Whats up wid dat?

[MasterBlaster]

Every time I see a climber in some publication he seems to be packing a ton of gear. Am I missing out on something? I don't ever have that much stuff on me. I don't usually use false crotches, I just tie in. I go up a tree with my rope and chain saw, and thats about it. If I need a bullrope, pulley, speedline, or whatnot, I call for it to be tied on. I rarely double-tie in, and when I do I use my tail.

Whats all that stuff they pack around?

 

[monkeypuzzle]

DEAD WEIGHT

 

[MasterBlaster]

I agree, MP.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I find that there are some things I like to have handy, and if I climb all day and don't use them, it's no big deal.
For example, if I have a speedline strap girth hitched to a carabiner clipped on the back of my saddle, there is no way I can tell unless I turn around and look. So why not have it handy? At a minumum I have two speedline straps and a pulley at most times.
And say it's a hot day, are you going to tell me you don't have a water bottle clipped on your belt? The point is, it's silly not to take what you will need, unless the climber is slow and has big ground crew with nothing to do. An example might be a four man crew doing a cabling job. In that case he might want to get up and tie in while his crew sets up.

The ground crew will appreciate it if you plan ahead and have what you need. In most cases I can stay ahead of the ground crew, so I try to do as much as I can. While they send up the bull rope, I can set the pulley and hook up the lowering strap so I'm good to go once they get me the bull rope, instead of waiting for them to find the pulley and figure out how to tie it on, then wait again while I set it up.

As for tieing in, I try to follow ANSI. It's just plain smart. If you are serious about staying in this field for any length of time, you should get a copy and follow it's guidelines.
You might think that the homeowner doesn't know that you are supposed to wear a hardhat, for example, but I promise you that with everything else the same, the crew who wears them consistently, will, if nothing else, look more professionsal and be safer. Following ANSI, newer equipment, appropriate workwear, professional manner, all equate to more, safer,and satisfying work at a higher pay.
I have often had customers comment on how hazardous my job is, but just stopping for a moment and pointing out that I have my overhead tie in and a second tie in while working, shows a higher level of professionalism and is reassuring to the customer, that I am safe. Not to mention that falling out of a tree is one of the big ways climbers are injured and killed.
Ask Tom D. about how easy it is to cut your rope.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Ask Tom D. about how easy it is to cut your rope.


I've never cut my rope. Read the intro to The Tree Climber's Companion for Jeff's story.

I carry a first aid kit, 2' Spectra sling with a small, double sheave pulley for a redirect and a 3' spectra daisy chain with biner ALL of the time. That stuff never comes off my saddle. If I think that I might need more gear later, I have it out near my gear pack and have my groundie send it up to me.

Tom

 

[monkeypuzzle]

On tall pines with many limbs I carry quite a bit of slings(limb attachment) and biners, quicker than knots I think. With a biner on the working end I can position my rigging line easier and the extra weight from the biner keeps it in the tree. Ever seen your rope go wizzing by you because you or your groundie pulled too much rope back up the tree? A clip in to a D-ring or a few wraps around a limb and the rope stays. Works great for me.

OR I use them for speedlines.

I started using those thick rubberbands that hold broccoli in a bunch to wrap my slings up into a neatly folded wad instead of a daisy-chain. Less flop and less snags and more compact.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I never use a pulley for climbing. I prefer more friction. I only use a pulley on TD's when a rope larger than 1/2 is used, or if the roped limb is taglined to pull it away from a roof, or whatnot.

Because of the level of intelligence/experience of the GM I am forced to work with, I rarely rope blocks out. I can usually get away with bombing chunks. But sometimes I have to - its allways tons of fun.

I love to speedline, but I rarely have the need for it - maybe 3 or 4 times a year. When I need to, then I will pack it up with me.

I'm not worried to much about ANSI. I am also serious about staying in this field - 26 yrs so far.

Nobody around here wears hardhats unless the particular job requires it. Personally, I wear a bump cap.

On super-hot days(like TODAY) I require water approx every 45 to 60 minutes. When I want it, I call for it. I like it COLD!

I'm still not to clear on the 'redirect' concept. I do stay tied-in at all times with my rope, lanyard, or both.

I have never been accused of being slow. I'm usually smoking cigarettes waiting on the GM to catch up.
I take pride in doing my job, and trees are cool, but I am not a fanatic. It's a job to me that I enjoy doing.

Hey, I'm just being honest.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

What do you do with the binders after you use the sling? Do you reuse them?

Daisy chains are a nuisance to me. Here's another way to store slings.

Clip both ends of the sling to the biner. Hook a finger into the "basket" that's formed and twist the sling. When it's snugged up, clip the "finger loop" into the biner along side the ends of the sling.

