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The Evolution of Tree Climbing Systems | From Blakes Hitch to Akimbo

Honey Brothers Ltd

155,183 views

Ben breaks down the evolution of tree climbing systems from the early days of the 3 knot system using a Blake's hitch, through to modern mechanical devices like the Rope Runner Pro and Akimbo.

This video looks at how climbing methods and gear have developed over the years, improving speed, efficiency, and ease of movement in the canopy.

Perfect for arborists wanting to understand where our current systems came from and how they've advanced.

Curious to try some of these systems yourself? Visit Honey Brothers online or in store to check out the latest climbing gear and find the right setup for you.

0:00 - 0:20 Intro
0:21 - 02:27 3 Knot System - Blake’s Hitch
02:28 - 04:05 The Prusik Loop
04:06 - 06:11 VT and Micro Pulley
06:12 - 08:35 The DMM Hitch Climber
08:36 - 09:45 The Petzl Zigzag
09:46 - 13:30 The Rope Wrench
13:31 - 15:42 The Petzl Chicane
15:43 - 17:36 The Rope Runner
17:37 - 19:07 The Akimbo
19:08 - 19:39 Conclusion
19:40 - 19:57 Bloopers

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#arborist #treeclimbing #arboristgear #honeybrothers #treework #arboriculture

20 Comments

@tomtomthecaveman 1 year ago

I’m much younger then a friend of mine who’s been climbing for years. Showed him to tie the distal hitch and micro pulley with a foot ascender. He said “ in all my years of climbing, this is a game changer” stay safe fellow climbers.

@treeguyable 3 months ago

All these new fangled systems and gear are great. Been climbing 36 yrs, just a prussik, always works, no " devices " to deal with. Call me simple, ok.

@ericforsman7787 1 year ago

Two comments. One, you use a bowline to clip in to the original Blake's Hitch system. That works, but it makes a lot more sense to use a simple clove hitch instead of a fixed knot like the bowline because that allows you to easily adjust the length of the bridge after you tie the Blake's Hitch. Two, you use the ropewalking system with a foot and knee ascender but never mention that it was cavers who originally came up with the idea of ropewalking with double bungie foot and knee ascenders. That idea was then further refined by tree climbers who came up with better knee ascenders like the HAAS and SAKA. Those devices allowed climbers to use their legs instead of their arms to climb up ropes, and that has made a huge difference.

@hectorlopez-oz5wn 1 year ago

Minute 4:06 ... The name of the VT knot is Valdôtain Tresse (Valdôtain Braid). There are two variations: one with 4 turns and 3 braids, and another with 4 turns and 4 braids.

@bazzmcfury 1 month ago (edited)

Man epic video thanks loads. I started climbing on a Blake's hitch, back then it was the latest and greatest, we used it as a split system. Bow line on one side, hitch on the other, joined together on the carabiner. I finished climbing on a hitch climber, had a wee break now getting back into it as a hobby and man I had no idea how far its come. Great to see theres no more "thrutching" upto the top. Great for the abs, but man it was murder on a Friday afternoon 😂.

@jakebobday3531 3 weeks ago

I like the throwing myself upside down and pulling up always have not doing it anymore 10 years since but I loved it good ab work never have skinny abs 😂😂

@Ddaverr1 1 year ago

Nice to see the progression of the climbing systems in one video. Each system has it's place

@Michael-r1i 9 months ago

I remember when the split tail and blakes hitch came out,, so great. All free climb with a threestrand and tautline before that /good times!

@tr33m00nk 1 year ago

Very good summary & demonstration of the range of options available for professional arborist climbing and tree work. Recreational tree climbers will have a heart attack when they tally up the cost of the harness & SRT mechanical devices demonstrated here unfortunately ( at least I did). The RAD system for single rope tree ascending can be assembled at much lower cost using "rock climbing" ascenders and rigging. It's not as fast or efficient or elegant as the pro gear but it gets you up and down safely.

@kikoyyoutubetv8206 1 month ago

Nice sharing friend

@hackingultra 8 months ago

I just wanted to give you a heads up, I'm that new sub that's about to watch every video on your channel. I've been getting pretty high lately, but I don't have traditional training. I like your approach and delivery. Thanks.

@Justin-ke5qg 10 months ago

Never heard of a blakes hitch when I started. It was just bowline and prussik knot working off both ends and branch rolling. Then the climbing rope was used to lash down the truck. Unless of course we had a massive bonfire in the customers garden 😂

@GaryStorrick 7 months ago

Congratulations on this very nice video. As a collector and technique historian, I am familiar with these techniques and devices (which I also own). As a long-time caver and climber, these techniques are not appropriate for my needs, but I recognize that these were developed for a very different application. While the haters will complain that you didn't show something or that they do things differently, I think that you've provided a good overview of several options in a limited time. Well-done! --> Gary Storrick, Vertical Museum

@Rybread1611 4 months ago (edited)

Finally, a video to explain the progression ok right away, what do you mean another anchor point, does that mean another rope and throw?

@Utubeisazzho 1 year ago

The first knot attaching the double to single I forgot how. Learned under a diff name but you brought back the memory. Thank you much

@colour4321 1 year ago

Nice video. Tree climbing is moving faster than most other climbing sports - good to see the innovation. I remember testing one of the first unicenders in beta mode. Surprised you didn't mention it.

@jezmando4572 1 year ago (edited)

The lockjack sport was a big deal too. Plus you can definitely climb double rope with the rope runner and the akimbo!

@sketchyamigos 6 months ago

love the blooper at the end!! great vid 🤘

@davidjones8070 7 months ago

That was interesting. I’m in my sixties and still have a Stringer saddle which was made in Lee’s summit. It’s no longer in existence however I still have it with my blue rope and Bashlin hooks. I would have loved having some of this gear when I apprenticed. Back then we only had horrible butt saddles that cutoff circulation. We were required to know more knots and my job was in utility line clearance. We had to pull overhang on a 3 phase horizontal system to get our journeyman card. Not really sure what the requirements are these days. Thanks for sharing all this knowledge .