DDRT without footlocking?

[ForTheArborist]

I've been using the SRT up until now. I'm interested in the DDRT, and after a bunch of looking over the system variations on this site and elsewhere online, I have a question.

Do you DRT climbers always have to foot lock some how? I like the idea of just pulling down the rope nonstop until I'm there without bothering with my feet.

 

[epicklein22]

I've been using the SRT up until now. I'm interested in the DDRT, and after a bunch of looking over the system variations on this site and elsewhere online, I have a question.

Do you DRT climbers always have to foot lock some how? I like the idea of just pulling down the rope nonstop until I'm there without bothering with my feet.

Aww, the old school way. There is no need to footlock and if you are feeling spunky, no need for a knot.

Just tie a blake's hitch or tautline and hump your way up. That is how I do it. Might be "slow" and "caveman", but simple and efficient if you have the strength and good form.

The guys I work with call climbing without a knot "free pulling". Just tie yourself to your saddle and start pulling, you just can't let go!

 

[ForTheArborist]

The guys I work with call climbing without a knot "free pulling". Just tie yourself to your saddle and start pulling, you just can't let go!

That's about the fastest way there is if the height is maybe 30 feet or less. Truthfully I shouldn't agree with this technique, but I'll just say my disclaimer now and I will not teach anyone this technique. Also if my assistants see me using this, then I'll give them a big warning about it before I rocket up.


I was also thinking this to. Instead of using a prussic in the DRT, use an simple ascender. I doubt there's a whole lot of humping then. It would basically be free pulling since the rope may pass through the mechanical device without resistance unlike the prussic knot.

I'd go try these all out right now, but I'm stuck behind the desk all day today.

 

[Tree Pig]

I seldom footlock or even bodythrust, most of the time I just hand over hand for 5 or 6 pulls tend some slack and repeat until desired height is reached. Not the most energy efficient method but it will get you there. Just dont plan on using it for real long climbs unless your a monkey. and of course your limited to climbing right next to the trunk for the most part.

 

[ForTheArborist]

I seldom footlock or even bodythrust, most of the time I just hand over hand for 5 or 6 pulls tend some slack and repeat until desired height is reached. Not the most energy efficient method but it will get you there. Just dont plan on using it for real long climbs unless your a monkey. and of course your limited to climbing right next to the trunk for the most part.

What's holding you while you tend the slack?

 

[thepheniox]

His other hand is holding the rope. I just have someone else tend my slack if I'm humping up the tree. Really you have to tie a knot at some point. I just don't get why anyone would free climb. It's so simple to do it safely.

 

[Tree Pig]

What's holding you while you tend the slack?

His other hand is holding the rope. I just have someone else tend my slack if I'm humping up the tree. Really you have to tie a knot at some point. I just don't get why anyone would free climb. It's so simple to do it safely.

Yeah man hold position with one hand tend with other... or as he stated have someone tend slack from the ground, just make sure you tell them to pull down. If they pull sideways they can pull you away from the tree which can be a pain in the arse.

 

[ForTheArborist]

Well, I'd be glad to put all of this to use on the ropes right this minute, but I have to settle for a flat arse for right now. No way to get out of this desk, and it's a nice day. It's 62 degrees right now. Perfect tree working weather. I'll be at this desk until 11 tonight.

 

[802climber]

solo foot ascender..

btw the CMI cam is easier on tree ropes

 

[the Aerialist]

A.R.T. makes "free pulling" a science, not an art ...

Aww, the old school way. There is no need to footlock and if you are feeling spunky, no need for a knot.

Just tie a blake's hitch or tautline and hump your way up. That is how I do it. Might be "slow" and "caveman", but simple and efficient if you have the strength and good form.

The guys I work with call climbing without a knot "free pulling". Just tie yourself to your saddle and start pulling, you just can't let go!

"Free Pulling" sounds dangerous to me without some sort of backup.

Essentially what the ascender/decenders from ART (LockJack & SpiderJack) and some other mechanical devices like the Yates or Ushiba rope grabs, allow you to do ~ "free pull" your way up the tree, but with a mechanical backup in case you "let go".

The rope "flows" through the device as you ascend. No tending of the tail needed, at least after the first 10 feet or so. Once you are up that high the weight of the rope itself is enough to allow the device to just follow you up. Compared to tending a knot even with a micro pulley to advance it, these devices are far more efficient and natural. I also have a Unicender but find it takes some tending, at least with 13mm rope, with 11 or 12mm it would probably "flow" the rope better.

Once you have some branches to help you climb the devices stay with you without tending. If I need to go up a rope without help from the tree (i.e. straight up) I'll use my Kong double handled ascender w/ CMI Pantin for footlocking. Not a Wraptor for completely effortless ascents, but easy enough for an old man like me.

