JRB Ascender Hitch, Auto-tending, Soft Bridge Mode, for Tether, Lineman's Belt, SRT Applications

[@jamesgillies3710]

The JRB hitch is a very versatile system. I am so glad to have it to use in my tool box.

[@jrbtc]

Thanks..... i probably should be more descriptive in my knot names, but just so you are aware, the "JRB Hitch" is different from the "JRB Ascender Hitch". The former was my first knot, and its a quick release or exploding hitch.

[@Greg-pl9wr]

JRB, I don't know how much time you put in to developing efficiencying methods and improvements but I am very thankful for your efforts. I am continually looking to improve my safety and efficiency, your channel is a real jewel for anyone who saddle hunts.

[@jrbtc]

That's appreciated. If it's info worth sharing, the word will spread. I am not in this for fame and definitely not for fortune. If i wanted a million subscribers, i would be doing something else, lol. But i did order a dynamic load scale and that wasn't cheap! Let's test some of this stuff!

[@morgantroutster]

JRB I just wanted to thank you for all of your awesome detailed videos. I started one sticking this year, and in my search to find something that’s better I stumbled upon your system. Only been watching the videos for a few days, but I am excited to give it a try. Again thanks for all of the brilliant videos that you’ve compiled for the community. Kevin2

[@jrbtc]

'Appreciate that very much Kevin!

[@tommydansby5481]

Thank you so much for this option at the end. You are very considerate. You go above and beyond with options and ways to use your hitches.

[@timgreer7440]

Everything keeps getting better and better! Fantastic job putting this together.

[@kevindice1092]

Outstanding versatility, as usual. I really like the way you continue to innovate, John.

[@jrbtc]

Thx Kevin. The applications for this feature are pretty wide. I tried to hit just a few here but feel free to apply as you see fit.

[@BrandonWendt2]

In an emergency with no equipment you could tie directly into a swiss seat/Rope harness for a 100% metal free system. I can't believe you can ascend rope with only rope. Thanks JRB

[@jrbtc]

Brandon, Truth is stranger than fiction: It was a good 10 years after i started rope climbing and hunting out of my DIY "flying seat" that i even heard of saddle hunting... and i wasn't really even curious to see what anybody else was doing anyway so I never even researched it. That system had one carabiner, no other metal. A couple years later, a few new friends saw it all for the first time, they encouraged me to share and here we are. I am just sharing, not showing off, and so my reward is your appreciation and the ongoing feeling that maybe I am preventing a few injuries and that's enough. Cheers and thanks.

[@paulcrave3112]

That’s awesome. I’ve been using catalyst hitches on my lineman’s and tether for a few years. They also can be broken under load but not as easily as your hitch.

[@choophongphongphansathapor1959]

The JRB Ascender Hitch System is an excellent system. I have watched your clips over and over again. which you can explain in detail, easy to understand And I have tried the JRB Ascender Hitch System and I can say that it is a very perfect system. Thanks very much for sharing.

[@jrbtc]

That's greatly appreciated. "Perfect" is not a word I believe in, and so pls watch out for any improvements or features or capabilities we can add.

[@martindejaen3337]

you are a total capo, thanks friend for sharing these simple and safe solutions

[@jrbtc]

Thanks for your comment. If its information worth sharing, then word will spread. Cheers

[@verticalfeel]

beautiful demonstration! so so useful, thank you John 🌟🌟

[@johniswild]

I have been watching your channel for 4 months. I have not managed to release under a load on the 423 & 523 hitches, double or single rope method. Now I use a single rope with throw ball; moved over to the Michoacan loop, with some improvement during the climb but not able to release while loaded. Note: I use a 6 loop design (10.1mm & 8mm static ropes). Unable to repel or climb with with garda and munter hitches - I use the Ropeman 1 for the foot loops. I have the larger carabineers (5) you use on the garda foot loop. Bio: 70 years old male, 3 years rope climbing experience. Anysuggestions welcomed.

[@jrbtc]

There are multiple possibilities, but i would need to see what you have tied. Please go to my website JRBTREECLIMBING.COM and leave me a comment. I will reply to you via email (likely tomorrow) and we'll figure it out.

[@westernmosaddlehunters]

This version works great for a self tending drt using a carabineer on a midline clove hitch. Very smooth operation breaks super easy.

[@jrbtc]

Yes, the there are several options for self tending MRS systems. If ya use the handled version of the hitch, the handle can act as a tender and clip into a prusik that ya put on the static side of the rope. But if you look elsewhere on my channel for the JRB climbing method playlist, you'll see why I have abandoned MRS/DRT after 12 years of it. JRB is faster, easier, more efficient and more versatile. There's no need for all that friction and why not move twice as fast if we can. And the redundancy is another Advantage. If my friction hitch were to fail completely, I still would not fall on a jrb system.

