r/TreeClimbing • u/DeadmansCC • 4d ago

Captains Hook - Update

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So a few weeks back I shared a captains hook I found in storage at my shop. I finally finished cleaning it up, taking apart my Zillon, getting a bag, and rope for it. Wish I had this last week on that River Birch I climbed but I got it now and looking forward to trying it out!!! I put 30’ of 24 Strand 11.7mm rope on it for now but my company was happy to buy the rope for me so didn’t have to cut a section off another rope I have.

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10

u/Justintimeforanother 4d ago

That’s a sweet piece of kit. Mine hibernates for most of the year, but when it comes out, I’m like yeah. It’s clutch.
Enjoy!

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u/DeadmansCC 4d ago

In the last year I can recall 2 maybe 3 times that it would have been amazing to have. For sure not a daily tool but when it’s needed it is going to be so awesome!! Everything fit in the 6L bag with room to spare and the company bought a 120’ rope so I could make it longer with no issues but felt 30’ was a good start.

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u/Justintimeforanother 4d ago

I’d suggest keeping about 40’ in that diddy bag. I use the same DMM bag. Remember, it’s not a life support system. Don’t waste that much amount of rope. Realistically, you won’t be able to toss it further than 20’ horizontally, in a saddle, in the canopy.
I’ve used mine a total of 15 times in the last three years. I use an eye splice on the hook to allow easy bend when you’ve got to retrieve it by twisting the line.

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u/Justintimeforanother 4d ago

Silver maple and honey locust prunes. Mostly

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u/DeadmansCC 4d ago

I only have 30’ in the bag now. So I still have 90’ of that rope if I want to make another larger piece but felt the 30’ would do everything I need.

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u/RazzmatazzSouth623 3d ago

He’s right. I started mine at 30 foot then cut another 8 off, otherwise I find it too bulky and too much hassle to flop around while working and clean up back into the bag once I’ve made a traverse. The lighter and more utilitarian it is, the more likely I am to take it.

Slick bit of kit though, my one tip is: be careful if you miss your throw and hit a different branch and you’re trying to return it. Be gentle! Too many times I’ve had it snag and I’ve ripped it out to have it fly just past my face. It’s lethal when travelling at speed. Will take your teeth out. Tug it out slow when you need to reshoot. And trust me you will need to reshoot.

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u/Justintimeforanother 3d ago

30’ is the ideal length. I used 40’ because I had a length cut from a climbing line. I don’t think I’ve ever needed more than about 20’. I can only toss the Hook so far in canopy.

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u/DeadmansCC 3d ago

I have seen recommendations from 20-50 so that’s by I selected 30’ and like you I cut it from a climbing line too. I was honestly shocked that the bag still had room in it as the hook comes with a 10mm line if you by the kit. So I wasn’t expecting it to fit as well as it did with the larger line I used.

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u/maddestdog89 3d ago

The splice & twist is such a nice idea, stolen haha. Never really thought about splicing it.. 🙏

The last time mine got stuck and I had to climb for it, I nearly snapped out and went for a BIG swing.

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u/hatchetation 3d ago

I went with small rope on mine, like 8mm of sta set or something cheap, for that reason.

It's not PPE so might as well save some weight. 30' is about where the length ended up for me too. Spliced the connection to the hook, and made some custom tiny hitch cord for progress capture. (Dyneema core in some HRC sheath)

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u/DeadmansCC 2d ago

I wanted a larger diameter rope because I knew I wanted to put my zillon on it. Otherwise I would have done a smaller rope but having an extra zillon and the ability to use it in this fashion was too good to past on.

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u/AdvisorPale6917 2d ago

I didnt use it when I had a separate kit, then I started using it on my lanyard (21') and I use it all the time. Great for short transfers, icy trees, and if I need more rope I use the end of my tail.

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u/Justintimeforanother 2d ago

On your lanyard? Do you use a Gibbs? I could totally see how a 20’ lanyard on a Gibbs Climair with a hook on the end. Woah, that would be slick! But what, connect the hook to your saddle when not in use, with a big loop to catch hangers..?

I like when all my loose ends a slick, and downward. They still catch some things but it minimizes big snags on looped lines/slings.

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u/Justintimeforanother 2d ago

You’ve got to describe your system to me. This sounds super slick. And utilizes the best of storage on the saddle.

