knot advice

[Abel Excavating]

Im new to this site, and fairly new to climbing. I climb srt and with spurs. If possible when I use spurs i throw a line in tree as a added safety. What I need to know is if there is a good way to tie my line in above me that i can carry down the tree with me as I cut. I have my own way but was wanting some advice from the pros. Thanks

 

[Pelorus]

My brain shorted out and shut down at around 11:30, so I'm not too sure what you mean; are you referring to blocking down the spar as you descend, or something else? Running bowline (on climbing line) choked around the spar + a lanyard as a secondary tie-in is what I do.

 

[beastmaster]

My brain shorted out and shut down at around 11:30, so I'm not too sure what you mean; are you referring to blocking down the spar as you descend, or something else? Running bowline (on climbing line) choked around the spar + a lanyard as a secondary tie-in is what I do.

What I do too.

 

[derwoodii]

when blocking down, flip line at your waist level while climbing line as 2nd back up set down at yer knee level around the bough and they both move at the same time.

And you'll best have an observer keep and eye upon your saw cuts placement

 

[Abel Excavating]

Thanks yall! I was refering to a line that I could descend from if needed. Tho
ugh two flip lines are a good idea.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I think that's what we're all talking about. Flipline 6~8 " below cut, climb line below . I use my petzl rig, but you can use a splittail, prussik, whatever you like.

 

[Guran]

Instead of choking the spar with a running bowline, I've started to use my cambium saver with a prussik and a small ring.
Plus my steel core flipline....

 

[VA-Sawyer]

Kinda hard to tie in above yourself when you are cutting the tree off shoulder high.

 

[Guran]

I guess I was unclear in my descripition. Sorry.

Instead of using only the climbing line and choke it around the stem (correct word?) I use my cambium saver as my second safety tie in point.
Not talking about rigging or having the CS high up as a TIP. Maybe a picture will better explain it.
Lanyard above and the CS just below:
View attachment 283725

 

[Pelorus]

Guran, your large/small ring choker won't actually be able to snug up aound a smaller spar, like a running bowline, will it? (The small ring won't fit through the large ring?). I might be missing something in the photo. Just wondering.

 

[Guran]

You're absolutel right Pelorus. :biggrin:
I did'nt have a better picture. The one below is how I how set it up:
View attachment 283735
I adjust the prussik on the cambium saver as I climb so that it will choke good and snug around the stem.
I also have a flip line. I feel really safe and comfortable with this set up. If you need to descend really quick by some reason you only have to release you fli line or lanyard and down you go.....
( I use a klemheist as a friction hitch.)

 

[Pelorus]

Is the green-yellow-orange strap the same strap? I dunno, but it seems like a more complicated set up than using a running bowline. What is that pink line up to?
I dunno, but it seems a little bit complicated, and I am wondering what is the advantage of that set up instead of just a running bowline?

 

[Guran]

The green and orange parts is the "normal" part of the cambium saver. The yellow part is the prussik I slide on the CS to adjust the lenght of the small and the big rings so that it will choke snug around the stem.

Complicated.... well maybe it takes a minute to set it up with a micro pulley and a VT or other friction hitch. But you will have more stability as you have it as a second lanyard connected to both of you side D-rings, compared if you only have the climbing line choked around the stem with a running bowline or similar.
Works good for me.
I have tried to use a running bowline as a back up also. I used a Gri-Gri as a brake & descender. Not too bad. But I kinda prefer an adjustable cambium saver.

 

[joezilla11]

In the working climber DVD Gerry uses a similar setup, an adjustable false crotch. Same as yours except his adjusted thru a buckle instead of a prussik. He seemed like a big fan of it.

 

[beastmaster]

For the last few years I have been using a gri gri. I have a caribiner on the end of my rope, wrap it around the tree and snap it back on its self. I keep it low around my knees. If I somehow cut my lanyard it would save me. If I was injured or cut myself I could quickly come down the single rope on the gri gri. If I'm taking big pieces I might use the hinge on top the stick to decent, but I stay lanyard in. Im not above rappelling down the tipping line in some cases.
The cambiem saver as a choker method looks nice and is pretty safe looking. Will it hold when there is no tension on it?

 

[Guran]

Beast, your set up with the Gri-Gri is exactly like what I'm using also. :msp_smile:
But I've started to use the set up with the cambium saver more and more. Gives me more stability sideways. And work as a second lanyard too.
I adjust it with the prussik as I climb so that the two rings allmost meets. I have kicked out with the spurs a couple of times and the cabium saver grabs instantly. Feels really safe.
I know a guy who only uses two lanyards when climbing with spurs. I saw him kicked out once and it was a "close shave". He fell and scratched against the stem a couple of feets. With the CS it grabs instantly when you put a load on it.
Guran.

 

[Abel Excavating]

So what yall are saying is that I have quite a few options. Thanks for all the ideas!

 

[Carburetorless]

You can set a running bowline above you to descend on. You can either leave long enough tail on it to pull it down as you move down or tie your throw line to it. Just be sure to pull it down, and reset it below your cut before you chunk the piece down, it's easy to forget when you're busy.