All of my SRT climbing has been done with the rope anchored at the ground. Now I want to try some climbs with the rope cinched to a limb. The Tree Climbers Companion suggests a running bowline. Are there any other suggestions?

And finally, since it's a little different twist on my usual technique, can you think of any tips that I might want to know?

Many rec climbers use a 3/8" diameter stock life-support rated (not hardware store) screwlink instead of a Running Bowline. The screwlink is attached to the end of the rope with an F8 on a bight. The screwlink serves as the cinch, it is much more secure than using a carabiner. It's recommended to put a pulldown on the cinch, several ways to accomplish: throwline, tie your F8 midline and leave enough tail on the rope to serve as a pulldown etc.
Example of suitable rated screwlink:
Rated delta screwlink

I usually use a Running Bowline, it should be backed, RB is potentially unstable without a backup. Some climbers who use a RB tie the double version for better security: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_bowline
-AJ

I like using an Alpine Butterfly with the loose end threaded through the loop and then the knot is pulled up to cinch on the branch. If the rope not long enough, I'll tie a throwline to the end for a pulldown. But it's hard to beat a screwlink or delta for ease of pulling out the knot cinched to the branch.

Remember to attach your throwline to the rope nice and neat, with hardly any tail flopping around, since, whether you use a loop knot or a delta, you have to be able to pull the throwline/rope junction through it.

Moss / bstewert: I've got a 3/8 quick link on the way for another application. I'm thinking it would work? It has a 10,500 pd rating.

http://www.wesspur.com/Carabiners/clips-links.html

Dietley: For some reason I'm having trouble visioning what you are saying here ??

I envisioned these steps:
1. Set my throwline
2. Pull my rope up and over limb
3. Attach screwlink and cinch up my rope
4. climb
5. On return: attach throwline to screwlink and descend.
6. pull down rope with throwline.

Sorry about that. What I mean is, when you are hauling your rope up with the throwline, often you will have to (or want to) tie your loop knot, or set your delta, around the throwline before you have the leading end of the rope in your hand. In which case, your loop/delta will travel up the throwline as you continue to haul the rope, then the end of the rope will have to thread through it beyond your reach, guided only by the throwline. Does that make more sense?

Often it has to be done because your anchor point is higher than half the length of your rope. Also, if you put your loop/delta around the throwline as soon as the rope end goes over your anchor point, then you won't have tons of rope lying on the ground when everything is cinched up.

By the way, I place my pull-down line when setting my anchor so that I can always pull the rope down, even if I am unable, for whatever reason, to actually climb all the way to the anchor.

Theoretically fine but I've never had my hands on a 3/8 quick link. Does it have less length of the threaded end or less turns to open or close? Delta screwlink has quite a few turns to close or open which enhances security. I like to finger tighten screwlinks so for me more turns to lock is better.
-AJ

Best tip so far.

It also helps control the cinch going up, you can back off and try again for example if you snag it on tree parts going up (been there done that).
-AJ

Dietly: got it.

Moss: I went ahead and ordered a delta screwlink per your recommendation.



How do you back it up?

The bowline is backed up with a Yosemite finish or a double overhand tied around one leg of the loop. I don't have any pics handy, but maybe somebody can post some.

If you're using a delta, you can connect the rope with a scaffold knot and you won't need a backup. Or, you can use a Figure 8 on a bight with the delta, since the delta can't be easily cross-loaded, but even if a 3/8" delta got cross-loaded it's so strong it wouldn't be an issue.

I get it. I thought we might be talking about another kind of backup. I have already learned the Yosemite finish.

Well....I located a Delta link leftover from my rappelling days and tried it out. It all went together easily and then I used the same setup to advance to a higher TIP. All pretty simple and after DOING IT, some of your comments became clearer. One more trick down. Who knows, one of these days you guys may make me into a tree climber yet.

Also, sometimes the oval is too small to allow the rope end through. It may work if you're merely using this as a pull down for a final descent (rather than setting the cinch from the ground) - However, my general philosophy is to make all pull downs reversible - you should be able to pull the rope back up to the limb and re-climb it if necessary. This way if a rope gets stuck or something goes wrong you can try again or climb up and fix the problem.

I've used a screwlink, but prefer the delta. If I'm doing a bowline cinch, after hauling up the line I take the throwline off, tie the running bowline/delta/oval, then re-tie the throwline and haul the whole thing up. Now if I change my mind about going up, I can pull the whole thing back to the ground.

Then I pull the throwline at an angle away from the vertical climbline and attach a throwbag or two at the bottom, just to keep it from becoming a nasty, tangly mess with me and the main rope.

Here is a picture of what I think you guys are talking about.

The motor core represents the TIP branch, I am sure you figured that out.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldtimer1/4508157574/in/set-72157612329504287

A few Good things about this set up is that you can do it from the grown and do not have to pull a lot of rope by using the throw line for pulling and finally you can recover your rope after you reach the TIP and continue with your next set up higher up.