When its time to use the sling, leave the biner in a loop and flick the sling. This should unravel the works.

It doesn't look as dainty and neat as daisy chains but its faster to rack and much more compact.

Tom

 

[kf_tree]

tom

thats pretty much the standard used for slings. it's a nice quick way to keep them in a neat package. everyone i've ever ice climbed with does it the same way.

 

[TREETX]

This guy is clearly not up for learning anything new. After 26 yrs he knows it all.

There are better ways my friend. Easier ways.

 

[monkeypuzzle]

Yes I reuse them, they fit snug on my handsaw handle.

Will give your method a try Tom.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Originally posted by TREETX
This guy is clearly not up for learning anything new. After 26 yrs he knows it all.

There are better ways my friend. Easier ways.

Didn't mean to come across as a know it all - I just don't beat around the bush. I'm allways up for 'easier'.

I just don't see anything being done any 'easier'.

We ain't caving, and we ain't mount climbing either. Why do we need to appear so?

Ascenders are nice(on my lanyard).

A pulley, or two. On the ground. 'Til I need it.

Zen style climber? Maybe so.

Don't know it all - just a good bit. Still in one piece, no prop damage yet. Ain't slow. Collect the check. Go home.

Whats the big deal?

Zen Climber outta here!

 

[TREETX]

You have been climbing since I was 2!! You are 3 years younger than my dad.

Out of respect, I really didn't mean to call you a know it all. I probably should have said old school and slow to change.

Instead of referencing doo dads in pics, I would find what they are and what techniques you may be missing out on.

As far as climbing with no less than 10 krabs on you saddle at any time, I don't get it either.

I don't carry so much on my saddle and load/unload it for the tasks at hand. Carry one or 2 light extras as well.

Using a RG or FC is really nice. I was a slow adapter as well. Gives real consistency and continuty to climbs or rather to lateral moves.

I don't know what your main entry method is but if it is old school too, there are easier ways.

 

[jblimbwalker]

Originally posted by TREETX
.


"Instead of referencing doo dads in pics, I would find what they are and what techniques you may be missing out ontasks at hand. Carry one or 2 light extras as well."

Good point TREETX. I enjoy seeing a new piece of gear I am unfamilier with on a climber. This is one of the many things to be learned from attending jamborees and trade shows. Some of these I have incorporated, some I haven't, but I am always willing to learn a new technique that can make my job easier and safer. Most of these new techniqes are for the sake of safety and are easy to learn, especially to an experienced climber. We owe it to ourselves to adapt and change with the times as with any other industry.

 

[mikecross23]

I'm green to all of this climbing and tree biz stuff and when I saw all of those publication photos and found this site I went up every tree fully loaded! Too much "Dead weight" as said before. I've dropped some gadgets and now carry 2 loop runners and biners for each, a handsaw, lanyard, and a saw. Keeping it simple is easier for me. Of course there are those times where ya know you'll need it, so bring it.

Thought about taking my small camel back up for the next live oak deadwood/prune. Adding some ice cubes should help keep me cool for the durration.

-Mike-

 

[MasterBlaster]

What? Another convert to the Zen Climbing Style?

Ahhhh, grasshopper.....

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I have loads of gear in my truck, If i am doing a removal, i have a stitched daisey sling with ten small carabiners and a bunch of slings of variouse length.

4) rescue pulles
1) 2 ton block
several specialty slings and straps

Low friction rigging speeds things up when you need to get things on the gowund, because you can move your rigging point anywhere the wood will hold. One high set and redirect to where you want to drop it. This can also allow you to work with more weight die due to hiow the lines run and the force is applied to the system.

Some climb with lots of jingly stuff for ego , I will add or subtract as needed. If I wont need a redirect while working, I may leave them down on the ground, if it is a big tree they come along for the hallibut.

So MB do you still tie your rope directly to your saddle?

"We don't need no stinking snaps!"

 

[MasterBlaster]

Only when I tie in with my tail!

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by MasterBlaster


Nobody around here wears hardhats unless the particular job requires it. Personally, I wear a bump cap.

There is no way you will catch me in a tree without my helmet. Having 2 young girls ( 6 & 9 ) I feel that I owe it to them, my wife and myself. Things happen to quick in this business. you can't afford to be without a helmet.


I carry a lot of extras on me when I climb. I will embrace every new piece of new technology with open arms. I am not as natural a climber as some guys. All the ZEN equipment makes a hard job slightly easier. I also have a real curiosily for new gear!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I'm a zen rake practitioner. B

Become one with the rake little Leafhopper.

You are the rake, the rake is you.