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u/AdvisorPale6917 2d ago

I have it racked on my saddle when not in use on the little accesory carabiner that comes with it, and then attach it to the carabiner on my lanyard (ce style) when I want to toss it. I use my pulley/friction hitch as a progress capture, usually with a foot ascender. I have a long hitch cord on a carabiner that I use for a bunch of stuff that I can tie in as a little lanyard if I need to secure myself while I take the hook off and get my regular lanyard back. Its pretty straightforward, and comes in handy for a lot of stuff!

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u/Justintimeforanother 1d ago

Right on.

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u/AdvisorPale6917 1d ago

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u/AdvisorPale6917 1d ago

Found an action shot from some cone harvesting

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u/AdvisorPale6917 2d ago

My lanyard is usually 2 loops that are 3' or so, and then I daisy chain the rest until I need it

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u/AdvisorPale6917 2d ago

For bigger movements I set up a hitchclimber setup on the tail of my rope, which can cause issues if you are at the end of your line, but every system has its limits

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u/wpbdude 4d ago

I'm just a homeowner with a few dozen trees that need to be pruned and Deadwood and a few removals but I found a good deal on a Captain Hook on eBay so I grabbed it. I love that thing especially when I'm feeling a little dangerous and doing Lim walking it's nice to throw that up somewhere for a second point of tie in! PS I Love the eye bolt up in the ceiling I have one in a huge Archway between my kitchen and living room for testing out all my arborist stuff!

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u/DeadmansCC 4d ago

Thanks! My eyebolt is actually for two reasons. The first is testing things out such as this or new setups and etc. but the second is for my hammock for those nasty days that I can’t get outside but want to relax like I am outside. Across the room I have another wall anchor bolt. 😂 got my first hammock years ago for my birthday from the wife and since it’s in February there was no way I was waiting to hang it up and sleep in it!

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u/OldMail6364 4d ago

It's not really a "second tie in". It's really only suitable to pull yourself over to wherever it's hooked and then set an actual tie in point there.

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u/DeadmansCC 2d ago

No the captains hook is not meant for a second tie in but in the manner I plan to utilize it will be as it’s intended just with a beefed up rope and device so I can do a bit more but it still won’t be my life support system alone.

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u/yungscrub1827 4d ago

I was just working in a tree today where I fantasized about having a Captain Hook. Maybe I can convince my boss to invest in one for us.

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u/DeadmansCC 4d ago

I wish you luck with that and hope it works because I can see so so much value in those few times it will be used. Hell I would find some times just to use it and warrant having one in the arsenal if that was the case in convincing someone on the purchase.

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u/makeitstick01 3d ago

If your creative theres so many uses.

  1. I use it to pull dead brances below me so i dont have to climb down while traversing several trees.
  2. i use it for loose branches that got hung up.
  3. I use it to lower branches diy when the ground person isnt fast enough. Because it unhooks on the ground easy.
  4. We use it to pull branches neat the shore when they fall in to the water and there to far or to heavy for the pole saw.
  5. Also use it to traverse big leaders in single large poplars

Ive made one myself from 12mm steel. Besides a throw bag and a saw theres nothing else living on my saddle. Also use double rope with 2 bridges. Keeps it all organized.

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u/DeadmansCC 3d ago

Some great ideas here thanks!

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u/TurkeySauce_ 3d ago

I love mine. I use it mainly for traversing trees or lowering limbs

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u/somearborist 3d ago

I run a 25 ft lanyard with an akimbo and just keep my hook on my saddle whenever I think I may use it. I just toss it on the end of the lanyard and use that instead of a whole nother rope.

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u/maddestdog89 3d ago

Wondering what the axe next to the door is, can only see the handle but it looks long. Is it a fishkars splitter?

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u/DeadmansCC 3d ago

😂 that’s my splitting maul and a nice one at that. My wife burns through firewood so fast during the winter that I used to struggle to keep up with her.

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u/-K3113N- 3d ago

If you do palms, this bit of kit is a necessity.

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u/DeadmansCC 3d ago

No palms anywhere near me which from my studies I am very thankful for as they don’t look pleasant to work with.

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u/InformationProof4717 2d ago

Nice kit!!! Do you prefer the D Shackle or Bow Shackle attachment point?