Introducing the Double Michoacán' (Double Meech) Friction Hitch 

Thx sincerely for your comment. It's a labor of love for me. And there is quite a bit coming including a new friction hitch that is likely not a published work.

@@jrbtc I'm looking forward to it ! Just curious as i don't have much knowledge or access to any real climbing gear where i live. But is there any quality rope available on Amazon? I'm using some cheap stuff right now just trying to get familiar with everything and only going up a few feet, but i see so many mixed reviews on Amazon I'm not sure what to get . Lol

@@garybucher6824 if you're on Facebook, I have a group by the same name as the channel: JRB tree climbing and saddle hunting. I have an entire shopping list including all of the ropes that I have personally used. And it's a little easier for discussion. However, there are definitely quality ropes on Amazon and other online sources. You definitely want a rope which is rated for climbing. Static ropes are easier than dynamic ropes but i use several dynamic ropes including the newest one: Mammut Alpine Dry 8.0 mm, which I really like. I prefer thinner, rated ropes, in the 8mm range.

@@jrbtc Thanks again, i just requested to join . I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with this !

Appreciate the feedback. Thx. I have over a decade of MRS /DdRT experience. I have no use for it anymore. It's got too many disadvantages as compared to the JRB Climbing Method, described on the dedicated playlist here on the channel. Summarizing, there's no sense dealing with all the friction of a moving rope when it doesn't need to move. It can remain stationary... and you can climb up both strands in parallel like an SRT climb but on two strands at the same time. NO metal on metal, no devices and no knots tied at the tree. And its got redundancy for crucial components. In MRS, what happens if your friction hitch completely failed or an eye snapped? Not good. In JRB, you're safe. And can recover safely without assistance.

Appreciate that brother. Did you also see the playlist for the JRB Hitch?

@@jrbtc no but I will certainly look for it.

Yes it's smooth. Of course, it's two independent hitches in one assembly. I have since replaced it though with preference for the JRB Ascender Hitch. With a 523, i can get almost the same performance as a double meech and more versatility.

Think it through... I can't recommend SRT for a hunter in light of the advantages of the JRB Climbing Method, particularly on my new JRB Ascender Hitch. 6mm is a good diameter cord on 8mm rope. Discussion is easier in my FB group, same name as the channel.

Sterling cords are available directly from Sterling (or a distributor) and i like that they come in 21 or 25ft lengths. I used 6 feet for an 8mm cord on 11mm rope. That should suffice for anything... but for anyone who prefers a double fisherman's knot instead of Hunters Bend, it will consume more cord.

That's absolutely viable and i had done it but never published it. It was during that period of time when i concluded that if we could somehow rig a handle into the friction hitch, our brain would instinctively divert more of a balanced load distribution into our hands and the climb would be even easier. We have accomplished that now with the JRB Ascender. Tie this instead of a double meech. It's all I climb on now. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oF9oGHQDiBA.html

It depends on the application. This is simpler: if ya know a meech, you can figure out how to tie two. The JRB Ascender is more complex to tie but offers similar performance but in a single hitch, not two. It has other features though. What are ya using it for?

@@jrbtc Well I was just going to do some tree work around the house but now that I see you guys using it for hunting I will to

If you're using a Munter Friction Hitch or a Figure 8 or equivalent, placing it under the hitch as demonstrated, then the friction on the cord is minimal, and so everything lasts a long time. I see no advantages to rappel on the hitch only and don't recommend it nor use it regularly. In the video, I used my foot as a crude friction device instead of the munter. And as with all climbing ropes and cords, we need to inspect and replace when compromising wear is evident. Sorry, but its hard to be more specific on how long.

I will say that if you do have the munter engaged, the friction is absorbed mainly by the climbing rope and i have climbed systems for 4 years and retired them only because they were old and the rope out of warranty, not because the rope was worn. Rappel slowly and distribute the friction and heat.

The 2 things should stand out to people. If someone has a closed loop prusik on their tether that binds up in both directions that putting a piece of metal as an alternative is not the solution. Using hitchcord & closing it with the Hunters Bend after tieing a 5 loop Michoacon is. If u r ascending a 🌳 & find yourself using SRT with a footloose & can't reach the tree with your foot there is another alternative. Convert that SRT to JRB so u can have 2 lines over 2 unions or crotches. Now u r spreading out the friction over 2 lines with 2 different Michoacon hitches. Most 🌳 I climb solely because the orientation of a 🌳 @ the base I might not be able to put 1 foot up against the trunk as I start. However my goal is always to get on the right side of the 🌳 while climbing. In all cases I am able to use my foot on the trunk by using the double union system using MRS which will be fully converted to JRB soon. 2 hitches, 2 unions, 2 bridges while always being able to advance my line if need be. All Samson 11.4mm rope will be used for 🌳 cutting purposes & replaced with 8mm climbing rope being Sterling Oplux or dry Mammut. All my lanyards I have been using have a double loop end with a Michoacon 5 wrap. All the closed prusik looks I have would only be needed for a self tending application which would be few & far between using in MRS.

I assume you saw this video. If not, link attached. My main bridge is simply a Black Diamond Gridlock (Magnetron) Carabiner which is in a Prond Swivel. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lg3QMPQDnKY.html

I also review my main bridge here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--5hRM2V2CvM.html

@@jrbtc Okay, thank you. So for your redundant bridge, is that just two cords tied into the same loops?

@@Mike_B_724 no. There's two links in my 2 replies above. One shows how i build the redundant bridge. Did you watch both of them? My channel has several playlists. And all of the information on the JRB Climbing Method is on that playlist.

@@jrbtc my apologies. I completely overlooked the first link. Thank you.

Feel free to search online for "hunting saddle" and you will find many brands and products. I am wearing the 2020 model called "Flex", by Aerohunter. The climbing method can be adapted to almost any type of harness including a Rock Climbers Harness or Arborist Saddle.

@@jrbtc Thank you.

I dont own own one, but my understanding of the device, which is used in conjunction with a friction hitch, is to creates a bend in the rope, and absorbs some friction, enough to reduce the amount on the hitch so that it's manageable. I don't know the exact ratio, but read it is used with 11-13 mm rope. The double Meech is a completely non mechanical solution and so we don't need to have a device and obviously, it distributes the load at exactly 50% on each hitch. With it and the right cord, i have executed non mechanical SRT climbs with 9 and even 8mm rope. I can make the assembly as long or short as i want it. And in a hunting application, we prefer non mechanical solutions (nothing to clang and make noise). The double Meech also allows me to remove load and advance the hitch upward with one hand. This is handy when transitioning from a sitting to a standing position when hunting. Lastly, it served as inspiration for the 523 JRB Ascender which came next. I am providing a suite of non mechanical options for various rope climbing applications. If you have any particular device and like it, I have no objection whatsoever. There are a lot of fabulous devices.

What would you tie to form the loops ? Or sewn eyes

@@domvaleri7955 i use hunters bend to close my loops. I have a video on it in the knot tying playlist. Also show it here. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Y5KUHIW5OJg.html