What knot to use.

[smokey01]

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I call it "modified" because it is actually a bowline that becomes a sheetbend, almost, with the exception of the direction of the running end of the tail.
Let me explain how I use this. I have an HTP kernmantle rope that I used to ascend into the tree. Once in the tree I use a double braid Poison Ivy or similar to work around the tree or go to adjacent trees.
So, to get it all where I want them....(both ropes because I'm lazy and don't want to ascend with the other rope attached to my saddle.)
I connect the end of my kernmantle rope to my throw line either using a pile hitch followed by half hitches or a splicing knot followed by half hitches. I pull the line up until it just comes over my TIP. Then I use this knot ("modified" sheetbend) to tie on my Poison Ivy. Now both ropes are headed up and my throw line is coming down. I continue pulling my throw line down until the end of my kernmantle reaches me, (the Poison Ivy has just reached my TIP, but has not been pulled over yet) I tie an Alpine butterfly on the ascending side of my kernmantle, untie my trow line, thread the descending end of the kernmantle into the butterfly and send the butterfly up to the TIP. As the butterfly goes up, the end of my Poison Ivy comes down. As the butterfly reaches the TIP and becomes secure, the end of my poison ivy comes down and is now over the anchor waiting for when I need it.
I ascend the kernmantle, clip in and switch over to my "motion lanyard" Poison Ivy rope or similar and go where I want.

Below is a sheetbend (actually, slippery sheetbend but same thing) but notice the upward direction of the tail.
The picture below that is the same sheetbend that starts to pull apart as the weight of the tail or running end of the rope starts to pull on it. Also it has no chance of getting over my TIP without coming apart.
That is what I perceive as the difference between a true sheetbend and the bowline that becomes a sheetbend. So it is really a sheetbend with the tail exiting in the wrong direction.

unmodified sheetbend

unmodified sheetbend that comes apart with the weight of the running end of rope.

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[smokey01]

A quick hitch is great for pulling up a second rope. This is from Jeff Jepson's 'Tree Climbers Companion'.

While you have it open, take a look at page 66 in the TCC, see anything interesting with those knots?

 

[Youngbuck20]

Wrong. Most of the guys in Commercial know what they're doing and they're not shy about calling somebody out for posting bogus information or techniques.

So the video that he posted from the ISA is "bogus information or techniques"? Every other new post in commercial forum has someone saying this should be in 101 with those 101 idiots. Sounds like whining to me.

 

[smokey01]

If you are ordering a Wrench, you won't need to worry about any of that anymore.

I wish that were the case, I am not monkey enough just to go walking up a 45 degree branch or transfer to another tree and will use my motion lanyard (with knots) to pull me up there.

 

[smokey01]

So the video that he posted from the ISA is "bogus information or techniques"? Every other new post in commercial forum has someone saying this should be in 101 with those 101 idiots. Sounds like whining to me.

Not exactly, I think the ISA information is fantastic, it was just the link that was posted. It comes from his own personal mobile YouTube link and therefor does not parse as a successful link for general users. I could probably search YouTube for the content, but I got the point. Besides it was a post on this 101 site so there is no need to be accurate, knowledgeable, macho, beyond reproach or even centered around commercialism, whatever that is. (I use to know until I was educated on the "commercial" forum.

This is how i roll....err climb keep it simple
YouTube - Blake's Hitch

 

[smokey01]

This is how i roll....err climb keep it simple

YouTube - Blake's Hitch

Ok, thanks for the reference, here is a link that should work and I have to share it because THAT IS THE COOLEST LOG SPLITTER. I want one for my Bobcat!! I said a while back, "for every method there is a better way, for every tool there is a better one"..........I stand corrected, NOBODY WILL EVER INVENT A BETTER LOG SPLITTER THAT THIS!

[video=youtube;Be_ZVY0LOh0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be_ZVY0LOh0&feature=player_detailpage[/video]

 

[Zale]

eye to eye split tail or split tail to like a Blake's hitch?

I do the same with my 80' motion lanyard and I mostly use two Blake's hitch's on split tails.

What is a "80' motion lanyard"?

 

[smokey01]

What is a "80' motion lanyard"?

It is a foot longer than a 79' motion lanyard. (could not help myself)








Like this but I use cinching knots at the carabiners.
I copied this from one of their PDF files and imposed their logo on it to give them the credit they deserve.

Here is an example from the Sherrill Tree catalog referred to as the "M technique"

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[Zale]

How often do you use that system? If I need to double crotch, I'll just use the tail of my rope.

 

[Blakesmaster]

How often do you use that system? If I need to double crotch, I'll just use the tail of my rope.

I think you're missing the point, Zale. It's not about doing something that makes sense, it's about figuring out a way to use as many pieces of equipment in the tree as humanly possible. When you master that you can start to rename simple things like a split tail and climbline into cool, super awesome motion lanyards! Then you'll achieve master treeclimber status.

 

[treeclimber101]

As I lurk and read , I find there are some who embellish there technique tossing out names and types hoping that they appear to have a clue about something ! I am to simple it's obvious to me now , the next time I climb a tree I am bringing up the entire 2012 fall rigging catalog pages 1 through 14 in case I encounter a jeep wrangler hanging in the tree that needs to be removed :msp_smile: or the stray stranded sky diver or the occasional honey badger I am tired of not being prepared

 

[sgreanbeans]

@Blakes and 101, LOL, AWESOME!

