24 Arbor Age / June 2014 www.arborage.com
If you've got eyes, use them
Both eye and eye or Cyclops (single eyed) bridges or tails
can be used to create a midline attachment point; and can be
of great value when adjustability and minimal strength loss are
desired. Pretty much any climbing hitch may be used in this
application, though additional turns will often be added to
increase security and friction. The use of Cyclops tails will ob-
viously limit the user to hitches such as the Blake's or Tautline,
while a two-eyed tail opens the whole pantheon of hitches to
availability. One that is fairly commonly used with a two-eyed
tail/bridge, and relatively simple to tie is the Valdotain tresse
or "Vt." As many turns as possible with the given eye and eye
are taken in an upward direction on the line. The two ends are
then brought together and held secure at the bottom of the
turns, as the top turn is rolled down over the other ones, creat-
ing the braid or tresse in the Valdotain tresse. This Vt variation
also has the added advantage of being much easier to adjust or
move after loading than a traditional Prusik hitch.
Quickly directional
A Quick Hitch is an easily tied and untied simple slip knot
in the standing part of the line. While it should not be used
for heavy loads, and is not appropriate in all applications, it
can be very helpful in sending additional gear, equipment,
and even lunches aloft. A properly tied Quick Hitch can help
prevent rigging lines from passing through a block or pul-
ley inadvertently, and even snaring a forgotten Friction Saver
out of a tree. It is formed by creating a loop in the line, and
TRAINING & EDUCATION TRAINING & EDUCATION
(Clockwise from top left) The steps in tying a Triple Bowline/Blackwater/Lineman's Loop. Three turns around the palm, turn closest
to the thumb to the middle, turn closest to the fi ngertips to the "new" middle, turn closest to the thumb to the "new" middle and
through, and tied, dressed and set.
