How I tie, dress & Set my Blakes hitch and questions answered on split tails

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In our first video (watch here: • Best climbing techniqu... ) we introduced you to our method of climbing.
In our second video (watch here: • DRT Mock Hunt for Larg... ) we filmed a mock hunt for you guys from start to finish so that you can get a feel for what it's like when we use this method in the woods.
In our third video (watch here: • How to Effectively Use... ) we showed you the exact technique of how to get into the tree with our method of climbing, including another knot tying demonstration.
We highly recommend watching those videos as well.
This is a very minimalist method for mobile saddle hunters. We are showing you exactly how we climb into large trees with minimal equipment, cost and effort.
This method may not be for everyone, but think of it as another tool in your arsenal. Please watch until the end as there's a lot of information on DRT climbing technique that we believe is one of the safest, quietest, least expensive ways to climb a tree for saddle hunting. I hope you all benefit from our technique. Please like and share with others.
Please remember that climbing of any kind is inherently dangerous. The DRT climbing method has been a standard in the arbor industry for 100 years. But remember It's only safe if you do it right. Ensure your knots are tied correctly and make sure you set every knot before you get off the ground. This is our method that we use in saddle hunting, but only do what makes you comfortable and do this at your own risk.
Feel free to comment down below with your questions, We'd love to help in anyway we can.

[@audi_steve8363]

This is the system they taught me when I started two months ago for the City of NY Parks department. I love it 💪

[@NYSaddleHunter]

What borough ?

[@audi_steve8363]

@@NYSaddleHunter Queens

[@NYSaddleHunter]

@@audi_steve8363 got a few buddies in the Bronx

[@stephenbaca3271]

Always appreciate you taking the time to help us out! Thanks, Joe!

[@NYSaddleHunter]

My pleasure Steve Thanks for the positive feedback.

[@Psittacus_erithacus]

great vid, very helpful

[@jeffking8642]

Thanks Joe, Great detail as always. Good luck this season. I was having trouble with my Blake's Hitch slipping under load as my rope has a "harder" finish than the Predator. I switched to the B52 version of the Blake's and the problem was solved. It just has 3 turns over the finger vs 2, so just add a turn. Thanks again.

[@ryanprochna8621]

Great video. You forgot to explain why you have that Prussik on your line! Having the prussik pull the Blake’s up as you go is a game changer.

[@NYSaddleHunter]

Your right

[@lancerudy9934]

Great video 😊

[@FTLiberty]

Awesome! Thank You

[@MikeJones-mc8ip]

i appreciate the videos you guys make. just a tip i sorta made up while I did my 1st sit recently...I am still brand new, and very hesitant trusting my Blake's hitch, I had a real hard time getting it to finally set even tho I know now I was def doing it correct. I was using same method you suggested as far as keeping at least 1 hand on the rope hanging down through the hitch to help control and avoid any slippage in case it did let lose. when i got to hunting height. was super nervous. with hand on rope coming out of bottom of hitch, i sorta bounced to ensure i wasnt gonna drop, then actually tied a quick know on the slack rope so I could drop on the line. I had knot tied to avoid the Blake's hitch from pulling through, but i tied another on the bottom of my actual ascend/descent portion just to keep me where i was until i could tether in. I didnt see you mention it, and not saying I invented this technique. I was basically going off of what I learned from watching you're videos and attempting to be really safe. it made me feel more confident to let go and trust my ropes while ingot tethered in. was just hoping maybe this advice could help another newbie like me feel safer getting locked in and set up. took only a few seconds and really made the difference for me considering i had a really hard time getting the hitch to lock in. it held find but I did notice it letting go as i was descending and should probably milk the rope as you guys suggest, I def learned quick to keep one hand on knot and the other on the rope to keep control. thanks again for all the videos, just was hoping to contribute to the whole safety aspect.

[@imaphxaznative]

Great video NYSH! Love ❤️ climbing ropes into trees 🌳. Have you considered using a leather cambium saver for MRT to save some friction but even better keeps sap off your rope?!

[@NYSaddleHunter]

@@imaphxaznative I’ve used tube friction savers in the past. I mainly climb SRT now and we can girth hitch our system from the ground and rarely climb any pine. But yes they area great product for both 👍

[@thefrequencyzone]

Thanks for the videos...I tried today for the first time...I had the same problem another follower had. My blake's kept slipping over and over but I did 5 wraps and it held...my predator rope is brand new also so not sure if that was the problem or just my blake's...I figured out I'm outta shape though!!!🤣

[@brett1567able]

awesome idea on the back up muenters hitch!! you guys rock!!~!

[@NYSaddleHunter]

Thanks Brett!

[@NYSaddleHunter]

Good luck tomorrow!

[@clayton203]

Awesome

[@LukePighetti]

Just bought the wesspur DRT kit you guys link out. Samson predator rope. My Blakes hitches were either not holding my weight, or were descending rapidly and unpredictably. Will try the B53 tomorrow and see if it's better. I'm 230 lbs. Won't go past 5 feet until it's acting reliably. I am proficient with knots and checked the Blakes multiple times from multiple sources and it was tied properly. I tried it with a moderate tend and a very tight tend.

[@NYSaddleHunter]

Luke try this method by using a prussic instead of a Blake's hitch, I find it never slips , it's my go to method for DRT now. Guys who struggle with getting a Blake's hitch to hold will find this solves that problem. It takes some finesse and practice to tie a Blake's, but this works even better. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3XNn4hnaNBqd9E

[@jhuntley575]

You have become a very knowledgeable climber over the years. Ever think about getting into rock climbing in the off season for fun?

[@NYSaddleHunter]

Yes I have thought about it looks like fun. Really enjoy the recreational climbing. Scout climbing has become half the fun. I'd totally like to do some rock climbing just never got into it

[@brett1567able]

@@NYSaddleHunter I did it in my twentys, spent lots of time in the texas hill country (enchanted rock) and some Colorado stuff, its a fun sport!

[@bill97656]

Once you're still with the regular rope started getting the tail rope

[@kevinnielsen4321]

Your videos are a great source of info, thanks for making them , also it looks like you've been putting in some gym time hitting those arms pretty hard or do you have a better camera 😂🤣🤣🤣.

[@NYSaddleHunter]

Lol climbing trees helps.

[@nicholasmarinelli4575]

Hey Joe - thanks for all the videos you guys put together. With this type of climbing rope system - srt with the Blake hitch - how do you keep the rope from being abraded and damaged as it passes over the tree branch?

[@NYSaddleHunter]

Hey Nick , Scott here . I think you mean DRT that’s when you’ll use a Blake’s hitch. The ropes we use are arborist grade . Their designed for such abuse. That being said you still have to inspect and take care of your rope with each use. Descending at a high rate of speed will do more harm to your rope from the friction generated in your hitch than the friction you get from branches. . I would replace my rope yearly as an Arborist and that’s climbing multiple tree daily 6 times a week . Using it for hunting , Setting up your trees plus some rec climbing to keep in shape. You’ll get a few yrs out of your rope. I often tell people you should have 2 ropes one for Rec and setups The other you strictly hunt with . You can also buy a tube tree friction saver this will add life to your rope plus add some ease to your climb. Hope this answers your question Nick. Good luck !!!

[@nicholasmarinelli4575]

Thanks Scott! Can you guys do a video about this and about how to set the tube you mentioned in the crotch of the branch?

[@NYSaddleHunter]

@@nicholasmarinelli4575 Here's a video we made on using a friction saver . kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKWokpV8nbxgo80

[@brett1567able]

1 more wake up down here in the 318 before opening day!!whooo hoooo

[@mountainmancaraway6431]

Hey, just getting started in drt climbing and have a question. So I tied a Blake's hitch like normal and then instead of using a prussic on the up line to move my Blake's I just tied another Blake's. Is there anything wrong with doing that. It seemed to work fine

[@NYSaddleHunter]

Joe used to tie it that way also. The tending knot is not life support. You can use whatever works !

[@MikeJones-mc8ip]

"then actually tied a quick know on the slack rope so I could drop on the line". so sorry for typos, meant "tied a quick knot on the slack rope so I Couldn't drop "

[@deadhead615]

I recently got the Samson predator rope and my first time trying to climb, my Blake’s was slipping every time I pushed it up. I was able to resolve the issue by using a 5/3 instead of 4/2. I don’t believe I was tying the 4/2 incorrectly because it would hold until I did my hip thrust/pushed the hitch up.

[@NYSaddleHunter]

Been hearing this a lot lately. Are you climbing with a single Blake’s or are you backing it up with a self tending knot also . If your using the self tending version. First tie the Blake’s and make sure you dress it properly by that I mean put your body weight into while pulling up on the tail end. Once you have it set where it will hold without slipping then go ahead and tie your tending knot. Make sure there is no slack in the tending while ascending . It shouldn’t be a problem holding with 4 wraps.