Don't over complicate something very simple. K.I.S.S

 

[treeclimber101]

Some guys carry enough metal up there to build a refrigerator and enough rope to rerig a medium size sail boat , its a problem for me when there's 1/4 mile of rope in a 80 ft tree ! Just climb it and take it down not weave a woobie inside of it with all your hanging lines and three points crotchs at some point its a lottery for the ground on which line to hold !:msp_w00t:

 

[sgreanbeans]

I know right (my kids say that all the time) I think the manufacturers are always trying to re-invent the wheel. Paint it cool colors and market it to the gear junkies. There are so many different set ups out there now, that do the same exact thing as the next one. I think a new guy getting into this could get overwhelmed with choices. Some of this stuff is pretty damn pricey as well.
Don't get me wrong, I like my toys, but some of this stuff is redundant, just a new look to the same old thing. I couldn't stand having all that gear in my face, getting caught on everything as I move thru a tree.

 

[smokey01]

As I lurk and read , I find there are some who embellish there technique tossing out names and types hoping that they appear to have a clue about something ! I am to simple it's obvious to me now , the next time I climb a tree I am bringing up the entire 2012 fall rigging catalog pages 1 through 14 in case I encounter a jeep wrangler hanging in the tree that needs to be removed :msp_smile: or the stray stranded sky diver or the occasional honey badger I am tired of not being prepared

This is the 101 site, it is for those that want to share what they learn, what they use, what they see out there. To try different styles, equipment, and techniques. Personally I am new at this (climbing on ropes) and I am ok with that. I don't need to prove anything to anyone and especially some of you guys that want to pick at every comment that is not your own or somehow feel their "macho" is challenged. This is not my day job, I do it part time and for fun. In the past most of my tree work was without rope using a 5/8 inch chain, my Bobcat with a backhoe attachment, digging around the stump and pushing the damn thing over, cutting it up for the wood yard and taking the rest to a mulching company for grinding in my dump trailer. I don't even own a chipper. So don't you worry, I won't be talking about all the cool things and added attachments you can put on your chipper. There is no need for me to "embellish" anything, there is nothing to benefit here from doing that. I have not and will not say I have done something or know something that I do not or have not done. I tend to be passionate about whatever I do and I will read, study and participate in anything that helps me master that passion. True, I need my F350 to carry all of the gear I have purchased, but for me I am enjoying every minute of it. If you want to laugh at a guy jingling like a sleigh ride as he walks to the tree, enjoy that, but let me enjoy my sleigh ride. I want to learn and try all of it........but that is me and that is what works for me, obviously not for you.
I know most of you could climb on a 120' piece of rope and a carabiner, foot locking up the tree and then swing from branch to branch and tree to tree. That is impressive, I give you that but then what are you going to discuss, what are you going to share? Probably not much but even then I am sure you could find something to bicker about and make personal attacks hiding behind the anonymity provided by the internet.
So, what is an 80' motion lanyard. It is what I have used and what I have leaned from the folks at Cornell and it is something I haul into the tree at times. By the way, hauling all that #*%# into the tree is great exercise and part of the great benefit of climbing.
So, now let me go play with my Stiffy and new Singing Tree rope wrench ZK-2 that arrived yesterday to replace the ZK-1 that I have. Then we can talk about all the cool knots that are available and how you can use them, but it won't be very interesting to you if you only use a Bowline and a Timber hitch with your one rope and carabiner but that is ok because that is you.

My day job.........
[video=youtube;KfbJyb2vyOk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfbJyb2vyOk[/video]

 

[smokey01]

....
So, now let me go play with my Stiffy and new Singing Tree rope wrench ZK-2 that arrived yesterday ....

Then I will go relax in one of my really cool chairs for the afternoon.

P.S. You guys all rock........but give all the "macho" a rest. I'm learning a lot from you guys, but don't let it hurt you if you learn a little from a newbie. (That really hurt didn't it) Oh, and yes, I carry a magic marker into the tree and put my "richard was here date" on a bright piece of survey marking tape, just for fun)

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[smokey01]

What knot to use and what not to use.

Coopers hitch

So is that a "mini" coppers hitch?
Ok, I have never read about or seen a Coopers Hitch, for real?? Tell me more or are you hoping I will try it?

 

[KenJax Tree]

Teach me to fly a 747 and i will teach you to climb like a squirrel:msp_biggrin:

 

[smokey01]

I know right (my kids say that all the time) I think the manufacturers are always trying to re-invent the wheel. Paint it cool colors and market it to the gear junkies.......

Well, it's us "gear junkies" buying all the stuff from the above sponsors that then pays this site that makes all this available to you.........you are welcome.
By the way, this new Rope Wrench and Stiffy is SO COOL, if you don't have one you are really missing out. :msp_biggrin:

 

[smokey01]

Teach me to fly a 747 and i will teach you to climb like a squirrel:msp_biggrin:

Ok, but you are going to have to climb like a really really really fast squirrel to pay for the aircraft rental and fuel to put in it.