Working off a single line

[beastmaster]

Iv'e been using SRT more and more. But I had a reality check a few days ago. I was only up 20ft or so on a single line removing some dead stubs on a large Cedar next to a deck. I anchored one end off the deck so there was like a 30 deg angle of attachment. The tree had a slight lean. I put my safety around a limb and used it to pull myself to the high side of the tree to reach a stub. I couldn't clearly see the base of the stub, but could see the line coming off the deck. Everything looked clear. Before people start capping on me, I know you never cut where you can't see, but it looked clear. As soon as I started cutting I felt the SRT line go slack. To make a long story short I cut the SRT line. Most my weight was on my safety line over a strong branch, so I was in no danger of falling, but what if? It really unnerved me. For maybe half an hour I was going to give up climbing for ever. I then decided to never use SRT . Now I think I'll never work off of a single line.
SRT is a really useful tool, but in at lest my case its a new and untested Technic, and as in any new technic there is a learning curve. I have years of experence, but I am like a green newbie with SRT. I made a mistake and can write about it, but it could of easily been different.
SRT, is a useful tool no doubt, but it has its own set of rules that still have to be defined for the new users, no matter how experience he or she may be. Just be careful.

 

[ForTheArborist]

You backed yourself up anyway. :msp_thumbup: You could have cut your line on purpose, BM, and it wouldn't have made a difference because you were using back up.

I've SRT more than not. There really is nothing confusing about it imo.

I've walked the edges of 600' cliffs this year, and the iota of difference between stepping off the cliff or stepping forward along the edge is very small in the eye of the amateur. To the pro that has survived at these edge, it is a continent of difference. You didn't step off, BM. That is something entirely other worldly, but you did ruin about $200 worth of rope.

I predict that once you can figure out how to get over the rope, you'll see things like a climber again.

 

[treemandan]

You don't. That is how you work on srt, following that rule you should be fine to work on srt. Just don't.

 

[treemandan]

Now tell us what it was that made you hit yer rope with the saw. Come on. If you don't I will.

 

[ForTheArborist]

Now tell us what it was that made you hit yer rope with the saw. Come on. If you don't I will.

No less than the gift of hindsight















....maybe. :monkey:

 

[Saw Dust Smoken]

Srt

There is more than one way to anchor in SRT mode. With anchor above you will not have this problem! Where's the rope? Just ty in from above. Both lines in front of ya. No guessing where lines are at! Be safe.

 

[beastmaster]

Now tell us what it was that made you hit yer rope with the saw. Come on. If you don't I will.

Last time I'll climb drunk:wink2:




Im joking.

 

[Blakesmaster]

Glad to hear you're ok, beast. That's one of my concerns with SRT but my main fear is a groundie getting it. Something unnerving about a section of line supporting MY life in the work zone of another person.

 

[RacerX]

Although I've used it my biggest concern about SRT is the doubling effect on the crotch that the rope passes through. :msp_scared: