2-n-1 flipline

[beastmaster]

I use to work with this kid,(I was only a little older)he also raced professional jet ski. He was so fast in a tree. He would almost free climb the whole tree jumping from branch to branch with his trimmer saw. I would tell the boss," he's going to get hurt one day," and he would tell me I was just jealous. Maybe I was,but it bothered me so much I left that company and he paid really good. Next time I see him a year or so later, he out of business. Kid had a bad fall and messes up his hip and back, the owner had no workers comp. After all the fines, paying doctors bills, the Kid was sueing him for everything he had. Kid never raced no more, lost his sponsors, will walk with a limp for rest of his life.
Two lives at lest ruined because of this. You boss can get into trouble for allowing you to free climb if you were injured also. No one wins but the doctors.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Yeah, I've got one of those too. This was after Ike. I was taking down a couple of pines, and when I got done, the customer was snickering a little a out me always being tied in twice, and how much slower it was because I had to move my lifeline down each time blocking. Told me about this climber he'd used for years, fastest climber in those parts, never used anything but spurs and a buckstrap, didn't mess with ropes and all that ####. I said well, I'd like to meet him, maybe watch him climb. I can always learn something from another climber.
"Oh, well, he's dead, fell out of a tree." Turns out he'd pushed a block off a pine, hadn't cut all the way through, and it peeled, and flipped him right over the top of the stob.
So he did teach me something, even though I never got the chance to meet him.

 

[joezilla11]

sounds like an old story I read about a guy who bragged about being so fast cause he could just climb hand over hand up a rope until the day he slipped and hit the sidewalk.

strata sounds like the 2 in 1 works well for you as you use it often, definitely a tool to make your job easier, which is the point. I alternate with my rope grab/lanyard and climb line but im also a turtle on spurs so I don't think the 2 in 1 would do me much good but maybe the constant alternating of my lines makes me look like im moving faster kinda like walking but moving your arms really fast lol. I use the smc rope grab from wesspur its real solid and works well on any line I put it on just like it says. something about the petzl grabs and how they are made to slip with so much weight just doesn't sit well in the back of my mind. i just don't seem to like petzl products except for the piranha figure 8, that's a cool little product but even that isn't rated for whatever reason.

 

[beastmaster]

I use to really dislike those old by the book, fogy's who had no bend in them, following all the rules, getting in my buisness, telling me how I should climb, to wear my helmet, etc. I couldn't understand why they didn't mind their own and stay out of mine. Now many years later I'm that guy. I also now understand.
When the boss tells everyone from here in out, you got to wear your helmet, all eyes turn to me, and I know what's going throu their minds, same thing that use to go through mine, rat bastard, and I smile that same evil smile i use to see on their faces. It'll be years if ever they learn its because I care and don't want to see no one hurt. I'v seen some bad ones, I'v read of even worse ones. It only takes one mistake in a climbers life to end it. I have a friend in a wheel chair, uses his tongue to drive it. He was in the top of a Euc, his girlfriend went to move the truck not knowing his line was tangled up in the load.
No one says, today I'm going to get f#*ked off. Thats why their called accidents. We play the odds every time we go up a tree, following safety procedures, and doing them even when it's not seemingly needed Might make the difference of going home that day,or losing or changing your life for ever.
You may feel some thing slows you down or the boss might be rushing you to finish, so you take a risk. He may feel bad for a long time if you get hurt or killed, but he'll get over it. you may not. Be safe.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Being prepared for whatever might happen is so important. And that's why when I was checking my little first aid kit that I always carry on my saddle, (and you should too) I went ahead and tossed a Trojan in, just in case...... it could happen....

 

[PassionForTrees]

I have competed in a few competitions and they never had any problems with my clevis for my landyard, but did have a problem with the push button release for the gibs ascender so I had to put a nut and bolt in er! as for some of the comments about not wanting to mess with it in trees, meaning the clevis twist. what do ya think we are doing with it up there, it actually makes it easier to adjust one handed with the twist it is more lined up , that is why they now came out with the ascender with the already turned in that direction for your carabiners, so you can do away with the clevis twist. As for the free climbing stuff, well we all have done it, and did it knowing the risks. I have one very strong piece of advise for you on that matter, become an expert at the throw ball and set your lines high and safe in strong crotches, you will always be tied in but can utilize a few different techniques to ascend using a landyard with your climbing line and with out landyard at times and that will mostly eliminate most of your free climbing but keep in mind there are some times you will still do it on some rare occasions. sometimes I will use two different landyards knowing I might need to do it. I Think the most important thing of all is your sense of security as everyone will have a different comfort level. Be sure , Be comfortable and try things out in YOUR time, you dont want to miss some of the great equipment that is available for us out there, by all means I am no gadget guy but I will try stuff out and work it and find out what is for me that may not ever be for others.

 

[beastmaster]

Being prepared for whatever might happen is so important. And that's why when I was checking my little first aid kit that I always carry on my saddle, (and you should too) I went ahead and tossed a Trojan in, just in case...... it could happen....

I keep hoping.

 

[StrataTree]

Hey thanks guys for posting and sharing your stories. I really appreciate all the advice and insight. It's a huge help to have this wealth of experience at our fingertips. Thanks AS!

...off to work...

 

[Appalachian]

Hey thanks guys for posting and sharing your stories. I really appreciate all the advice and insight. It's a huge help to have this wealth of experience at our fingertips. Thanks AS!

...off to work...

This may solve some of your clevis issues:
Dyneema Loop Runner | SherrillTree.com

 

[StrataTree]

Thanks for that tip, I've used those for rock climbing and mountaineering, I like that use! Cheers

 

[defensiblespace]

I climb almost exclusively tall conifers where I live and work and I use a 2 in 1 for all of my pruning jobs. Most of my pruning requires a higher tie in point than I can hit with a throwline, so I will usually access the tree either with a ladder or by rope and then climb higher on the branches to set a higher TIP. The 2 in 1 allows me to climb the branches safely while always being tied in. I also have my climbing rope already set with my spit tail, so I can take the fixed end off of my rope bridge and throw it up over a limb, retrieve it and reconnect it to the rope bridge. Now I have a line over a higher limb that I can use to ascend if the reach between branches is to far for the 2 in 1. The 2 in 1 also makes a great rope positioning lanyard for limb walking.

 

[Iustinian]

ANSI standards have changed last year

2n1's used to be all that were required to be ANSI compliant, but no longer the case. ANSI changed last year to state that a primary tie in point must be established before any cutting begins. The way in which it is stated is basically that you still need to be double-tied in while cutting, and that a 2n1 is not sufficient as being double tied in, one of the points of attachments MUST be a climbing rope.

And its not always the noobs or non-professionals that are getting hurt by ignoring the rules. One of the better climbers in this state who has been involved with several ISA training seminars over the years was injured recently by running his handsaw through his climbline and he wasn't backed up with a flipline -- broke his femur and burned the flesh off his fingers grasping at ropes on the way down. A friend of mine who has several years of experience recently put his chainsaw through his forearm (requiring major surgery) because he was one handing the saw and the limb dragged his arm into the saw while he was using the tip to complete the cut. Had he been double tied in, he may have maintained better work positioning and avoided the accident.

Just saying, because there are a lot of highly skilled and very talented guys out there who still get hurt. We get very comfortable in this work, put under pressure at times, and sometimes even cocky about it and it can happen to anybody.

Personally, I like to switch things up a bit. I used Gibb's ascenders for years, but that pin can come unscrewed (its a 2part pin, and one can unscrew from the other over time); I like having a one-hand device, and being able to release it under tension, so Gibb's and Micro's are over for me; I've switched to ART Positioner and Trango Cinch, both work well for me, but I use 10mm which I splice myself a new one every couple of months.

I also made my own version of the CE lanyard, but I only use it in very large trees when having a long lanyard is most convenient.

and the clevice is not approved for life support, regardless of the detent feature. Its a convenient idea, but technically not a safe one under our safety guidelines. I use a Exotica swiva-biner to keep things lined up nice.