[@1004firefighter]

Jrb knot is good. Have a good time.

[@spiritualundergroundpodcast]

Thanks JRB!

[@gosnelljames]

At 6:53 you use a nail for demonstration. If you're ever hesitant about a nail end possibly damaging your rope, use some push pins that have rounded ends (I use them for firearm maintenance); I've noticed this works well.

[@jrbtc]

Excellent. I actually did take a file onto one of the nails used in one of these videos but I believe I misplaced it!

[@gosnelljames]

@@jrbtc and I forgot to mention push pins are great for getting tight knots out

[@kennethrogers1129]

oh , wow! smooth and so versatile , thank you again for sharing this variation

[@bobray1010]

I want to do a single stick method . I put a step aider on my stick, but don’t have the quick release on my climbing stick . So I will need to spend time to ‘undo it’ and reposition it. So think I’ll need the foot loop on the main line to help me during the process…. And since I prefer not to be too high, my repel will conceivably be managing the foot loop (and) main bridge jrb hitches … thank you for your instruction and tutorials!

[@jhuntley575]

Nice work jrb

[@gosnelljames]

At 13:43 my saddle came default with a prusik hitch on the lineman which is very hard to adjust under load (I would think by design) so it doesn't make a good hitch for adjusting under load. Your hitch is a lot better for the bridge adjustment.

[@joemorris414]

Excellent instructional videos.

[@jrbtc]

Thank you, happy to share.

[@kennethrogers1129]

this is what I will use, like it!! maybe later I’ll get some more rope and rig up double rope stationary system JRB,

[@josephtreadlightly5686]

Repel should be considered by how close u r to the bedding area since it should be done with concern to your next hunt in that location. I like when u refer to the application of the hitch cord u r using. Makes me remember the difference between US & French skiing. In the US we had all sorts of diamond courses where as in France u were responsible for your actions. That coined the phrase 'Land of the lawyer' in the US. U don't get a second chance in climbing. Your 1st fall is your last. There is no slope angled @ the perfect pitch to bail u out of your fall. I have found several things helpful in your system. I highly recommend the Fusion Essence carabiner if u r looking for a quiter setup in your 1 piece carabiner setup. ❤ the 2 grooves @ the 1 end of the carabiner to hold everything in place.

[@jrbtc]

Appreciate the comments. On my primary saddle system, i have two adjustable bridges. The upper bridge is generally set long and is where i spend my time on a hunt. I use a Rock Exotica SwivaEye carabiner with integrated swivel... because sometimes i change positions and spin around in the canopy. On my redundant bridge, used for my munter on rappel, I have been using a Petzl William Ball, which looks similar to the one you recommended. I also keep a full list of everything i am using on the new website: jrbtreeclimbing.com/

[@josephtreadlightly5686]

@@jrbtc I also have the Petzyl William B & the Fusion Essence. I'm excited about incorporating MRS, SRS & JRB this system just to keep my system flexible. I'm a sucker to self tending since I use it in MRS for 🌳 climbing 🌳 cutting. But I'm committed to eliminating the friction of MRS. I like having 2 lines in the 🌳. SRS reminds me of putting all your eggs in 1 basket.

[@josephtreadlightly5686]

@@jrbtc Yes, when u have 2 pivot points several feet above & using just 1 rope that goes over both unions I'm sure using that Rock Exotica carabiner makes alot of sense. I will check out your website. Thanks 😊.

[@joshsmallwood1]

JRB, I’ve watched hours of your videos in the last 2 days! Love it all! Such great information and I truly appreciate your time in all this! How are you attaching the carabiner to the linemans belt in the line man’s application?

[@jrbtc]

Thanks. Please be sure to use the website to guide you. On this page, you'll see where I recommend the JRB Ascender Hitch and links to the videos on the different tie options. On a Lineman's belt, i would use Compact JRBAH version 3... or a Longhorn Agile. jrbtreeclimbing.com/content/favorite-knots/

[@joshsmallwood1]

@@jrbtc headed to the website now to learn those!

[@vendredi2pointzeror-p2.04]

Thanks !

[@gosnelljames]

Once again an excellent video. I'm ignorant about the type of ropes that you're using. For your hitches, do you use special rope in regards to friction, such as high temperature rope?

