How to Build a Tree Anchor

This video shows how to build several different styles of tree anchors. These can be used for rock climbing, rappelling, multipitch climbing, top rope climbing and more. Tree anchors featured are Connecticut Tree Hitch, Bowline on a Bight, Bowline with a Beckett Finish, Shoe lace/square knot, BHK, and Joshua Tree Anchors. #rockclimbing #climbing #rope

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[grahamgrover]

Really great info! You explain and demonstrate very clearly. Thank you!!

[andrewf]

Awesome video! It’s actually the first I’ve seen that shows how to set up a bottom managed system using trees. Another thing to note when using trees is that they are alive and sturdy/well rooted. It might sound obvious to most, but I’ve seen plenty of people at the crag sling an obviously dead tree. I love watching your videos and the vast amount of techniques you employ.

[Sicnus]

Jason got him some chaw for later stashed away. lol. :) Thanks for the vid.

[JREV]

Exceptionally clear video. Thanks for all the great instruction.

[slavapalza]

Excellent video! Thank you, I learned so many new techniques and you explained them very clearly. Nicely done 😁👍

[Needafollower]

Your videos are so helpful to me man! Keep up the excellent work

[Chris-Wernette]

This is super helpful. Thank you for such quality videos! A climb that comes to mind where this would be useful is this one at the New called “Fool Effect” which is 120’ long. MP mentions there are no top anchors to lower off of, because a 70m wouldn’t reach the ground. In this case I think having a second follow and clean, then both walking out and around or finding a lower place in the cliff to rappel is the best bet

[ninjaguy]

Great video! Used everything I learned from your videos this past weekend had lots of fun. Was wondering if you could make a video on how to carry rope especially when it’s 70m long

[poolplayerbrian]

Nice video, and learned a some new things. I noticed a lot of commentary on understanding the condition of the tree before hand. From what I've previously read about using trees as anchors it may be worth doing a follow-up video on general rules of thumb, especially when many of the trees available in a real situation will not be anywhere near as stout as the ones in your yard, or growing right out of a crack in the granite.

[flynryan]

So the "BHK" knot at 14:10 is just an overhand knot on a bite?
I would imagine then a fig8 on a bit would be similar but more bulk. Its just the BHK/BFK I am familiar with is similar to the bunnyears/super8 in which the tail needs to be secured or rolled over the knot.
I am fairly new to setting up toprope anchors, the leaving tail method/Joshua tree, would have saved me so much time/frustration, will use in the future for sure.
Thanks for all your videos and responses, very helpful.

[LCBChef]

You place a lot of faith in over hand knots.

[Rohanish]

Please show tree anchors to fix slack line when someone does not have ratchet to to make it properly tight. thanks.

[pnzrldr]

P.S. "We don't want to have any accidents while we are out with the family..." Truly, we don't want to have any accidents, whether we are out with the family or not!! 🙂

[stlouisphotography]

Concerning monolithic anchors ... what about a thick enough cedar tree on rock, with roots exposed, that feels solid when pushed against, but visually doesn't look so great? And if you are only using the tree for a personal anchor for set up (rather than top rope), can the standards be lowered? I'm talking about situations where I might need a personal anchor to rappel myself over the edge to set up an anchor on the rappel rings that are hard to reach when just leaning over. And after it's set up, I'd disconnect from the personal anchor and rappel down the climbing ropes.

[marchd]

The method I use is to pass a bight around the tree and then do a BHK with the bight from one side and doubleing up the strands from the other (so that you end up with 3 eyes to clip). I haven't seen this method anywhere but seems quite good as can be done anywhere on the rope, requires minimal knowledge of knots and gives you a master point. Am I missing something? Or people simply don't use it as the BHK is slightly bigger than the 2 eye version?

[robinc.]

Love that n rig jtree anchor set up with a static rope! Would hate the feeling of standing so close to a cliff edge unprotected… even though a lot of climbers just walk right up to the cliff without a care in the world 😂

[smackymcproductions]

Everything I'm looking for right now!
Any books you recommend along these lines?
Any books you recommend for multi-pitch?

[Chris-Wernette]

I think one disadvantage of the 2nd and 4th methods (walk around and bowline with Beckett) is it’s a bit harder to adjust the master point location. With method 1 and 3 (sling and Connecticut tree hitch) it seems easier to adjust where the master point is. That way if the tree is 20’ back from the ledge you’re not belaying where the rope is rubbing across the edge and you can’t see your climber.

You can combine this video together with your master point extension video (the munter to the first masterpoint and then tying another overhand at the edge) to get the extended tree anchor setup.

[magicbuddy]

What style locker do you recommend for the mast point?

[tjwentzell]

If not equipped with a gri gri, which specific friction hitch with a sewn prussik would be most appropriate on the guide tether?