Gaffed Climbing Line

[Sep]

On monday I just got a brand new 150' hank of safety blue which was eye spliced, on thursday I did my first removal with it. Well at about 65" feet as I was repelling from my tie in and nicked my rope with my gaff. Man was I mad!!! I always keep aware of where my climbing line is in relation to my feet, I redirect the tail away from my feet where I can. I don't need any more 60" crabapple ropes right now!! Any tips to avoid this, aside from paying better attention ?

Thanks Sep

 

[BigJohn]

I would say slow down. Be more aware of what you are doing and your surroundings. Its one thing to be out of control and go like hell another do things gracefully, consistantly, and efficiently makeing every move count. I going down is one fastest things we can do in a tree but costs are high. Such as the rope you gaffed the split tails or cord you burn up, the bumps and bangs and so on. Think of other ways to make up time. In my opinion nothing will make you faster than confindence, consistency in what you do and knowing what your going to next. I don't think your problem is gaffing your rope. I'm sorry I don't know of a technique here in this situation.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by Sep
nicked my rope with my gaff!! Any tips to avoid this, aside from paying better attention ?

Leave the gaffs in the bag unless you really need them. If you're tied in at the top of the tree, do you need gaffs? If you rely on gaffs to maneuver on removals, are you getting any better at maneuvering on prune jobs without them?

 

[NeTree]

What Guy said... kinda.

Gaffs are ok on removals, but I usually don't wear them even then unless I have to. I find my feet are happier at the end of the day without them.

How are you rapelling? Are you using an 8 or are you sliding down on your hitch?

I clip an 8 to my right side D (since I'm a righty) and use that. Clipping it there also puts the line away from my feet... and gaffs, if I'm using them.

Oh, get any pics?

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I use dull gaffs.
They work fine and I don't tear up my pants, boots, and ropes.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by Mike Maas
I use dull gaffs.

Now there's a man who's wise in the ways of proper gear usage!:angel:

 

[NeTree]

Originally posted by Mike Maas
I use dull gaffs.

And they don't "stick in" as much, either.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Plan the rap first.

Flake out the line and make sure it is not coming under you, but out and past the break hand.

Shake it a little as you go doen to flake out the hockles

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
Or change your hitch/ rope/ whatever necessary so you do not have hockles. They are unneccessary and intolerable in my opinion. If you are dealing with hockling rope, you are doing something wrong.

Or not on a very long pitch. Over 50 feet all my ropes twist some.

 

[Dobber]

Put a carabiner at the side slightly towards the back of your saddle, run your rope through it, changes your attachment point and hangs behind you instead of at your feet. You can still draw up slack through your prusik micro pully set up, and the weight of the rope pulls it through your biner.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Dull gaffs???

 

[NeTree]

Not dull, but I don't like them razor-sharp, either. They get too hard to pull out. Or maybe I'm just too fat...

 

[BigJohn]

I try to keep mine as sharp as I can. When I am done sharpening a pair they will cut you. I never had a problem with them sticking in. I'm no lightweight at 215. If you go around kicking your going have problems with them sticking and you knees down the road. I agree with not using the gaffs if you don't need them. I get some looks and coments at work when I don't running for the hooks when I see removal on the paperwork.

 

[NeTree]

215#? You ARE a lightweight!

240ish over here

 

[MasterBlaster]

I'm with Big John, I keep 'em as sharp as I can, and I don't stomp into the tree, I step.

They stick every time.

And they don't get 'stuck'.

 

[BigJohn]

Well maybe I'm a bit more than 215, my 32 inch wranglers are getting tight. I'd better get start trimming down for the competition if I want a chance.

 

[NeTree]

It's all good... I don't need help moving BIG wood around!

 

[Lumberjack]

Heck I wear 38".


Carl

 

[wiley_p]

I'm with Butch on this one keep your gaffs sharp and all you need to do is just lightly poke around until you go to rope a 35' top out of a wolfy second growth fir then you'll want to sink them baby's in just as deep as they'll go put your mouthguard in and snap back and forth some wondering the whole time if those boy's on the ground think it's funny to lock that rope up like that.

 

[MasterBlaster]