Tree Climbing Gear

[foxfox]

I'm getting ready to buy some tree climbing gear soon and am wanting some input. I am wanting just do some recreational climbing and want to order everything I need the first time around. This is the list I have been putting together so far through all of my reading:


-New Tribe saddle with Side d's $125
-3 Petzl William ball lock carabiners @ $16.00 = $48 (from sherrill)
-120' of 1/2 Arbor Plex climbing line $58.00 (from sherrill)
-1 48" Sewn Runner $8.00 (from new tribe)
-1 SPLIT TAIL/ 16-strand Blue Streak(7') $26 (from sherril)
-1 1/2 x 10' braided flipline $51 (from sherrill) (lanyard)
-1 51" of ultra tech for tyeing a distal or french prussik for youe
lanyard $11 (sherrill)
-1 12 oz throw bag
-1 16 oz throw bag
-1 spool of Zing It line

Any additions/deletions and why I should or should not get certain items would be appreciated. Thanks a lot.

Kris

 

[ORclimber]

I recently tried the petzl ball locks for use on fliplines. Too slow to open one handed. Am switching back to double action climbing snaps.

Nevermind, rechecked your list and looks like your buying fliplines.

Don't forget a silkey handsaw and a bigshot

 

[MasterBlaster]

Uhhhh...

 

[Stumper]

Kris, You have a good list going. I like Arborplex but have to agree with Brian(Rocky) that Safetyblue is superior. The only changes I would make :A. Make my own flipline. and B. utilize a tress cord and advanced hitch instead of buying a split-tail. YOur list is perfectlyadequate for doing a lot of climbing-as Brian indicated you are likely to buy other gear if you keep climbing but you have a great start.

 

[Koa Man]

I also agree with Stumper, save your money and forget the split tail. I would use that money to buy a micro pulley. Works great with the advanced friction hitches. Far better than a snap ring for me, although snap rings are cheap.

 

[Nickrosis]

Ditto on 16 strand and TCC book. Nothing wrong with the William ball locks, I use two.

 

[Koa Man]

TreeCo,
You are correct in a technical sense, but I was just going by what the Sherrill catalog calls a split tail.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I think the usage of tress cord conotates that it will be a smaller diameter and used as a closed loop hitch.

My $.02

Start off with just a hank of rope tied to your saddle and a blakes fixed tail

It's real old school, but a way to save money and better for learning.

 

[NickfromWI]

JOHN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!! Don't tell him that!!!

Don't start out old school! You might get stuck there!

Start split tail...distel is great for being advanced enough for beginners.

love
nick

 

[ORclimber]

Nick, What if he drops his tress cord out of the tree while tying in. He could be stuck in the tree if he can't tie a blake or tautline.

 

[NickfromWI]

ORclimber, you gotta good point. I didn't think about that aspect of it. However, that should be incentive to learn older systems AS WELL as modern, split tail systems.

love
nick

 

[geofore]

old school?

So if he drops his tress what would be wrong with pulling up his line, cut 5' off the end, Anchor hitch the ends of the 5 footer to a carabiner to make a short prussic loop to get down? Did he forget his pocket knife? When you're caught in a bad situation you need to be able to think your way out? If you don't have other knots and hitches in your bag of tricks you're going to be stuck in a tree. Knot so much old school as there is more than one way to skin a cat.
Okay, now someone else get him out of the tree with a different Knot or hitch.

 

[Koa Man]

Re: old school?

Originally posted by geofore
If you don't have other knots and hitches in your bag of tricks you're going to be stuck in a tree.

You are 100% correct. To me, if someone does not know how to tie at a min., a tautline or Blake, a timber hitch, a bowline (including a running), a clove and a Munter hitch, they should stay out of the tree until they learn. All of those are easy to tie and learn (for most people). It took one of by groundies three weeks of practice to get a bowline right.

These basic knots and hitches are very useful in everyday life also.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Double halfhitch to the center D with 3 ft of tail and an open prussic is how I learned.

Not only is it cheaper, but there are less parts in the mix so the climber can get used to the trusting the rope, without having to think about all those other bitas and pieces.

 

[njarbor]

i think that if you dont know old school climbing you shouldnt try to go with modern techniques. in my eyes it is too advanced for someone just starting. i only did the old school way for about 2 or 3 months. if someone cant tie the basic knot how are they going to tie a vt or distal?

 

[NickfromWI]

I did traditional/non-split tail technique once. Only on one short 25 foot ascent. I came down, checked back in the Tree Climbers Companion, then set up the split tail.

I've never went back!

However, I have used traditional/old school on occasion while double crotching.

love
nick

 

[foxfox]

So, what is it fellas? Should I or shouldn't I get the split tail. The first few said unnecessary and the last few have said I need to learn the more modern techniques. Post your votes and I'll be buying soon. Thanks for all the information.

 

[NickfromWI]

Yes, get it.....or better yet, make your own!

love
nick

 

[Davidsinatree]

Kris, in all the exitement to inform a possible new climber we forgot to WELCOME!!!! you to the arborist site.
Looks like a pack of wild monkeys moving in to train their young to climb.:Monkey:

If your not trimming tree's, just going to rec climb I would check into a good rock climbing saddle. They are very light wieght and take very little space to store. Black Diamond makes a good one and there made in USA.

My rope choice is 120' 16 strand ''yale xtc'' or ''samson''
I would not start out with a split tail. [you can add a split tail at any time later] I started buy tieing in with a figure 8 with about 3' of tail left to tie your blakes friction hitch, its very basic and very safe for someone starting out from scratch. This set up will also build your confidence fast. Once you get this set up down then try some of the more advanced hitches if you want. I have been playing with the distal, but i'm just not there yet I like my blakes hitch. Stay low & slow at first like any good climbing book will state.

Pick out a lanyard with a rope grab ''gibbs ascender''

Dont forget to pick out a good helmet. I'v seen a lot of climbers without head gear. I assume they think its uncool to wear saftey gear.............NOT!!!!

Bigshot + zing it + 14oz throw bag = OOOOHHHYYYAA this is fun!!

Whatever you choose to buy, look for MADE IN USA it keeps AMERICANS working !

When I think of "petzl" I think of FRANCE, why would you want something made in france ?

Also your on the right track buying things & stuff from sherrill they are good people to work with.

HAVE FUN!!!!!

 

[NickfromWI]

I'd stay away from a lanyard with a Gibbs ascender. You cannot adjust it while it's weighted. You have to give it a bit of slack/ take the tension off, then pull the rope through. If you go with a friction hitch (this is a GREAT place for a distel) you can adjust it when you have ALL your weight in it.

love
nick