Great Video! We have recently started using saddles and I have been looking into purchasing the Madrock for myself. This video answered a lot of my questions! Thanks for posting!
great video it was very helpful. I noticed you were kid of fighting the rope around the 6 minute mark during your repel. it is supposed to come back over itself to help you control your descent. but awesome video to help out anyone thats new to rappelling and rappelling devices!
Good video. Thanks. I referenced it several times while trying to make sure I used my new madrock safeguard correctly. They call that link tied on the end of your (and my) rope a quicklink. I think a D ring is something else which you would not want to use (do a google search). A Delta link is a third thing that can be used for the rope just like the quicklink, but it is triangular.
Just ordered my Mad Rock this evening can wait to get it and try this rappel method looks so simple and easy. Appears to be real quiet in your video as well. I'm new to saddle hunting, and am excited to get in the trees an slay some furry creatures lol. Great video bro. That property you're on there looks amazing 🤘
I would HIGHLY suggest removing the carabiner/link and go ahead and run the line directly thru the loop to girth hitch it so you avoid side pressure on your carabiner/link. You should also tie a backup knot into the line to prevent the line from slipping in case something should happen with the device. In mountaineering/repelling there is always redundancy and backups--NEVER trust a single point.
Where exactly on the line should you tie a backup knot? And what type of knot is best? How many inches or feet below the madrock would you tie the knot? Can a Beal jammy take the place of that knot and just clip into linemans loop as a 2nd point of safety in case the madrock fsiled? Thanks!
That is an Oval Quick Link and is designed for that specific application (as long as he is using a Quick Link rated for climbing/rappelling). If he were using a Carabiner, you would be correct.
I agree with the never trust a single point , but the quick link that is used, is designed for that particular application with having being rated for side pressure. I also saddle hunt and the quick link works absolutely perfect. Especially when pulling the rope out of the tree, slides right through.
Technically you are correct of course. But if you have climbed much rock and ice you have seen some side loaded aliminim biners take massive whippers while resting on pointy rocks as a fulcrum. I just can't seem to get myself worried about sideloading a steel carabiner with my static weight
As a mountain/climbing guide I would slightly disagree with Andy’s comment; yes there is a chance of cross loading the link or carabiner however the chance of that happening under load are minimal. When you girth hitch you are effectively reducing the strength by 1/2. I use a similar method to climb and to descend except I use a very small grivel locking carabiner. The biggest thing is if you are going to use this method be 100% sure BEFORE you load the system you are not cross loaded AND the link is rated to climbing standards not a hardware store special.
Really like the dual focus on practicality and safety. Just a couple words of caution: That device requires 8.1mil rope at a bare minimum. That's still going to feed really fast, so probably better to go with 9mil for a self belay. Also, you need to tie some backup knots in your rope (at the very least), it you're going to take your hand off the break strand. That device is not auto locking. The advertising is a little misleading for the device, but don't trust it without your hand on the break strand or a safety knot in the rope!
It is recommended to go with the Lifeguard (same device with a spring) for self belay. This device would be pretty dope for top rope soloing. I use a shunt so I have to switch to the Big 8 to rappel. Which is cool. Rappel like a man. But take a lot longer.
The madrock safeguard is spring less and lifeguard has a spring. I like the safeguard myself but always have a safety knot for backup, have it connected to my linemen loop on my saddle
I have a beal birdie for the same thing. Use it the same way but with 40' of canyon 9mm. Works great, rope mgmt can get fiddly, and biners add noise, but otherwise I like it.
Great review! Just got one in and am looking forward to putting it through its paces. You ever hunt Lake Russell, Redlands, or Cooper's Creek/Blue Ridge? If so, message me. I need to make up for missing the north GA saddle meetup. Dang Covid test lol.
Great review from a new subscriber. I’ve seen some different methods but how do you go about getting your tether unhitched and down out of the tree? I’m new to saddle hunting and was considering repelling as a faster descent method. Thanks again for the great content and good luck out there!
Paul Crave just a figure 8 knot. No sewn eye. I use my bow pull up rope and clip it to the eye of the rope at the top and pull it down with that when I get to the bottom of the tree 👍🏻
So if you have a little bit of slack in your line while you were standing on a platform and fall back a little as if you were falling for example. Does the slack go through a little bit until there’s weight put on the line? Or is it kind of like a ropeman1 and your doesnt device doesnt seem like it’s falling, say like the beal birdie and lifeguard?
So you have the mad rock locked to your bridge? Jw. I. Trying to learn and figure this out before I purchase a device to help me decend. I do have a figure 8 and climbing carabiner, D loop belts.. just never tried using it.
Could you not add a prussic-knot ahead of your Madrock as a second safety device? I don't know about trusting only one device. Back ups are good off the ground.
@@georgiapublicproject5578 I think I'll get me a set to try for after this season. It's too close to be trying to switch things up. Good luck this season!
Any issues with the 8mm rope slipping yet? I am wanting to go this route but also have 8mm rope. I’m afraid I might have slip with it and need to go to 9mm.
One key point in this review that is important not to overlook is at 2:30 into the video. He uses climbing spurs to ascend trees...not steps. This method adds no value if you are using multiple tree steps.
richard ruebel I use a piece of paracord with a small carabiner clipped to the quick link, when I get to the bottom of the tree I pull on the paracord and it retrieves the rope. Super simple and it doubles as my pull up rope!
I think I would take this video down and redo it. You have several hunters suggesting that you don’t need to use ONE point of contact. The last thing you want is a novice getting hurt using your method.
Quite a few things 'wrong' with this - I'd stay away from showing lifesupport systems....for anyone who wants to access trees safely then I would suggest learning how arborists do things. These hunting set-ups leave a lot to be desired.....
This isn't considered safe without backing up the safeguard device . Don't trust your life to a single mechanical device. Amateurs shouldn't put crap like this out there, some one will get hurt.