 

[treeclimber101]

"Free Pulling" sounds dangerous to me without some sort of backup.

Essentially what the ascender/decenders from ART (LockJack & SpiderJack) and some other mechanical devices like the Yates or Ushiba rope grabs, allow you to do ~ "free pull" your way up the tree, but with a mechanical backup in case you "let go".

The rope "flows" through the device as you ascend. No tending of the tail needed, at least after the first 10 feet or so. Once you are up that high the weight of the rope itself is enough to allow the device to just follow you up. Compared to tending a knot even with a micro pulley to advance it, these devices are far more efficient and natural. I also have a Unicender but find it takes some tending, at least with 13mm rope, with 11 or 12mm it would probably "flow" the rope better.

Once you have some branches to help you climb the devices stay with you without tending. If I need to go up a rope without help from the tree (i.e. straight up) I'll use my Kong double handled ascender w/ CMI Pantin for footlocking. Not a Wraptor for completely effortless ascents, but easy enough for an old man like me.

For you .......anything in a tree could turn dangerous ... You could be climbing a viburnum and possibly cut your hand off ...

 

[TreeAce]

I seldom footlock or even bodythrust, most of the time I just hand over hand for 5 or 6 pulls tend some slack and repeat until desired height is reached. Not the most energy efficient method but it will get you there. Just dont plan on using it for real long climbs unless your a monkey. and of course your limited to climbing right next to the trunk for the most part.

Thats basically how I do it myself. I like to get a pantin involved for any climbs that are long enough. Back in the day I never tied off until I was well under way. This was largely due to the fact that what climbed on back then was a taughtline. That knot was more work to tend than it was worth. Climbing was more than twice as easy if you didnt have to fight your slack through a taughtline. Now a days its a different ball game. With slack tender pulleys and the VT or a distel or even the blakes its just SSOOOO much better. I no longer move in a tree without being tied off with a proper hitch, but I used to. Just like someone else said...'ya just cant let go" LOL..so true. Just not an option. Reminds me a time , musta been back in '82 ( LOL ,kidding) but anyway I was climbing cowboy style and had about 5or 6 more feet to go before I could toss my safety around branch and suddenly notice a big a.ss spider sitting on my left forearm. I mean this sucker was big, WAY to big to be on me. I hate spiders. But there was NOTHING I could do but keep pulling, saftey off, and then brush ole spider off my arm. He never bite me or nothin but it was VERY uncool. But letting go was NOT an option.

 

[the Aerialist]

That's true for all of us ...

For you .......anything in a tree could turn dangerous ... You could be climbing a viburnum and possibly cut your hand off ...

Well, as I often say: "Anytime both feet are off the ground at the same time there is an element of danger" which would apply in a tree as well. The fact that I have climbed trees for over fifty years and not been hurt is a pretty good track record though.

Life is full of danger to the unwary. You could be using your vibrator and give yourself or your "partner" hemorrhoids ~ just saying' ...

 

[Zale]

Well, as I often say: "Anytime both feet are off the ground at the same time there is an element of danger" which would apply in a tree as well. The fact that I have climbed trees for over fifty years and not been hurt is a pretty good track record though.

Life is full of danger to the unwary. You could be using your vibrator and give yourself or your "partner" hemorrhoids ~ just saying' ...

Fifty years? Really? Show me the black and white photos!

 

[Slvrmple72]

Insert disturbing mental picture here

 

[the Aerialist]

... Now a days its a different ball game. With slack tender pulleys and the VT or a distel or even the blakes its just SSOOOO much better...

From a safety standpoint any type of fall protection is better than "free pulling", but with knots you still must tend the tail of the rope to advance the knot. Today's best mechanical devices eliminate that, no footlocking or two handed operation is needed. You can just climb.

 

[the Aerialist]

What kid doesn't love to climb trees?

Fifty years? Really? Show me the black and white photos!

I guess I've always loved climbing trees. I can remember a Maple that I would climb to the very top of when I was probably 10 years old or so. No photos of me in a tree that I know of from that era though.

 

[treeclimber101]

I guess I've always loved climbing trees. I can remember a Maple that I would climb to the very top of when I was probably 10 years old or so. No photos of me in a tree that I know of from that era though.

Listen we all climbed trees momo , it part of being a child , but I don't go and say I have been climbing trees for 30 years jeeeeeeezzzzuuuussssssss........ I think your were dropped down a flight of stairs as a baby , or maybe under water for a minute or two because theres def. some damage there ....Partner

 

[TreeAce]

Lol. Ya dude, climbing trees as a child doesn't count. What are you thinking?!?! Are you really trying to be serious?
Lmao....wait until my 10 year old finds out she had 3 years experience as a climber! I better keep it on the down low cuz she may want more allowance.

 

[NCTREE]

i guess all those years as a kid climbing the pine tree in the back yard to hide my weed payed off.