...have 20ft blue moon double sewen eye lanyard,5/8 wire core flipp line and others I use 9.3 epicord and hrc cord with hitchclimber and arbsession caralink short tether....and have unicender, zigzag, hitchhiker xf ..akimbo..xctra

[@KKielanowek]

Hi. While talking that sewed eyes are better: why do you care that using knots lowers rope strenght? With 11 mm rope you have probably around 30 kN, so with knots about 15 kN. I suppose it is still about 10 times more than your lanyard will ever mess with. Then I think the weakest point of the lanyard is still the prusik cord. Anyway, nice video, good luck!

[@Knot-orious]

I realize that using a knot is in no way dangerous despite weakening the rope by 50%. The point I was making was simply that, by using a sewn eye, you retain basically the full strength of the rope. It's not a question of whethe or not I care. It was me simply stating an interesting fact for the viewers. Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for commenting!

[@videoaustralia]

'Why do you care that using knots lowers rope strength?' I'm assuming it's because he values his life. Why would you not go for the strongest possible set up, when your life depends on it?

[@Knot-orious]

@@videoaustralia I have no issue with people using knots, but yeah, as you mentioned, I do value my life and my sewn loop gives me peace of mind, as well as making it easier to assemble my lanyard because I do not have to tie any knots. It's a matter of convenience and, again, as you aptly stated, a matter of choosing the highest strength lanyard option possible. Thanks for your comment.

[@Knot-orious]

Also, @KKielanowek, the prusik cord, believe it or not, is not the weak point. Even if you're using an 8mm hitch cord, which is one of the smallest options, an eye to eye hitch cord is in BASKET CONFIGURATION, meaning that this 8mm hitch cord has the strength of a 16mm rope, which, if you're using a 10-13mm rope for your lanyard, is much stronger than your lanyard. Additionally, when forces are applied to a hitch, it will SLIP DOWN THE LENGTH OF THE ROPE/LANYARD until the force dissipates, and the hitch grabs again. Mechanical devices which, if serious amoutns of force are applied to the climber, might sever the rope and/or weaken it by placing a strong bend/sharp bend radius into the rope. Hitches, on the other hand, as just mentioned, will slip before they ever break, dissipating the forces applied to it, eliminating the chance of catastrophic failure. By slipping, the hitch will act as a shock absorber to some extent, which can reduce the severity of a fall. Mechanical devices will lock up immediately, and, as a result, cause a climber to experience serious amoutns of shock during a fall, by comparison. Hitches are both extremely strong and much more safe than other options. I just needed to clarify that with you! =-D

[@KKielanowek]

@@videoaustralia Every climber use knots, so they don't value their lives? As I said, rope with knots have still margin of safety much higher tahn 1:10 which is assumed as safe for human equipment. I'm just curious, why someone would consider knots as unsafe.

[@Sethhaun78]

Aireal.travler has best rec climbing setups ,lanyards..he has information on setups ..like his approach as wwll

[@Knot-orious]

From what I've seen of his videos, Aerial Traveler has used the RADS climbing system in most of his videos. I do believe I've seem him climbing with a rope wrench as well. I actually just finished filming a comprehensive video about the RADS climbing setup, and it will be published in another month or so. But, as far as climbing goes, the RADS (Rapid Ascent Descent System) is anything BUT rapid. To give the system a little credit, it does make ascending quite easy physically, due to its foot loop, hand ascender for grab onto, and a pulley providng mechanical advantage for advancing the Petzl GriGri (or Petzl Rig or ID). However, as awesome as that aspect of RADS is, unfortunately, it has one MAJOR disadvantage relative to more modern arborist climbing devices aka multicenders. After ascending on a RADS, in order to descend, the climber must first remove a pulley, one carabiner, remove the foot loop from their foot, fold up the foot loop, remove the hand ascender, stow all of this hardware and software somewhere on your harness, and finally, use the handle on the left side of your GriGri (or some other similar belay device), and descend...about time! Sheesh. Anyways, I'll take a rope wrench or a Rope Runner Pro over a RADS every day of the week. Alright, I'll shut up now. Sorry, I'm rambling A LOT today.

[@Knot-orious]

Just checked out his channel foe the first time. He uses a ton of different systems, so that's pretty cool. Gonna check out some videos for a bit. Thanks.