What are the differences between tree climbing and rock climbing?

[MasterBlaster]

Nah, a troll is a short, little squat fugger...

 

[crtreedude]

I think I look like him in the morning - or after about two or three days down on the plantation - not many women folk around, if you catch my drift.

 

[BigJohn]

You are correct, a static line is fine to ascend into a tree and is a good choice. You have weed through some of us who like to do things the old fashioned way those of who know the best of both worlds. If you have the strength to rock climb then trees should be no problem. Being able to climb with your fingers is a great way to go. Just to play around I would get yourself a 16 strand climbing line two biners and a 16 strand split tail. I would start you off witha Blakes hitch with a micro pulley slack tender.

Any cool night clubs down there like you see on girls gone wild? I'd come down just for that.

 

[crtreedude]

Nice, you always have to find out what people's bias is. I have to admit I am a gear head. The more gear the merrier. So, I have some of everything, or so it seems.

I would say I have the finger strength - I love to boulder, which is doing very difficult moves up to about 20', with only a crash pad.

Yes, on the beaches most likely. The Ticas are usually trying to pickup some rich North American too. Of course, there have been more than a few Gringos find out they have committments they didn't count on as well.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

The difference between climbing rock and trees is night and day. I have a guy that I am teaching to climb trees that is a stellar rock climber, but he is used to using his fingers and toes climbing rock, where as when you climb trees you need to use the climb line to suspend your self or use for balance. I kinda laugh when he gets about two feet from a crotch and trys to finger and toe it up into position. I call him Brother Flounder from the movie animal house when he does this. Because that is exactly what he looks like. But he is finally coming around with some coaching. Using a static line and ascenders is a great way to enter a tree, especially a really tall one, but when you get to the top you definately need to know how to tie in old school using a Taughtline hitch or a Blakes hitch. This cool little know can be used as both a method of ascending and descending. And once you learn to control this little hitch you will find yourself wanting to try walking out on branches. The key is to keep all the slack out of your friction hitch and use that as a balance point, it takes some practice, but you will make the transition.

Kenn

 

[crtreedude]

Ah, so I get to seriously cheat when climbing trees, and it is considered kosher - cool.

Climbing for fun is one thing, climbing because I need to accomplish something is different - I would use a cherry picker if they would reach that high.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Originally posted by crtreedude
Ah, so I get to seriously cheat when climbing trees, and it is considered kosher - cool.

Just get to the TOP!

 

[MasterBlaster]

A most excellent point, Brian.

 

[glens]

Originally posted by crtreedude
By the way, just to get everyone hating me, where I live, the temperature, year round, is 78 degrees F.

Tell the whole story about how half the year the wind blows from the east and half it blows from the west.  One half is pleasant and the other soggy, right?

Glen

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Treedude,

I've written articles about SRT for treeworkers. Get hold of me if you want a copy.

don't worry about using static line for tree climbing. If the numbers are worked out for 16 strand arbo rope and static line anyone would see that they come out pretty dang close. So close to not really be different. Then, consider that arbos are climbing on a doubled rope, there is even less stretch to consider.

I've climbed on 3/8" KMIII static line. It feels weird and has a bit of bounce. Plenty strong though. If I had to pack rope very far into the bush I'd use 3/8".

The way to see the commonality is to look at caving. There is more overlap. If you go to On Rope 1 you'll find plenty of great information on systems that you can adapt to your big trees.

Arbos are slowly coming around to using SRT for more than access. There are a few of us that are working off of SRT too.

 

[046]

since your lowest limbs are 150ft up get a big shot to set your line. big shot some zing-it throw line and throw ball.

Please consider a Pantin to walk up your rope. also you may want to look at Tom Dunlap's DEDA.

inspect with a pair of binoculars both sides of where you set your rope.

 

[crtreedude]

Nope, the wind does not blow much to speak of - but there is an 8 month rainy season, meaning it rains for about an hour about once a day. Where we are it tends to stay cloudy, which I actually prefer - spend some significant time under a tropical sun and you will know what I mean.

Biggest downside? We are not the dominate predator here, ants are. You would not believe the variety! You keep your house spotless, or you are overrun with ants. Also, when the army ants come through, you visit somebody for a couple of days. When you come back, there are no bugs or anything living, pretty nice actually. Ants come, time to visit a hotel with hot springs!

The humidity is higher than USA, but, I like that. There are significant adjustments, but the climate is not called the land of eternal spring for nothing.

Fred

P.S. Only one hurricane in known memory, and that was on the coast far south of us - very rare.

 

[rb_in_va]

crtreedude,
That is a nice site you've got. Cool trees! I am a web developer, not a tree guy. You need any help with the web site?

 

[crtreedude]

Thanks for the compliment - I pretty much maintain it myself, with my wife, who is an editor. We get lots of traffic. Because of the information, the search engines really love us.

Not much need for someone, I have been a software developer for 25 years, and my wife an editor for 15 years, so we are probably a bit over qualified, but it takes longer to tell someone what I want than to just do it. Now, if someone could take the information straight out of my mind....

By the way, I packed in my compound bow to shoot the line to the top of the tree, I hope it is enough!

 

[rb_in_va]

Originally posted by crtreedude
Not much need for someone, I have been a software developer for 25 years

Bummer!

 

[Wilson_tree]

A better comparison than trad rock climbing would be aid climbing. Climbing a tree has much more in common with aiding. Using aid climbing as a way to compare techniques might help you adapt your skills and equipment to tree climbing. Jugging fixed lines is a good comparison to SRT that people have mentioned.

 

[crtreedude]

Makes sense on the Aid climbing, trad is trying to get there own your own steam, without dying if you don't make it. Aid sounds more like it, you are using the ropes, etc to make life easier.

Since I am now 45, I think aid is a good idea, no longer am I into the ego thing. (Well maybe just a little)

Fred

 

[arboromega]

with you rock climbing you are operating on one axis, in a tree you move on a coordinate plane. also your objective in rock climbing is to climb the the rock with you rope as a sfety parameter. in tree climbing you rope is a safety, but also a tool...a third leg a rocky called it. you tend not to keep you weight on the tree, but on the rope and when you get the hang of it you will be able to flow around the tree quite easily.

 

[Tree Machine]

Hello CT, pura vida.

Differences between rock climbing and tree climbing. I look forward to contributing, but first let's address the difference between what we use to cut up here, and what Ticos use to cut down there. Enter a topic seldom if ever brought up on arboristsite; the machete.

All this talk about static vs dynamic, we should explore which one stands up to a machete better.... NEITHER.

You're cutting out the bromeliads and the mosses as a main reason, is this right? If you're considering an ecotourism thing, ascent views, canopy tours, setting up zipline systems like up in Monteverde or going up waterfalls like down in the Osa, it would be most helpful so we can focus in and help you best.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I like Fred.