Questions: Ascending With One Line

[StihlRockin']

Ok, I'm stumped. I'm a little "old school" and am looking for better/faster ways to ascend into a tree.

Here's a common scenario: I use a throw line to get up into a descent crotch, but there's too many limbs to isolate one limb/crotch. I'm thinking of pulling up a climbing line and ascend the one rope end once I anchor the other end.

What ways/methods to you recommend I use to ascend only one side of the climbing rope?

It would be nice to get the throw line over one limb and back down to ascend on both ropes, but this is highly unlikely.

Your thoughts, ideas, recommendations and opinions are appreciated. Have to make some changes now!

StihlRockin'

 

[outofmytree]

Footlock the single or double rope. Go on, you know you will love the pain...

 

[StihlRockin']

Well, actually, the guys will love the pain. I'll just stand back, look cool... and root them on.

LOL!

 

[outofmytree]

I suck at footlocking hence the pain. I am also too proud to use ascenders cos I have been calling them "old man" climbing gear for so long it is sure to come back and bite me.

 

[StihlRockin']

I'm trying to save time and seeing the guys take so much time and energy getting into the tops kills me. I was just thinking there's a better way, hence why I'm here asking you guys for advice.

Saw a guy body thrusting with a Blake's hitch and thought... that's too much work. LOL!

 

[outofmytree]

Body thrusting srt??

 

[StihlRockin']

Body thrusting srt??

They'd throw the rope(1/2" climbing rope) over one branch... one not much over their head so they can use both ends of the rope to ascend. Then when they reached the desired height, they do it all over again.... seeking only to get to the next available/convenient branch.

I can get a throw line way up into the tree, but can't get it over just one crotch or branch, then back down again isolating one crotch/branch. I can get it way up there, but the throw line will exit the opposite side(who knows where) and I can pull up the climbing rope so climbing can commence on the tail end while the front end is tied off.

StihlRockin'

 

[outofmytree]

I usually rethrow the bag from the far side to get it to a workable position. So throw one is over the right crotch and throw two is back to the original position. Then you boys can body thrust straight up. Or they can learn to footlock and it wont matter...

 

[StihlRockin']

I usually rethrow the bag from the far side to get it to a workable position. So throw one is over the right crotch and throw two is back to the original position. Then you boys can body thrust straight up. Or they can learn to footlock and it wont matter...

Yes. However, far easier to type and say it, than have it happen in the real world in any reasonable time frame. Especially when there's a myriad of branches to contend with.

Thanks.

StihlRockin'

 

[Thechap]

Try shimmying the tree?

 

[StihlRockin']

Thechap,

Hello,

In certain circumstance that is possible, but we're talking getting a throw line up into a tree approx. 40+ft., then pull a climbing rope through to get a climber into the tree faster.... and without spikes. On occasion there's no branches in the first 20 ft. and the trunk is too large to "shimmy".

Thank you.

 

[tree md]

I am fortunate in that regard as most of the trees in my area have low canopies and are not hard to get into usually. What I will often do it set a line in a crotch and have someone belay for me. I will use a ladder to get to the first branch and have my rope man (who I trust emphatically) belay as I climb the branches.

However, I am about to start working SRT. It was recommended to me to buy and study the book "On Rope" to learn more about SRT and have been doing so the past week. I am looking into the frog system for ascending. I have been using my foot and hand ascenders to ascend DRT lately but I am wanting to get into SRT for the same reasons as you; to save time by not having to isolate a limb.

 

[SINGLE-JACK]

SRT cheap

For whatever reason - you gotta climb a single line, without footlocking, without ascenders, without 'shinny', then:

Tie on with your favorite friction hitch. Below that, tie a Double Foot Prusik (http://www.arboristsite.com/showpost.php?p=1576016&postcount=9). Did it that way 40 years ago when I couldn't buy gear - WORKS.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

I kinda like the looks of the tree frog systems, i dont have any srt stuff though ill just set a throwline, maybe use a ladder to get the first set of limbs, pole saw to set my line some times, im only 150# so if i get my throwline set right im not afraid to belay pretty far with my bigger ground guy and a munter hitch or rescue 8 rigged at the base (who is also my best freind and worked trees together since we both started)

