The Pros and Cons of the Girth Hitch (or Larksfoot) Master Point Climbing Anchor
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New things. Climbing is always coming out with new things: new gear, new techniques, new mental models, etc. etc. Come to think of it, that’s the same with pretty much every human discipline. What we do is constantly evolving.
As I’ve written elsewhere, I think we have a responsibility as climbers (and as people, but that’s a different blog post) to be continuous learners. So, when something new-ish comes along (yes, the girth-hitch master point has been around for awhile, but it seems to be in vogue, right now), we have a responsibility to examine it.
That’s what the video does: goes in a bit deeper into the strengths and weaknesses of this anchor type.
Why do I need to bother learning these new techniques? Can’t we just get along with the tried-and-true things that we know work?
Well, to some degree, yes, we don’t have to “learn every new trick.” But if we think a little broader, it’s not hard to come up with reasons to at least understand new tools, techniques, and methods. What if a new climbing partner of yours uses this new anchor as they bring you up to the belay ledge (you are seconding, in this example)? Do you say something to them if this makes you feel unsafe? Are those feelings well founded?
What if you see a dad top roping his kids at the crag using this anchor. Do you say anything for the sake of the children?
And I could go on.
The point is, we don’t climb in a vacuum. Somehow or another, these new techniques are very likely to show up in your immediate vicinity and maybe even on your rope. And while is is probably impossible to keep up to speed with all of the changing gear and methods, I can say with equal conviction that it probably isn’t impossible to stop from being ignorant of literally all of them. We can pick and choose as something peaks our interest. Maybe that climbing partner belays you up from that ledge and you see that new girth hitch anchor and that becomes the spark. You go research it, then.
That are lots of ways to be continuous learners, and with our lives (and often the lives of our loved ones) riding on that knowledge, isn’t there enough motivation to become one?
If you are wondering what I used to construct this anchor int he video, it was Blue Ice Aero ice screws, the Mammut Dyneema Contact Sling 8mm (wide) in various lengths, the Black Diamond HotForge Svrewgate carabiner, and the Petzl Attache (I-beam) carabiner.