Natural crotches v.s. Pulleys

[MasterBlaster]

I've tried my climbing line with a pulley a few times, and I have to say I just didn't like it. I enjoy the friction afforded by a natural crotch and I just don't care for the lack of it when using a pulley.

I have set a pulley when I descended and had to go back up again. The lack of friction then is OUTSTANDING! But I rarely descend from a tree 'til its finished.

And unless its a pine, I usually change my TIP several times, rendering a pulley useless. Whadyado? Pack extra ones around with you? Oh.. I forgot. A lot of you like all the clangy stuff.

Extending the life of the rope? Yea, I'll give you that - it WILL make your ropes last longer. Thats why I do use a pulley when I'm roping with anything bigger than a 1/2" line.

But for climbing?

 

[NeTree]

Tried it, didn't like it. I'm with MB... I kinda like that extra little friction, and haven't seen any damage to a tree from the rope. As for rope wear, I rotate mine yearly, so if the life is shortened, I'm not seeing it anyhow.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

A prediction

Here it is: This thread will follow along the same lines as the "Tautline appreciation" thread. This will divide into the same two camps.

It is very rare that any moving rope goes directly on the tree. Rigging or climbing. Using a FC keeps the friction the same all of the time. If you want friction, use a biner/screwlink combo.

Using a FC in pines would seem to be mandatory if you don't want to pitch coat your ropes. Combining a FC with a slack tender makes for very easy ascents. If you snug up the tail of the friction hitch you can footlock the tail and not have to move your hitch up.

The progressive climbers generally don't ascend with their chainsaws on their saddles. Not carrying all of the poundage makes carrying the ounces a non-factor. Any time that I can save a calorie or two, I do. Basically, I'm a lazy guy. I don't work any harder than I have to.

Tom

 

[Lumberjack]

Use SRT and don't worry with it.


Carl

 

[MasterBlaster]

Carl, SRT ain't the end all to be all.

And TD, when my ropes get sapped-up I wash 'em.

I climb with my saw because my legs are stronger than my arms.

You and your 'progressive climbing' crack me up!

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by MasterBlaster
Carl, SRT ain't the end all to be all.

Well said!!!

 

[Joe]

I don't like climbing on a pulley either.

Joe

 

[treehugger01]

Pullys are ok but i would not mix it with a Massuard tressay however its spelteddd
that combination is too smooth not enuff friction in that system for sure.

 

[MasterBlaster]

"Slip Silde-ing Away!"

 

[Stumper]

Excuse me while I exit this closet. Uhmmm.... I prefer natural crotchs. I guess that means I'm a straight guy. There! I admitted it.

 

[Joe]

I prefer a friction reducing tool. A pulley reduces friction too much for me.

Joe

 

[treehugger01]

For sure MB

 

[MasterBlaster]

These guys use pulleys...

 

[treehugger01]

Originally posted by MasterBlaster
These guys use pulleys...

Lok It's Joe and Rocky

Pulley to rope out wood I just dont do. I need all that friction often I'll even wrap the rope round itself before tying the piece off.
I wish a piece could be invented just where I rope out logs. Whoopie slings are ok but a pully that has adjustable friction almost like a rack for rapelling would be good. Mexicans on the ground no habla "wrap".

 

[MasterBlaster]

Originally posted by treehugger01
Lok It's Joe and Rocky

Pulley to rope out wood I just dont do.

I don't like it either, TH. I just do it when I'm working with a 5/8 or 3/4 line that is in good condition, trying to keep it that way. Them dang big bullropes ain't cheap!

Old ones though, let 'em burn...

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I've met Joe and Brian, and they are both smaller and have more hair (well except for Joe's head).

I'll use a friction saver if I want to run the rope over big wood or thin barked trees, but i won't use it in every situation. My biggest probelm is forgetting that I have it up there, then hearing that "TINK" of the rope passing through.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

When I started using FCs I jammed a few. Then I started to take a little more time to place them carefully in crotches that wouldn't jam. If there is ever a chance of jamming I use a throwline on the rope.

I've been in trees where another climber's rope burned through and girdled the union where I was going to tie in. It was funny to think that both of us knew that that particular place was the best place to work the tree.

Why do people feel so threatened when a different idea is shared? Is anyone forcing people to change? I've never seen anyone put a gun to a climber's head and force them to change. There's getting to be a lot of pis*y attitude instead of a civil discussion. Didn't anyone learn civility? On another thread someone had a nice way of putting this. The same response could be used when talking politics, religion and sex, all you have to say to something that you don't agree with is "That's what you think."

MB,

Care to explain the humor of "progressive"? What descriptor would you use to differentiate between climbers who move forward with their skills and are open to fresh ideas? Then, what would you use to describe their counterparts who blow off any suggestions? Unless a practice is unsafe, go ahead and use it. But when another idea comes along be polite during the discussion.

Tom

 

[MasterBlaster]

Sorry Tom, I did not realize I was being rude. I try my best to be as civil as possible.

My mental pic of your 'progressive climber' is that guy with half of Sherrils inventory clipped to their saddle. I'm a'guessing your mental pic of any other type of climber would have a caveman appearance.

Or, look like me!

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by Tom Dunlap
I've never seen anyone put a gun to a climber's head and force them to change.
I have, their name is OSHA, and other govt agencies. What I read of the stranglehold UK climbers work in is scary.

Unless a practice is unsafe, go ahead and use it. But when another idea comes along be polite during the discussion.
MB: Sorry Tom, I did not realize I was being rude.

So glad you boys can get along and not overreact (for long) when buttons get pushed on this playground.
Tom I think us neanderthals have been civil when other methods are discussed. We do offer a service called a reality check when gearheads seem to waste time with toys, and you gearheads offer us fresh looks at ways to increase efficiency so we can save some energy.

One big happy playground; as long as we listen, your prediction of polarization will not come true.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Take both schools and gain balance and moderation from the usable i think. As the old school is already developed; the new school is always trying to sift through and refine it's parts; but then that dynamics is it's strength.

At one point, going west was new school; as well as using a locking snap or carabiner. i wonder what resistance was met as nylon replaced manilla? Prolly, surely looked like fancy stuff to those set in ways! The slipperriness, the stretch, the small size, the old faithful knots that wouldn't work, the way it took and delivered heat etc. were undoubtedly some of the gripes.

Not all new school will make it, as not all old school has or will; change is the only constant! i think the trick would be not to lose any olde jewels nor new.

Those that pioneer and lead to new lands, should be given full gait to do so safely; and respected for their efforts of surviving beyond the 100 wrong ways to do something, to come back with a few choice ones; that nthe next in line builds on and surprises the other pioneer; so it goes, as the building coral's contributions in layers.

Orrrrrr something like that!
:alien: