Looking to go "spurless"

[Timberdonkey_059]

All,

I am a fairly experienced spur climber (not a professional by any means) that currently does removals on my property and for family and friends. However I am interested in doing some MRS and SRS climbing moving forward, for fun and for some future pruning.

My question is can I use my traditional Weaver 4D style saddle (no rope bridge) for now just to learn the techniques? Can I add a single or double rope bridge to this saddle? Or am I SOL until I upgrade to a saddle that has one standard?

**I have an experienced climber and arborist willing to properly train me on both MRS & SRS once I get the gear**

 

[ZinTrees]

4D will work, you will want to upgrade to a rope bridge (I use the notch sentinel, got it for $100 off a friend)

for starters, id say get a good 16 strand rope, learn the blakes hitch, then upgrade once your comfortable to a 24 strand rope, and hitchclimber setup, add a rope wrench and foot ascender for SRT

 

[TheJollyLogger]

A 4d will work fine used one for years... getting started your arms and legs will wear out long before your butt falls asleep...

But you will want to upgrade as soon as feasible. I promise you will wonder why you waited so long, even for spur climbing.

 

[ZinTrees]

A 4d will work fine used one for years... getting started your arms and legs will wear out long before your butt falls asleep...

But you will want to upgrade as soon as feasible. I promise you will wonder why you waited so long, even for spur climbing.

I started with a rock harness, then a notch sentry, now a sentinel, rope bridge and lower D's are a must, leg loops even nicer

 

[Del_]

I've got a used Weaver saddle with bridge and leg straps I'd sell cheap. I'm NE of Atlanta.

 

[Timberdonkey_059]

I am actually picking up a rope runner pretty cheap from a buddy so curious on playing with that on the 4D saddle as well.

 

[Timberdonkey_059]

I've got a used Weaver saddle with bridge and leg straps I'd sell cheap. I'm NE of Atlanta.

Pics and price? Feel free to DM.

 

[Del_]

Pics and price? Feel free to DM.

I can get them in the next 24 hours.

Are you close to Atlanta?

 

[ZinTrees]

I am actually picking up a rope runner pretty cheap from a buddy so curious on playing with that on the 4D saddle as well.

thats gonna be awesome I bet

also, what sort of lanyard do you have? ive been looking at getting a wire core for large stems, I can get some pictures of my long lanyard if you would like

 

[Timberdonkey_059]

I can get them in the next 24 hours.

Are you close to Atlanta?

Nah Im actually in Michigan

 

[Timberdonkey_059]

thats gonna be awesome I bet

also, what sort of lanyard do you have? ive been looking at getting a wire core for large stems, I can get some pictures of my long lanyard if you would like

You think it'd be fine to use a beaner and attach it to the 2 D rings that way? Obviously maneuverability would be limited compared to a rope bridge.

I actually use an old school buck strap currently so a new adjustable lanyard is on the list of things to get. will be much more convenient plus i want to use it over the shoulder to tend the rope runner while ascending. So many options out there now days and Idk what I'm goona get yet. With being more of a hobby i want to stay cost effective but im such a sucker for cool gear lol

 

[ZinTrees]

beaner will be a-ok to connect the rings

ive got a 15ft bluestreak 2 in 1, its awesome on spurs as I can flip it easy, I normally take my climbing system off my main line and put it on that lanyard if I use it, since the prusik it has binds like crazy

get a chest harness, ive tried the lanyard over the shoulder thing, for a chest harness I use a webbing sling behind my shoulders, and a biner connecting both ends up front, cheap and easy + I have a webbing sling to rig with in a pinch



my main lanyard:
updated to 8mm HRC, in a 6 wrap distel, tight eye splice, and hitchclimber pulley, 35 or 40ft samson velocity

 

[Timberdonkey_059]

beaner will be a-ok to connect the rings

ive got a 15ft bluestreak 2 in 1, its awesome on spurs as I can flip it easy, I normally take my climbing system off my main line and put it on that lanyard if I use it, since the prusik it has binds like crazy

get a chest harness, ive tried the lanyard over the shoulder thing, for a chest harness I use a webbing sling behind my shoulders, and a biner connecting both ends up front, cheap and easy + I have a webbing sling to rig with in a pinch



my main lanyard:
updated to 8mm HRC, in a 6 wrap distel, tight eye splice, and hitchclimber pulley, 35 or 40ft samson velocity

View attachment 922026

OOH I like that set-up!

 

[ZinTrees]

OOH I like that set-up!

it does not like to flip up a large stem, but its friggen awesome every other time, daisy chain the tail, forget its there


also, since its got the triple attachment pulley you can use it as a short climbing system, I use it frequently to hang between two tie ins



want me to send you a "parts list" for it?

 

[Timberdonkey_059]

it does not like to flip up a large stem, but its friggen awesome every other time, daisy chain the tail, forget its there


also, since its got the triple attachment pulley you can use it as a short climbing system, I use it frequently to hang between two tie ins



want me to send you a "parts list" for it?

Please do lol

 

[TheJollyLogger]

We climbed for years on a single biner on the middle 2 Ds, you'll be fine for now. Just remember low and slow as you get used to it.

 

[ZinTrees]

I would advise finding a cheaper rope, velocity is super expensive but very nice for a lanyard

if you buy the 120ft roll, its almost the same price as 35ft, and you get 75ft to play with when you cut it down

hitchclimber kit

velocity "hot"

 

[Timberdonkey_059]

We climbed for years on a single biner on the middle 2 Ds, you'll be fine for now. Just remember low and slow as you get used to it.

Absolutely! Thanks man!

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I guess as a follow up, climbing gear has progressed dramatically in the last decade, but the basics remain the same. Most of the advancements have been in comfort and ease of access. Safety is more of a mindset rather than equipment. Give me a sling, a biner and a rope, and I will hip thrust my ass up into the canopy... safely.... may never have kids again, but I'll get up there...

The basics are the same, we just have better tools now... makes it easier which means safer, since fatigue is a huge and unrecognized factor in this industry...

Long and the short of this rambling post is that technique and training will always trump equipment.

 

[Stonewoodiron]

Timberdonkey,
We’re cut from the same cloth apparently. I got off the spurs 2 days ago for the same reasons you listed. I also have a climber coming over for training. I have the weaver 4 d ring saddle too. This is what I bought to have a complete drt/mrt setup (see picture). I’ve been body thrusting up to the 10’ mark quite often for the past few days- even took a saw, wrapped a secondary lanyard around the tree, and pruned a branch. I just thought a kit was easy and it was from an arborist supplier. I have not bought any life safety equipment from eBay or Amazon! I’m sure there’s good stuff on those sites but I don’t know exactly how to weed out the bad except maybe by brand. I wish you well in your endeavor! Lots a good experienced folks here willing to help is awesome!