Unanchoring Climbing Kits

Question

Now before I say anything, yes I checked this discussion:

Are there official mechanics for how a climbing kit gets used in play, or is it DM discretion?

It didn't have the answer I was looking for, because it's a different question. That question is about having proficiency. Since the PHB mentions nothing about proficiency, I'm going to assume it has no associated proficiency, like using any other mundane equipment. Additionally, the only answer in that question is a simple repeat of the PHB text that I've included here.

I know the PHB says

Climber's Kit. A climber's kit includes special pitons, boot tips, gloves, and a harness. You can use the climber's kit as an action to anchor yourself; when you do, you can't fall more than 25 feet from the point where you anchored yourself, and you can't climb more than 25 feet away from that point without undoing the anchor.

Here's my question:

Now, I assume that's saying you can anchor yourself anywhere you can reach, i.e. 5ft around you for medium or small creatures. What's not clear is how to undo the anchor. Do you have to be within that 5ft again, or 25ft? Do you have to also spend an action?

For example, if you wanted to use this kit on initiative, would you be spending an action to anchor, then move up that distance, then next turn undo the anchor as an action to move up more? If so, you can't really use it safely during combat to climb.

This is different than the other question because while the title suggests it's about mechanics, the question itself is a different one than this.

Answer 1

Unanchoring at 25ft should be fine.

The item description doesn't specify anything, so it's implied safely climbing a sheer cliffside in DnD is meant to function "realistically".

As such the harness (and it's rope connection to the original anchor) are what keep you from falling / moving away further than 25ft in any direction. Climbing higher and subsequently placing and attaching to a new anchor would be the way to go. Then climb down and unhook the previous piton. Unhooking and rehooking would be two separate actions in this case. Safety takes time

Climbing during combat is never safe if you're an active target. Constantly anchoring and unanchoring would indeed make you an easy target.

However, there are at least three ways I can think of to go around this:

1. Leave the anchor, just use the gloves and boots. Simple as that, if using the kit for an easier climb without the safety of the anchor is fine by you (or your GM). That way you can still spend your action dodging or attacking.
2. Don't speed-climb. Stick to your safety anchor and use it as it was intended. If you're not in a full rush you can take your time, spend some turns dodging or attacking, maybe even blinding your foes before climbing further past the reach of your anchor.
3. Taking the time to climb the proper way. Attach an anchor, climb up, attach another, then climb back down to disconnect it. Then you are free to climb above the second to anchor a third

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