Anyone ever set a friction saver from the ground you can pretty much belay your self easily

 

[tree md]

I kinda like the looks of the tree frog systems, i dont have any srt stuff though ill just set a throwline, maybe use a ladder to get the first set of limbs, pole saw to set my line some times, im only 150# so if i get my throwline set right im not afraid to belay pretty far with my bigger ground guy and a munter hitch or rescue 8 rigged at the base (who is also my best freind and worked trees together since we both started)

Anyone ever set a friction saver from the ground you can pretty much belay your self easily

Yup, I set one from the ground all the time if I can get a line in my main TIP and don't have to advance it on the way up. I use the friction saver as much as possible with my PI rope. Natural crotches are rough on it.

 

[senones]

Stihl,
What you described is know as SRT (single rope technique). We mostly climb with a Ddrt (Doubled Rope Technique). The easiest way to climb SRT is with a Mechanical Ascender. There are many different kinds, mostly all for SRT and a few for DdRT. That the way cavers (Spelunkers) do it. Good Luck with it. And keep practicing with isolating that throwline. You may wanna use more than 1 throwbag/ line.

 

[Tree Pig]

Yup, I set one from the ground all the time if I can get a line in my main TIP and don't have to advance it on the way up. I use the friction saver as much as possible with my PI rope. Natural crotches are rough on it.

I do the same friction saver almost always. This mule tape I use for my throwline allows me to toss a loop to lower or position my throw line were I want it. When I get the throwline down and have to navigate around branches I clip something heavy (like small monkey wrench) to the throwline send it back up and get it swinging and drop on the side of the branch as it gets to the right side. Sounds like a lot of work and it often is but it allows me to set my TIP were I want it on from the ground. I am just more comfortable not having to reset in the tree.

 

[pdqdl]

I got this idea from another thread, it works VERY well: Use the rope in the tree to raise a false crotch, attached to a second rope.

Take that rope running wildly through the tree branches, tie one end to an anchor point of some sort (I use a friction saver, others attach to a pulley). Run your doubled "old school" rope through the false crotch and then pull it up the tree to the height you plan on rising to. You now have a single, uninterrupted run of the doubled rope attached high in the tree. It has the added benefit of being lower friction and being possibly safer, since the climber can be lowered out of the tree from the ground. If your TIP breaks off, the single rope will undoubtedly still be caught by branches beneath it, although there is still the risk of some numskull on the ground cutting or untying your rope.

There is some excellent advice on this topic in this thread: http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=81614&highlight=srt

This is a very good way to get in the tree for an old school climber like myself. I just don't ever see myself going SRT, and I even have most of the toys for it.

 

[Adkpk]

I use the Texas Tree Monkey System it works well for me.

 

[outofmytree]

I got this idea from another thread, it works VERY well: Use the rope in the tree to raise a false crotch, attached to a second rope.

Take that rope running wildly through the tree branches, tie one end to an anchor point of some sort (I use a friction saver, others attach to a pulley). Run your doubled "old school" rope through the false crotch and then pull it up the tree to the height you plan on rising to. You now have a single, uninterrupted run of the doubled rope attached high in the tree. It has the added benefit of being lower friction and being possibly safer, since the climber can be lowered out of the tree from the ground. If your TIP breaks off, the single rope will undoubtedly still be caught by branches beneath it, although there is still the risk of some numskull on the ground cutting or untying your rope.

There is some excellent advice on this topic in this thread: http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=81614&highlight=srt

This is a very good way to get in the tree for an old school climber like myself. I just don't ever see myself going SRT, and I even have most of the toys for it.

Doh! (slaps forehead) I can't believe I forgot to suggest this. We use this system to clean or remove large Cotton palms (Washingtonia robusta). We use a dfl to tie on a krab and pulley with the drt system attached. A nice compact setup that has the least chance of getting stuck. once the pulley is as high as it can be we tie off to the porta wrap. Once I get to the pulley location, I tie in, switch the pulley to a sling or cambium saver and drop the original single line so it cant be cut.

Hmm, this has got me thinking. I am gonna go rec climb and work out a few kinks. Cya!