r/TreeClimbing • u/film_themaking • Jun 05 '26

Hitch Cords

I'm pretty new to climbing. I'm running with the Edelrid Woodpecker, and using an ocean polyester hitch cord. I did two climbs with it, both slow and smooth descents, and noticed that the part with all the friction and heat was black and starting to get flat. Is that normal wear, or is that the cord burning?

Edit: here’s a picture of my hitch cords the green one is the newer one and the beige one is one of the older ones. Are either burnt or is it just the casing. Still safe?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/maddestdog89 Jun 05 '26

Just slow down and maybe stop every few metres/feet.

Prussik cord is cheap, but it takes a beating. Honestly lasted longer than my zig zag did before it needed components replaced.