I (Think/Hope) I Developed A New Hitch Design

[Knotorious]

Here is my latest videos published to my channel for a new slipped hitch that myself and another YouTuber conceptualized and then came up with a few possible applications for it. It can be used as a loop knot, but it works better as a hitch since it gets weakened a bit by ring loading.

I decided to name it the MIRAGE hitch because, much like a mirage, first you see it and then, once you pull the tail, it disappears as if it were never there, making untying it a breeze. It is basically just a girth hitch, with the working end wrapped around or through an object/piece of hardware, and then, after forming a bight with it, that bight is slipped through the girth hitch. I looked everywhere for this knot online and in a few books before I determined that it very well may be a new knot. So, until proven otherwise, myself and another climbing YouTuber will be taking credit for it.

Short form:

Long form:

Thanks to anyone who took the time to check it out! =-D

 

[Knotorious]

I haven't posted this yet (I will in a few days), but it's my video all about my solution for the Rope Runner (Pro) vulnerability, where it cannot be used in either a 2:1 or 3:1 configuration without the risk of it potentially collapsing, causing a climber to either lose briefly lose control or to lose control completely and plummet to the ground.

Here is the description for the video, which basically says everything that needs to be said, along with all of the disclaimers in the video itself...

"DISCLAIMER: This video discusses a completely new method for using the Rope Runner/Rope Runner Pro which has been tested thoroughly by only one, single person (that would be me, Knotorious). Therefore, if you decide to take my advice and attempt to use this system on your own, you knowingly and wittingly accept all risk and responsibility for your actions. Using completely new climbing systems, regardless of how confident I may be, poses inherent dangers.

I want the world of tree climbing to gain awareness of my new technique. But I also want everyone to be as safe as possible. I chose to post this video because YouTube, even in the realm of arboriculture, should be a place were anyone can feel free to propose new ideas and concepts; even if they aren't 100% certain that their ideas are entirely safe.

Having said that, I am certifiably close to 99% certain that I have come up with a solution for the Rope Runner (Pro)'s vulnerability regarding its potential for collapsing when placed in a standard (theoretical) 3:1 mechanical advantage configuration for limb walking. You, the viewer, must make your own assessment. I am NOT recommending this system to ANYONE. I am merely, excitedly, disseminating my novel idea across the internet via my YouTube channel. Start low and slow. Don't climb alone. Have backup plans. Stay safe.~Love, Knotorious

In this episode, I will introduce, explain, and demonstrate a completely new method for climbing with a Rope Runner/Rope Runner Pro, which -- based on my testing and knowledge/understanding of the devices, hardware and physics involved -- should be completely safe for use at height.

The manufacturer of the Rope Runner Pro (Notch Equipment) states explicitly in their instruction manual that the device should never be placed in a 2:1 (which can occur when a climber performs a natural redirect, without pulling the tail of their rope over first, which causes the potential for the device to collapse and stay collapsed, causing a climber to plummet to the ground) or a 3:1 theoretical mechanical advantage system.

This means that the Rope Runner cannot be used as part of a mechanical advantage system on a limb walk, which are almost exclusively formed by building a 3:1 system. It also means that the Rope Runner cannot be used with many of the retrievable redirects out there which require that the climber descend with their device in a 3:1 formation. As far as I'm concerned, these two elements may constitute the ONLY downside that the Rope Runner (Pro) possesses. Everything about this device is incredibly amazing and nothing short of perfection.

Bothered by this, I decided I would think about this vulnerability of the Rope Runner's and that I would attempt to come up with a solution, so that Rope Runner owners could use their devices in these two aforementioned, previously impossible ways. And I firmly believe that I have been successful in doing so.

PLEASE watch this video! It will answer any and all questions that you might have about everything I have said thus far!" - End of Description

 

[Knotorious]

Short for my Rope Runner hack...

One commenter on my long form video claimed this had been around for awhile and yet another claims thatt "this was discussed and demonstrated at Arborist a few weeks ago." So, perhaps this confirms the safeness of this method to a greater extend. It's hard to tell when people are telling the truth; I can't verify any of this. But I have no reason to call them liars. So I'm going to assume it's true for now. Either way, my two videos are the only two videos on YouTube which appear to cover this technique (as far as I can tell). Therefore, their importance is hardly diminished.

 

[Stelzer]

Short for my Rope Runner hack...

One commenter on my long form video claimed this had been around for awhile and yet another claims thatt "this was discussed and demonstrated at Arborist a few weeks ago." So, perhaps this confirms the safeness of this method to a greater extend. It's hard to tell when people are telling the truth; I can't verify any of this. But I have no reason to call them liars. So I'm going to assume it's true for now. Either way, my two videos are the only two videos on YouTube which appear to cover this technique (as far as I can tell). Therefore, their importance is hardly diminished.

I employed this method several times on a spreading oak about 6 weeks ago and I'm sure I'm not the first. I just didn't make a YouTube vid about it. I don't think the people claiming they've done this are lying either, since I doubt many would think they're the first to do so.
As I'm sure you're well aware, just because there hasn't been a video posted of it on YouTube doesn't mean it hasn't been done. You may very well be the first to post a video of it, but it isn't a new idea.

 

[Knotorious]

I employed this method several times on a spreading oak about 6 weeks ago and I'm sure I'm not the first. I just didn't make a YouTube vid about it. I don't think the people claiming they've done this are lying either, since I doubt many would think they're the first to do so.
As I'm sure you're well aware, just because there hasn't been a video posted of it on YouTube doesn't mean it hasn't been done. You may very well be the first to post a video of it, but it isn't a new idea.

I'm fully aware of that. I explicitly state in my video, and in my numerous disclaimers (both on-screen and in the description/comments) that, to the best of my knowledge, I'm the only person that I have seen -- personally -- make any content about this method, and that I couldn't find anything on any websites either. The only reason I stressed the potential newness of this method is because, since I had never seen anyone do it, I didn't want anyone to get hurt or to get into any trouble for sharing what I believed to be a relatively untested method at the time.

Now I am DELIGHTED to find out that other people are actually aware of this method and that it has a longer history of use than I originally thought. This adds credibility to my idea, and protects my video and my viewers, and it also means that any climber who uses the method in my video is just as safe as I had originally thought they would be.

I wasn't attempting to steal glory, sir. I was just covering my ass by being candid about the fact that, other than myself, I had never seen anyone do this. I believe this was the responsible thing to do and I haven't discredited anyone who has told me that I'm not the first to share this idea. I think it's great that I'm not the first because now I, and my viewers, can trust this method even more!

But let's also give credit where it is due: I did legitimately come up with this idea, on my own, without any outside influence. Does that mean I deserve all the credit for it? Absolutely not. Do I deserve ANY credit for it? I really don't know or care. I'm all about trying to come up with new climbing concepts/knots/friction hitches and I accomplished that in this particular video...or so I thought I did haha. If someone else came up with this first, then give them all of the credit! I can simply go to bed with a smile on my face knowing that I actually came up with something awesome and useful on my own.

It's not about getting attention or credit, it's about spreading ideas with my viewers and with the tree climbing world. Clearly, as evidenced by the absence of any videos or websites discussing this technique, a video really needed to be made for this technique and I was the first person (that I'm aware of) who was willing to do it.

Thanks for your comment!