Question about securing a tieoff

[AviD]

If you wanted to secure a tieoff up at your destination height in a tree (assume you have no branches to tie off on, but rather have to go around the base of the tree) such that you can come back weekly to hook up to it, what would you use?

This will be for semi-long term placement (say over the course of a few months) and for security/fall protection while climbing. I plan on running parachute cord from the tieoff to the ground and then packing in a static climbing rope (a little over 2 times my max climbing height) which I'll run through the tieoff with the parachute cord. I'll then secure the climbing rope around the base of the tree (bottom/ground level) and connect to the climbing rope with a prussik which will slide up as I climb (or maybe a Petzl Microcender).

This system will be used on several trees, rather than buying static climbing rope for every tree and leaving it exposed to the elements, I'll pack it in and use it as needed. This will also give me the opportunity to review it's entire length before each use...both of which I think promotes better security and lifetime of the rope.

Anyway, what would you use as a tieoff up top? Something cable based with a steel locking carabiner maybe? Needs to be somewhat lightweight and portable (might be a couple miles hike into the woods). This will be for about a dozen trees or so.

Also if you have any recommendations on the static rope of choice, that would be great too.

Thanks.

 

[AviD]

Dan:

Yes I know some do have branches and crotches. There are alof of pitch pines and cedars, and some gum trees. Pines I can probably find a branch up 50 feet+ to secure to, cedars...I don't think I'd trust any branches on all but the biggest of trees, and gum trees are quite straight but crotches are WAYYYY up there.

Ultimately, I will be at standard height for the tieoff, say 30 feet. With the variance in crotch heights or limb heights, in conjunction with trying to find a universal rope for all my trees, I am looking at the tieoff to keep them in the same 30 foot range. Otherwise I'll need say 100 feet of rope to get to one tree's 50 foot crotch/branch, 60 feet to get to another tree's 30 foot crotch/branch, 200 feet of rope to get to yet another tree's 100 foot crotch/branch, etc.

Factor in I have to pack in the rope along with a bunch of other gear, and I want to keep it to a minimum (i.e. not have 200 feet of rope for my worst case tree, when I only need 60 feet of rope for the current tree I'm going in).

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Use throwline instead of para cord. P-cord stretches too much.

Do you use DdRT to move around in the tree or SRT?

If you SRT you don't need a false crotch.

 

[AviD]

Tom:

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking para cord because of its durability when exposed to the elements, as well as the price. It will just be left there to be used as a means to run the climbing rope through the tieoff. What throwline would you recommend for this type of purpose?

Also, this is for a hunting application where a stand will be afixed to the desired height (below where the tieoff will be). The stand will be pre-setup with a lineman style belt and using what we call "climbing sticks", which are affixed to the trees with cinch or ratchet style straps.

The tieoff is just a security measure for when I come back to hunt the stand, and will climb (without the lineman belt). I find the lineman belt to be a bit cumbersome when climbing in hunting clothing. I'll be using a full body harness when hunting with a carabiner hookup to the rear upper back of the harness. These harnesses are tested by an organization called TMA for their intended usage. EDIT: I am thinking I might bring a separate section of rope and prussik to attach to the front of the harness which has dual D-rings for lineman style climbing. This seems better than connecting it in back, I can keep it in front of me and adjust it upward if need be (i.e. it doesn't slide on its own), which would be otherwise difficult if it were behind me.

Some companies sell a similar setup to what I am trying to achieve, but it involves looping the line around the tree above and then dropping it down. I don't think that is achieveable with a tieoff from ground level, so I am looking at making the loop around up top and then pulling my climbing rope up to it when I want to climb the tree.

I know this is very unorthodox compared to what you generally do, but you guys are the experts so I thought I'd ask here and see what you guys recommend given the pre-requisites.

Let me know what you think or if you need any additional information.

 

[AviD]

Dan:

I will look into SRT. I think the biggest problem I have is that most of this climbing setup will be done in the dark (i.e. if I want to bring my equipment in and out each time). The other thing to consider is the weight and bulk of the equipment, I need something that is very mobile and as lightweight and bulkless as possible.

