Opinions on thin climbing lines.

[tophopper]

Ive been climbing on Blaze for 6-8 months now, today I got to climb on Poison Ivy and besides the color of it, I think I like it better than the blaze.

 

[Tree Machine]

Same rope different diameter (and color) Blaze is a fat 11 mm. Poison Ivy is 12.5 mm.

 

[Jim1NZ]

How similar do you think Arbormaster and Yale 16 strand is?

 

[tophopper]

Same rope different diameter (and color) Blaze is a fat 11 mm. Poison Ivy is 12.5 mm.

No its not quite the same- the blaze has a much more subtle hand to it.
PI is more rigid, and sherrill lists it as 11.7mm.


Ive never climbed on Arbormaster, but of all 16 strands i have, I feel Yale is the best.

 

[Tree Machine]

I stand corrected on the diameter. I have no place here as I've never tried Poison Ivy, but I do believe one is a bigger version of the other.

I like the Blaze. It's definitely in the top 5 of the 11 mm crowd.

 

[BoesTreeService]

What is the advantage you all feel you get from the smaller lines. I love my 1/2" line, dont see a problem with it. Anyone use ascenders? Comments on those as well, if you are having problems with your hands, they are easier to grilp for sure.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

What is the advantage you all feel you get from the smaller lines.

For one it's smaller and lighter. More of it fits in a rope bag and it's faster and easier to stuff. Splices and knots are smaller and pull through tight crotches easier. The lighter tail weight helps limbs walking.
Modern rock climbing devices are pretty much designed to be used on 11mm ropes, not so much 1/2".
As stated, the line is harder to hold on and pull, but depending on your climbing style, that may not be much of a factor. Most guys get to the top and work down. If you're getting to the top by pulling yourself up a rope with your hands, what size line isn't your biggest question.

 

[Tree Machine]

Well said, my friend. Your biggest question is why do you subject yourself to the agony of traditional DdRT when there are devices that take all the guesswork out of getting around a tree? Accurate, 100% total friction control at a fingertip's touch. Predictable. No difference if the rope is wet or dry.

Devices are out there. There are devices that have yet to be invented. And devices make it so consistent and reliable and identical every time. If friction is controlled completely, you can have confidence in that, and you can focus on your climbing, and your climbing abilities will head to the stratosphere. 11 mm lets you into that world.

 

[NickfromWI]

How similar do you think Arbormaster and Yale 16 strand is?

Arbormaster vs. XTC...I'm biased but I'd go with the Yale XTC. seems to last longer to me...wears better. I like the feel of it.

Arbormaster milks a lot more, but I don't think that's a big deal. Milk it, cut it off, then forget about it.

The arbormaster is way easier to splice. I'm not sure if that's a good thing.

love
nick

 

[luke17]

hi all

 

[luke17]

i use yale ropes

 

[KentuckySawyer]

I ordered a new Velocity line and a rope tarp the other day. It'll be my first 150' rope and my first foray into the small rope world. I went for the Velocity because of the tacky coating and the weight difference. I also ordered several types of sticky gloves to try out. I never wear gloves, except in the cold, so that will be a change too.

Anyone ever used the rope tarp? Seems like it'd be faster than a bag.

 

[Tree Machine]

KS, I think you'll find the sticky gloves most helpful.

If you're using a traditional friction hitch to ascend an 11 mm, you may hate your new Velocity. If you are using ascenders, you will love it. The tacky coating increases the resistance of the rope passing through the hitch; fine if you're coming down, but not so good on the way up. Ascenders create little to no drag, regardless of rope coating, newness of the rope or whether it is wet or dry.

I don't do rope tarps or rope bags. I prefer to keep my ropes hung, up off of horizontal surfaces. Rope tarps are especially popular with the rock group, who are meticulous in the preserving of the newness of their ropes. For treeguys, a rope is new for one day. I'm a minimalist, so a rope tarp is just one more thing.

As far as rope goes, it makes no difference to me what anyone climbs on, all that I share are my experiences and opinions.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

KS,

If you don't like the tackiness of the Velocity you can always use it for tying up the dog Makes no difference to me what anyone climbs on, all that I share are my experiences and opinions.

Anyone using ascenders should check and see what diameter rope they are supposed to be using. Many tools aren't made for use with half inch diameter rope. they do work but the manufacturer doesn't sanction larger ropes.

 

[BoesTreeService]

Thanks to Mike Maas and TreeMachine. I appreciate your input. I am a decent climber but always looking for anything that will make it easier and/or safer. I use 9mm rope alot on the fire ground (Im also a fireman) Im gonna give some lighter rope a try. Also took some advice from some of the columns in here and ordered 20 pr of sticky gloves after trying out a pair. I know most tree service industry uses rope bags (as does most fire departments and rec climbers. I have been using milk crates. They are open so they allow some air to get to your ropes if they get moisture, you dont have to hold them open to load them, and they stack very nicely in your truck. Anyone see a problem with that or ever tried it? The typical milk crate can hold 100' or 3/4" bull rope, 200' or 1/2" rope, and Im guessing 300" to 400" of the 11mm rope. Its sooo easy to feed your rope into one of these crates. Thanks for all your inputs and advice..sometimes reading these columns is like attending a class!!

 

[Tree Machine]

I think the milk crate is a great idea. Wouldn't work for me as I have zero horizontal space left in my rig. Also, my minimalist, boil it down to the least common denominator side would ask me, 'Is this piece really needed? and how many other tasks can this piece serve?. How valuable is it for me to schlepp it around?

With groundies, I think the milk crate is a great idea. It's rare for me to let anyone handle my rope. The way I hank and secure mine, they han off a vertical face, up off the floor and away from other floor stuff, and when laid on the ground properly it deploys with the gentle pull of the throwline, perfectly, every time.

These are my unique needs, showing that even a great idea such as yours is not necessarily universally great, but at the same time I applaud your contribution.

And welcome to class. You're late. Where have you been?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

A piece of fiberboard or plywood would be a good divider for the milk crate. That way you could use up all of the space.

 

[Tree Machine]

Two 11 mm's in one crate. I like it.