Second anchor or lanyard for limb walking

Thanks Monkey,

I ain't gonna be doing any climbing for awhile anyway we have another snow storm due in Indianapolis. Long winter!

There are other alternatives that do not include a Trango and can be implemented easily. Let me search the archives and I am sure Moss posted pictures of his lanyard that can be adjusted with one hand. The other way that you want to learn is to climb with both ends of the rope so you are tied to two anchors (TIP) and you can easily get more stable and move across the limb you like to cross walking along. It takes mostly balance and being confident on your gear before you are proficient at limb walking. It takes more mental balance than a bunch of extra expensive gear that you will not likely use that much after a while.

[link]http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturejournal/1987082458/sizes/m/[/link]

Thanks OldTimer,

The photo looks to be using the XT hitch like Moss suggested, am I right?

Moss & Oldtimer,

You guys have both suggested using the other end of the rope, which I do need to learn to do. I think it is easy to get lured away by fancy gadgets and other techniques before practicing with the basics.

I'm a bit confused about Moss's term of a "third rope"?

Generally, what I think I need to practice is using the end of my initial tie in rope.

This to me means (correct me if I'm wrong):

1. Remain tied in to first anchor
2. Haul up the end of my rope.
3. Throw this end over a new anchor point.
4. Tie or connect that end to my center saddle point with a figure 8 on a bight or carabineer etc. And add a stopper knot to the end tail like I would when tying into my original system.
5. Snug up the slack coming off my new saddle tie in.
6. Using a split tail accessory rope tie a Blake's hitch to the loose end (working or running end??). And attach this to my center saddle tie in point.
7. Then climb like Tarzan…

Did I get it right?

Connection knots are a matter of personal preference. A split tail makes it easier in later switchovers (pitches) but for the first switchover that you are describing you'd be tying a Blake's either way.

You left out the very critical bounce test of your new TIP.

treeweasel wrote:

I'm a bit confused about Moss's term of a "third rope"?

Go to the Tree Climber's Coalition web site/forum an dpost a question about the "third rope" lanyard. You'll get some good explanations.

As far as switching over to second tie-in using the other end of your rope, please (if you haven't already) study Peter "Treeman" Jenkin's Tree Climbing Basics video.
-moss