pre-noob Q: descending

Mainly looking to learn to climb for utilitarian reasons more then sport. (tree work and the such) Sport climbing to follow.

If I climb to the top (or 'my' top) and rappel/descend down, how does one retrieve that top anchor point?
I can see with a tree (or like) using a luggage tag style cinch around a branch with a thin messenger style line to pull the loop part down. (if that conveyed well)

Figure its a rather broad question with multiple options.

TIA,
Splat

In sport climbing there will usually be preinstalled something (chains, rings, cold shuts, mussy hooks, etc) to serve as the top point for the last rappel or lower. They stay there, and you don't retrieve them. But don't use them for top-roping or other climbing! They're for that last time down, and that's all.

For climbing where there isn't a pre-installed something you're usually sacrificing something to be left as the anchor. Often just a couple feet of webbing or cord and a rap ring or quick link. Four or five bucks, if you buy really good stuff at full price. Not a big deal.

It is a good idea to get some competent guidance/training/etc before going out and trying any of that.

Climbers don't typically use retrievable anchors, so you may not get much helpful advice from MP, unless one of the genuine tech gurus gets interested in your question.

On the other hand, canyoneers seem obsessed with avoiding permanent anchors.
You might get better advice from one of their forums. Maybe try Bogley?

bogley.com/forum/forumdispl…

Thanks guys!

So its pretty much what I figured.

In order to not leave anything behind you have two choices. In tree work usually people climb on some kind of friction hitch to ascend/descend. This consists of the coil of rope on the ground , going up and over your tie in point(usually just a branch) so with the end of the rope going over your tie in point you take that end of the rope and tie a knot (likes figure 8 on a bight) but leave a long tail off the knot so you can use that tail to tie your friction hitch to the other end of rope that goes to the ground. So if you want to rappel you can simply put pressure on the friction hitch and go down.( keep in mind doing it this way as you rap the rope will grind on the tree branch over your tie in point with your full body weight on it causing wear on the rope. When you get to the ground you simply untie your hitch and pull the rope down. Or you can do a rock climbing style rappel where you untie your friction hitch and throw the excess rope until it hits the ground and use an ATC device to rap down the two strands of rope(meaning no grinding action of the rope over the branch tie in point and when you get down you do the same thing and just pull one end of the rope down over the branch

the only thing i can add is if your going to be climbing Doug Firs or the like never use a lifeline around a branch, always go around the trunk !

research your tree species before you start climbing

Check out retrieval rings and clips that arborists use. 

Simplest method is a just clipping the rope through the anchor and rappelling twin line. That however requires a twin line capable device and maintaining equal control of both lines at all times. The amount of gear left behind really depends on the anchor type whether it be a sling, a bolt, or a trad anchor. 

If you want to be a little sketchy you can throw the rope over a thick tree as long as the direction idol is safe and then rappel as stated above. 

The common canyoneering method way requires leaving a loop of webbing with a rappel ring and then using a carabiner block. If you buy webbing in bulk and get the cheap rappel rings this is pretty inexpensive.

I can mock up a couple set ups if you like.

There are many options. To descend a tree there is a convenient tool - https://www.petzl.com/INT/en/Professional/Anchors/TREESBEE Using it to the manual one will retrieve both rope and treesbee. For sure there are a lot of cheaper analogues (including DIY stuff) around.