Self advancing friction hitch?

In this photo of Nick in a sycamore it looks like he's using an advanced friction hitch attached close to his saddle. Looks great for limbwalking since it's easy to reach the friction knot when you're leaning way out...
Scroll down to the second photo:
Nick limbwalking with advanced hitch

My question is, can you body-thrust with a rig like this? It looks like you'd have to grab above the friction knot, pull down then pull out the slack below the knot with the other hand. Seems a little awkward. How is it done? Or maybe it's not done
Thanks,
-moss

Please provide a link to the photo so we can all gab about it.

The photo is from this TCI thread:
http://www.tci-forums.com/viewthread.php?tid=427
Thanks,
-moss

2 options I can think of off the bat when it comes to body thrusting with advanced hitches-

1-(the one I do most) Body thrust, let a bit of slack accumulate below your hands, above the knot. At the appropriate time, pinch the rope with one hand while I reach down with the other hand and pull the slack through.

2-attach a sling, maybe 2' from saddle to advanced hitch. Climb, removing slack as I go. Remove sling when I no longer need it.

love
nick

Are you talking about a self advancing friction hitch- where the hand is not needed to advance the hitch?

I now use a small prusik loop (made of 4mm cord) conected by a small carabiner to a micro-puley (or use a dog leach tie) to do the tending of the blake hitch. This saves a lot of energy and I only have to concentrate in pulling the rope down and advancing the leg loop/prusik ascender. When I reach the top I can just remove the small (non rated) carabiner and use the system as any other DRT set up. It is a little bit more gear intensive but it is so nice not to have to move the blake hitch up the rope that it makes it all well worth it. Jepson describes something similar on page 75 of his book.

Moss,
You are right about the setup. Body thrust for the first 15' or so, you should be able to support your weight with the one hand, and with the VT or Distel removing the slack is as simple as giving the slack a snap in the down direction. After the initial 15' you can footlock the line and take the slack out pretty well.

Nick, is that a silvery slack tender I see there? Mine is working sweet!

Climb Safe!
Icabod

Originally posted by Icabod

Nick, is that a silvery slack tender I see there? Mine is working sweet!

Climb Safe!
Icabod

It sure is. Going on 2 years of service and I LOVE it!!!! A little birdie (where's Dietly?) made me another batch and I've given a few out.

love
nick