[@jrbtc]

I don't generally mention the specific rope and cord combinations because: 1. There are many hundreds of possible combinations. 2. The design will last longer than the specific products on the market right now. In general, the cord should be about 75% the diameter of the rope. Exceptions possible. Cord products are generally marketed as "hitch cord" or "utility cord" or "prusik cord" and are generally made from materials with a high melting point. Although I do tests of it, I am not a proponent of executing a rappel on a friction hitch only; I always put in a Munter. This ensures minimal heat on the hitch itself. If you check out my website, I do list some of my recommendations. Jrbtreeclimbing.com

[@kennethrogers1129]

What about a handle on the hitch in soft bridge mode, I couldn’t seem to be able to insert a snap in a location that with not tighten the hitch?.

[@jrbtc]

If you want a handle AND bridge mode, you don't need SOFT bridge mode, which is the subject of this video. Just use regular bridge mode as described in prior videos like this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKaaqH2DlNqrqtk

[@kennethrogers1129]

went ahead and got some teufelberger resc tech and some sterling accessory cord, rigged up the jrb system, with redundancy, practiced with it and got familiar with garda and munter hitches, didn’t have any problems really, pleased with ease of breaking the hitches, the hitches seem to spread out with load, but work great, working out lengths of bridges, which I rigged with the resc tech, replaced my tube web bridge and added a redundant, had the garda and munter hooked to that, studying on the best friend, also using the resc tech for a lineman’s rope with a 5-3-2 on the right side for that, just wondering what do you recommend for the other end to tie off ? Currently using an anchor hitch (from Tree Climber’s Companion) with an extra half hitch and a stopper knot,

[@jrbtc]

Appreciate the feedback. I like a lineman's which is completely removable and so the statc side just uses a Poachers or Scaffold knot on a carabiner. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5asZ2RtqrSNnsU

[@kennethrogers1129]

yep looked at those knots, only one loop around the carbariner, was thinking two as in an anchor knot, seems stronger……I like having the one side pre tied witht he ascendr and the other, as you say, removable, with my two tether system I used a lineman every climb, but with this more stable system JRB, I probably won’t be needing a lineman very often, so much easier to install a ring of steps , ascend a bit more and step off on them, having fun learning your system, thanks…. grew up hunting off the ground, lean to (fell off one once, lucky I wasn’t hurt bad) then for decades lugged around a climber, got into saddle hunting when trophyline put theirs out twenty years ago, which got me studying arborist climbing methods, but never trusted one static or moving rope, used two tethers all last season but limited to smaller trees and often precarious situation.. LOL

[@kennethrogers1129]

went for a scout today and this area of mature hardwoods was an amazing wilderness area, St. Catherines Creek Wildlife Refure, every tree in these woods had NO CROTCH until 60-80 feet, 1-4 foot diameter trunks, incredible, only climable trees were smaller diameter with two tether system. So I am upgrading my two tether system with 5-3-2 soft bridge JRB friction hitches, tied that up and gave it a test, along with a way of rigging a self tending lineman’s rope, which adds a safety feature for larger trees, and I love the ease of breaking the friction hitches as I climb, awesome improvement over prusik loops on the tethers foot and leg loops.

[@numenorean08]

Could you rappel on just the one JRB ascender? Or are you avoiding that in case one fails?

[@jrbtc]

In an emergency ya could. But it's a lot to ask especially if you're using smaller diameters. And its a lot of totally unnecessary wear on the cord to rappel on a friction hitch. You would need two Rotator replace them fairly often. I would put in a munter below it every time for a real climb. But this video was trying to demonstrate the properties of the hitch and so I showed what it CAN do.

[@numenorean08]

@@jrbtc thanks for the explanation!

[@jrbtc]

@Dylan Snell, make sure you watch this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaatf6yNia2FrM0

[@numenorean08]

@@jrbtc will do, thanks!

[@alansmith8236]

JRB, could I use the 523 ascender hitch in soft bridge mode, as the bridge itself? Are there any safety concerns? I'm planning on SRT and/or single sticking on 8mm Resc Tech with Sterling 7mm accessory cord for the hitches.

[@jrbtc]

You could climb this way, and I have done so, however the purpose of a bridge for a saddle hunter is to provide easy left/right lateral rotation as our bridge flows through a carabiner. If you use the JRB Ascender as your bridge during the climb, you would need to transfer onto your main bridge. And so, i really don't see the advantage of doing this for purposes of hunting. I prefer an adjustable bridge (actually 2 of them) and I simply clip the carabiner on it to my friction hitch and stay on it.

[@alansmith8236]

@@jrbtc got it makes sense. Do you think I'll have any issues using 7mm accessory cord on 8mm rope?

[@jrbtc]

@@alansmith8236 it depends on the cord... it needs to be flexible. I like Sterling standard 7mm cord, and use it on 8mm rope. And you can get it at RockNArbor.com at 10% off using JRB10 discount code.

[@alansmith8236]

Awesome. Thanks for the content you are doing an excellent job.