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Nick wrote:
Nice idea....clipping the end of your rope to the saddle! I sometimes go up a tree KNOWING I am going to use the tail end...this might be one less step to worry about!
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nick-
Funny hearing that, because every time I climb I expect and plan to use the tail ends. I suppose one could argue pros and cons...

Are you not normally flipflopping from end to end? Or do you use a long and a short?

No, I don't flip-flop the rope. I have an eye spliced on one end. I use that end always.

I do have one short rope (60') that I use when appropriate. It's nice not hauling around long rope when you don't need it!

If I know I will use it often in a tree. I just let my 50 foot throw line dangle, with bag clipped to my side. It is simple, but not high tech.

For the open trees like a Sycamore, I use my son's Vortex, which is a Nerf type of minature football with a winged stem. I'm accurate and good for about 40 feet. Thus far it seems to get unstuck OK. It wouldn't work for denser growth tress. It's less forgiving than a small throw-bag when stuck. It falls into the category of being quick and dirty and worth having in the climbing tool box. For an open limb from the ground, it's the right choice.

I haven't used it in a multi pitched climb. However, I can visualize a greater freedom of motion with a football throw than a throw-bag/ monkey fist which will need some type of rotation before release.

Regards,
JimK

The football idea sounds interesting. We might even be able to use one to have climbers in different trees throwing to each other...
How do you attach the throwline to the football - just tie it around the fins?
Patrick

Because this isn't a life line, I use a clove hitch as the attachment of the Vortex football to the throw-line. The attachment is to the stem where the fins are situated. I figured that it provides a remote chance of beneficially becoming undone.

It has potential of being used in applications like climber-to-climber or in a gaming situation.

JimK

Jim, I never thought that I'd be considering nerf products as part of my climbing gear!

What a great idea! I can't wait to give it a try.

love
nick