Retrieving the throwline from a branch that's away

I'm finally getting my throwing good enough to actually get up a few levels (that's not the right word, but I can't think write, I mean right, now). So now another question comes up.

I'm hanging from or standing on one branch. The next likely target is a branch off to the side of me. I can get the throwline over it OK, but the weight is out of reach. How do you folks retrieve the throwline in these cases? Especially when you've tossed the line onto a branch in a neighboring tree?

Thanks for all the help so far. Without you folks I'd still be on the ground.

Eric

Check out the grapnel hook from New Tribe. It's about 15 bucks. Don't leave the ground without it.

You can attach this hooker to your throwline and lower it so that it will snag your throwbag and pull it back.

or

You can toss it in a roundhouse throw to try and grab it and pull it back.

It is just too cool of a tool not to have anyway.




See you at the top,
Dan

If it's close enough (maybe 20'), I'll tie a small knot in the tail end of my climbing line and swing that out there to grab it. Sometimes it works.


If that fails, I have this SWEEEEET grappel with bendable/resettable arms on it that I can swing out there. That'll get it every time.

love
nick

Thanks folks. I knew I could count on you.

Two questions from your suggestions.

1) Dan wrote of tying it to the throw line. How do you do that?

2) I have this image of me tossing out the grappel, missing the throwline/bag, and getting it caught on a branch off to my side and below me. How do you avoid that?

I like to use the method with swing a knot at the dangling bag too. It dosen't always work but when it does you feel really cool. I always want to get out my indiana jones hat!

I've the same grappnel as Nick, it's a must have.

I'd say get a grappnel, but work on your Indiana Jones maneuver anyhow.

Climb Safe!
Icabod

Don't know if it's the same as Icabod's Indiana Jones, but Abe teaches a trick where he sends out a loop of rope to snag the bag. He calls this the Will Rogers technique. I've tried it a few times with limited success. I also use the New Tribe grappnel, but my prefered method is trying to get the bag to swing over to me.

If you don't mind carrying a couple of extra throwbags, try this: Tie one bag (or a Grapnel) at the end of the 2nd throwline, then tie another throwbag about 8 inches back from the end. When you swing this contraption and release it, the two weights will naturally revolve around each other and make a tangled mess when they hit the target. That should be enough to bring it all back to you.

Regards,
-Knothead

I was able to improvise a grapnel with a bolt, two nuts, two washers and coat hanger wire sandwiched between. I prefer making my own throw weights and grapnels because they're so easily lost.

Regards,
JimK