[@deadhead615]

@@NYSaddleHunter I was not using a self tending knot. I'm not really sure what the issue was. My 4 wrap knot was holding my weight entirely until I did my first thrust. I was thinking that maybe it was because it was a brand new rope, or could have been a timing/technique issue?

[@NYSaddleHunter]

@@deadhead615 after dressing the Blake’s. Tie your stopper knot close as possible to Blake’s. Thrust ,pull, slide knot . You’ll get it . Keep practicing. It gets easier.

[@ghost38901]

If the Blake's hitch is to high to reach and you are off the ground, seems like the only thing you can do is tether on to the tree, unclip from the saddle with your drt line and pull it to you if the Blake's hitch isnt to tight you might be able to pull it down to you and re tie it. Just don't unclip from your tether until you have put your full weight on the Blake's hitch.

[@jeremylong6229]

ghost38901 pull yourself up a little bit and you can reach it and instead of advancing the knot forward pull it down. I had to do this the first time I climbed realized about 10 ft up I couldn’t reach it. Then you basically have to use the line in your hand to control the decent

[@ghost38901]

@@jeremylong6229 yeah there is probably many ways to get down. I couldn't see having a belay device in your backpack for emergencies

[@johnwaldon1389]

Joe would the 8mm Bee Line split tail be a good choice for the predator rope?

[@NYSaddleHunter]

I'm using a 10mm beeline splittail. I'd say go with larger. Your still smaller than the 11.4mm predator, but I bet the 8 will really grab well . Either should work

[@johnwaldon1389]

NY Saddle Hunter Outstanding. Thank you sir. Keep up the good videos.

[@PBS-nm1uu]

this is great camera could of been a little better, where do you get training??

[@NYSaddleHunter]

There are some recreational tree climbing organizations. Heres one treeclimbing.com/

[@JHWImageDesigns]

What's is a split tali? I didn't catch that in this video.

[@NYSaddleHunter]

A split tail is a a 5' piece of climbing line with a sewn tight eye on one end. It's usually about 2mm smaller in diameter to the main climbing line. It's connected to the same carabiner as the working end of the climbing line and it's used to tie the Blake's hitch in a closed loop DRT/MRS climbing system. It's usually made of fibers that can withstand more friction heat. It has good knot tying characteristics for friction hitches and it enables you to be able to work around limbs without having to re tie the friction hitch . Also it will preserve the life of the climbing line because you can replace tge split tail instead of cutting off a worn out end of the rope that would be use for the Friction hitch. I think I'll make a short video explaining what they are better and why we use them. I'll probably do that tomorrow morning.

[@JHWImageDesigns]

@@NYSaddleHunter Thanks!

[@outdoorsman9384]

What's milking the line mean

[@NYSaddleHunter]

So most ropes have a inner core and an outer shell . When the inner core moves independently of the outer shell It will make them separate on each end. This is what they call milking

[@NYSaddleHunter]

You have a inner and outer core with climbing ropes. Most are separate from each other. A good practice before using your rope for the first time especially a double braid such as Predator. Is that you milk your rope . You can use a small diameter tree in your yard or a column in your house . Take one end and wrap it 1 1/2 to 2 times around the tree or column or any other round stationary object you have . Just enough so that when you pull from one end to the other there’s enough friction that you remove any of the memory ( twists ) out of it . Do this several times before your first climb . If you plan on buying a 75 ‘ length Wesspur will mend both ends for you. But if you decide to purchase say a 150’ length or longer You will have to cut , milk and burn both ends yourself . Hope this answers your question

[@mccambjd]

If a Blake's Hitch is tied too loosely, it's hard to dress properly and slides.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

Not to be a jerk but this is the issue with learning how to climb on your own through KZbin videos. Those of us who had actual clumbing and riggingtraining from a master arborist had it good.

[@NYSaddleHunter]

Not being a jerk at all. We stress that individuals seek out one on one professional training. I also feel confident that on my 37 yrs in tree care. Showing the fundamentals of Rec. climbing gives the viewer basic tools of safe entry and exit strategies. I’ve had a few ask me about tree trimming over the yrs , and refuse to give any instruction how to remove limbs or trees in text or video format. That’s an entirely different and dangerous animal on it’s own .