As far as my immediate approach, I am not looking for an indefinitely solution. I am looking to put something up that will be out there for say 6 months of the year and then possibly replacing it for the next year if need be. If I can get a couple years out of it before replacement, all the better.

Some guys are using a similar system to what I am mentioning by getting N sets of climbing rope for their N stand sites. Well when N grows, so does the cost of all that equipment and rope, and replacing it under regular intervals.

As far as SRT (Single Rope Technique?) do you have any recommended readings or resources where I can get started? I think the most daunting thing is getting started and it is probably best to get instructed/taught by a professional rather than trying to read and apply?

Any additional info, or recommendations on a tieoff would be great.

Thanks again.

EDIT: What treesaddle do you recommend? I'd need something that is pretty dynamic in terms of fitting. When its warm, lightweight clothing would be worn, when its cold, heavier and bulkier clothing would be worn...so it needs to be pretty adjustable and easy to adjust and comfortable to wear all day (say 13 hours at a clip).

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Do a google on SRT and you'll be overwhelmed.

"On Rope" should be read by everyone who climbs...period.

There are many simple, compact, webbing full body harnesses available. They can go over clothing. The ones that I've seen at sporting goods stores are made too cheaply. they scare me because of the poor sewing.

Can you leave the gear in a metal box overnight during hunting season? Just leave the throwline in the tree for the season. I think that this would be a good application for the old Slickline. I don't know what the UV rating is for polyproplene rope though.

 

[JimK]

Of the fibers commonly used in lines, polyester is the most durable. Leaving a throw line made of polyester would provide a durable, cheap choice. Even for a year, I would think that all of the mentioned materials would be ok. However polyester happens to be the most durable in sun light.

Regards,
JimK

Keep FIT - Fun in Trees

 

[NickfromWI]

polypro plus sunlight....not good. I would stick with the parachute cord over slickline for this application, assuming it's like the p-chords I've seen.

Jim's right about polyester. There's a reason Dacron/polyester is the most common rope you see rotting away in harbors around the country!

AviD, do you know any tree climbers in your area. I am assuming that the tree you want has suitable crotches up high, but you need a climber escort to show you what CAN be used.

I woulda done it, but I'm not in jersey any more!

I suggest a buckingham cambium saver- the RING/ring type.

Maybe a thru-bolt backed up with tubular webbing just in case?

love
nick

 

[hobby climber]

I can only assume you intend to hunt out of a tree stand or something like that and are looking for a better tie off with your safety line. Good idea, cuz like Tom D. mentioned, the stuff in the sporting good stores are crap! I've tried tree-stand hunting and found it to be a costly PITA, (pain in the a$$). Others on the other hand enjoy it and have no problem. Most hunters are injure or fall from a tree either climbing up or down from a stand while not being secured to the safety harness. They are usually cold and tired with stiff muscles from sitting so long. I don't mean to be a smart a$$ or anything but with the time & energy, not to mention cost, that you are putting into this ... would it not be just as easy and just as effective to use a hunting blind (ground blind)? Store bought or home made. This is just an alternative to climbing that offers you protection from the weather and comfortable as well as being safe. Especially if you hunt alone!!! What would you do if you had a accident up a tree and no one was around to help you? Happens all the time! With a blind, it can be left there year after year without risking your safety. With a store bought type, it can be packed in and is a lot lighter than any tree stand! Just my .02 * Safety first eh! Good luck this fall! HC

 

[hobby climber]

Oops...

I appoligies for the size of the pic above. HC

 

[rbtree]

AviD...I can't see any reason why a rock climbing harness won't work...granted it is not the best for work positioning..but is light, not bulky, and cheap. Or, a light Petzl with side D-rings or New Tribe can be had for under $180, I think.

As far as throw line goes, I could get you 1000 feet of Plasma for $65 plus shipping, that is super strong and light...and in any color i think. My guess is it would last for years and still be strong enough to pull a climb line up.