Above your TIP?/Hanging in the smallwood.

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by Burnham
So how are you going about it, Rich? And how much above your TIP are you getting? I think this is some of the funnest climbing, too.

This is something on the newer side to me. I am just 5 or maybe 10 ft. above my TIP....so far. Mostly using my lanyard and small branches to work from. For some reason that I can't put my finger on there is an incredible amount of freedom and uniqueness at working in the tip of the tree.

 

[Burnham]

OK, Rich, I'm wondering if you are placing any protection anchors above your TIP. I assume you are climbing on a more or less standard DdRT system, so this would most likely take the form of an artificial redirect, placed every such-and-such feet away from your TIP. The objective would be to keep down the chances of a fall being long enough to generate the forces that might hurt you or your TIP.

I understand exactly what you are saying about the uniqueness of that situation...perhaps it comes from the higher degree of motion that is created in the tree by your movements...I also think the fact that you are outside, or near to the edge of the canopy gives a much greater sense of having gotten up high, with resulting unimpeded views out emphasizing it all. It's a grand thing .

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by Burnham
OK, Rich, I'm wondering if you are placing any protection anchors above your TIP. I assume you are climbing on a more or less standard DdRT system, so this would most likely take the form of an artificial redirect, placed every such-and-such feet away from your TIP. The objective would be to keep down the chances of a fall being long enough to generate the forces that might hurt you or your TIP.

I haven't done this a whole lot. I just make sure that my lanyard is used at all times. When I progress to the point where I am higher than the 10 ft. or so, I will use your suggestion of anchor points! Thanx, Rich.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

i always imagine what would a mountain climber do on a sheer cliffside, going above anchor/TIP. S/he would put in more carabiners to run the line thru, to form a catch at that point to minimize fall (i think).

So i choke in slings, and redirect thru there. Sometimes my TIP is 4' higher than me, but i'm out 15' etc. i still put in redirect, if there is no other branching to put in redirect; i place one on the limb i'm on. If that is behind me, i use a long sling that doesn't interfere with what ever support i can get from the angle of the line, but will limit my travel in a 'fall incident'. If redirect on same limb as me is in front of me it can be lower; and extra stability while in that working zone, might be had by clipping saddle to 1 or both legs of LifeLine (raising legs of support to 4 or 6 from the standard 2 in DdRT); also if tight i can lean on the line etc.

 

[Burnham]

Exactly, Spydy. Your point about location in relation to your TIP is right on...you don't have to actually be above the TIP to be exposed to a hazardous fall. The thought of a pendulum swing into the main lead of the tree from 15 feet out on a lateral should be sobering. When working out on the tips of round topped old growth conifers like Ponderosa pine or Noble fir this comes into play, much like I imagine the structure of some hardwoods would dictate.

FBerkel is describing the technique accurately, too...I like your point about axial loading of the limb carrying the redirects.