THC
ArboristSite Lurker
This is a bit long and I hope it does not bore anyone. But if you don't ask, then how do you learn??
Gentlemen,
The ole Marine is back and I want to describe a first climb for you guys to criticize. This means, point out dangers, errors, where I could have improved technique, and anything else that comes to mind.
If you guys may remember, I had asked what to buy as a beginner for climbing into the trees that were damaged due to severe storms we had last spring.
I have read “The Tree Climbers Companion” by Jeff Jepson and am using the traditional climbing system. That is where the Sampson Blue line is thrown over a natural crotch, tided to a locking carabiner using a clove hitch, the carabiner is latched to the two saddle rings and the balance of the line is tied to the running line using a Blake’s Hitch with a Figure Eight stopper knot.
OK, now for the action.
The tree is a 50 year old wild Cherry that is some what diseased as smaller limbs are rotting and falling out from time to time. The base is a good 24 plus inches in diameter, with few horizontal limbs spaced at about 6 to 8 feet apart going up the main trunk which splits off at approximately 10 feet in to two near vertical trunks and then again into four verticle trunks at about 20 feet extending on up for another 30 feet to the top canopy.
The objective was to remove one of the four trunks that was broken and hanging at about 35 feet above the ground. The hanging limb is about 20 or so feet in length and at the base 8 inches in diameter. The break was about 30 inches above the nearest horizontal limb of which there were very few. Every foot rest was in a closing crotch that I had to place the heel of the boot into for what little comfort could be had.
Having inspected the tree and my equipment, my first task is to get the 12 oz throw bag tied to a throw line, using a Figure Eight knot, to fall over the natural crotch of the closest main trunk near the broken trunk. This crotch was about 20 or so feet up and after some 17 tries I finally managed to drape the line over the desired crotch. Of course, this was not perfect as the line snagged on a small stub about 30” from the crotch. I then pulled the throw line and bag up near the stub and dropped the bag to the ground. This removed it from the other branches and provided a vertical drop.
Now please keep in mind I have practiced on a small walnut tree in the back yard for a climb of 5 to 8 feet, so I only have a small inkling of how to do this. The climbing rope has been pulled over the limb, still caught on the small stub and both ends are in hand. I used the whipping technique Jeff describes to free the rope from the stub and it then rests correctly in the crotch.
I tied in as previously described, and began the ascent. The first thing I observe is that my feet barely reach the trunk and so the walking up the trunk is out. Here I have a question. How do you fellows pull your body weight upward to then slide the Blake’s Hitch upward for the next pull. I cannot grip the line tightly enough to pull up. The rope simply slides through my grip. I have fairly heavy gloves and so I made two wraps around the right hand and with both hands I was able to pull up say 12 or so inches each time before sliding the Blake’s Hitch upward.
As I progressed up the tree, I removed dead material and one small ½” live branch that was in the way. Nearing the natural crotch I was able to use the trunk to help the climb and then reached the first horizontal limb that was 5 feet or so below the tie in crotch. From here I used a rope lanyard and climbed/shinnied up to the working point slightly above the broken piece to be removed. Having arrived, I find myself with my back to the work and not much to hold on to for use to get turned around. I used the lanyard to keep me secured should there be a slip or limb break. The only foot hold was a closing crotch that was not great and reaching out on to the work branch/trunk, there was a small 2-1/2” diameter horizontal branch I could use.
The unusual thing about all this is that I did not fail to bring the Fanno saw with me. My first cut was to reduce the weight on the hanging branch. This was accomplished by cutting below the break by about 30 inches or so which permitted the maximum of material to fall away from me and leave me with a much lighter broken piece to handle.
Cutting these pieces from this cramped position was not easy. Three saw cuts later and about 45 minutes, the broken and rotted material fell away to the ground. My problem now is to get down.
I had not disconnected from the climbing line and carried it up the 5 or so feet that was needed to get to the work area. At times this was a problem as I would step on the rope, in turning the feet would get tangled somewhat, but I managed. From the safety point of view, this was probably not a good practice. However should I have slipped, the lanyard would have caught me.
After climbing down below the crotch in which the climbing rope was passed through, I checked the Blake’s Hitch and pushed back from the trunk. This is where I found that I could keep my left hand on the Blake’s Hitch and holding the running line, I could slide the Blake’s Hitch down, then hold the running line out near horizontally to control the decent speed. On the ground again, I laid out my climbing rope, recoiled it back into the bag, rolled up the throw line, which I need to find a small reel for easily rolling it up and I was ready for clean up.
That is it gentlemen!! Let me know your thoughts. I am an old fool, and will appreciate all of your comments. I have to say, this was a challenge, and actually fun to do. I have never used a rope to climb a tree before. It is really neat.
Best regards,
THC
Gentlemen,
The ole Marine is back and I want to describe a first climb for you guys to criticize. This means, point out dangers, errors, where I could have improved technique, and anything else that comes to mind.
If you guys may remember, I had asked what to buy as a beginner for climbing into the trees that were damaged due to severe storms we had last spring.
I have read “The Tree Climbers Companion” by Jeff Jepson and am using the traditional climbing system. That is where the Sampson Blue line is thrown over a natural crotch, tided to a locking carabiner using a clove hitch, the carabiner is latched to the two saddle rings and the balance of the line is tied to the running line using a Blake’s Hitch with a Figure Eight stopper knot.
OK, now for the action.
The tree is a 50 year old wild Cherry that is some what diseased as smaller limbs are rotting and falling out from time to time. The base is a good 24 plus inches in diameter, with few horizontal limbs spaced at about 6 to 8 feet apart going up the main trunk which splits off at approximately 10 feet in to two near vertical trunks and then again into four verticle trunks at about 20 feet extending on up for another 30 feet to the top canopy.
The objective was to remove one of the four trunks that was broken and hanging at about 35 feet above the ground. The hanging limb is about 20 or so feet in length and at the base 8 inches in diameter. The break was about 30 inches above the nearest horizontal limb of which there were very few. Every foot rest was in a closing crotch that I had to place the heel of the boot into for what little comfort could be had.
Having inspected the tree and my equipment, my first task is to get the 12 oz throw bag tied to a throw line, using a Figure Eight knot, to fall over the natural crotch of the closest main trunk near the broken trunk. This crotch was about 20 or so feet up and after some 17 tries I finally managed to drape the line over the desired crotch. Of course, this was not perfect as the line snagged on a small stub about 30” from the crotch. I then pulled the throw line and bag up near the stub and dropped the bag to the ground. This removed it from the other branches and provided a vertical drop.
Now please keep in mind I have practiced on a small walnut tree in the back yard for a climb of 5 to 8 feet, so I only have a small inkling of how to do this. The climbing rope has been pulled over the limb, still caught on the small stub and both ends are in hand. I used the whipping technique Jeff describes to free the rope from the stub and it then rests correctly in the crotch.
I tied in as previously described, and began the ascent. The first thing I observe is that my feet barely reach the trunk and so the walking up the trunk is out. Here I have a question. How do you fellows pull your body weight upward to then slide the Blake’s Hitch upward for the next pull. I cannot grip the line tightly enough to pull up. The rope simply slides through my grip. I have fairly heavy gloves and so I made two wraps around the right hand and with both hands I was able to pull up say 12 or so inches each time before sliding the Blake’s Hitch upward.
As I progressed up the tree, I removed dead material and one small ½” live branch that was in the way. Nearing the natural crotch I was able to use the trunk to help the climb and then reached the first horizontal limb that was 5 feet or so below the tie in crotch. From here I used a rope lanyard and climbed/shinnied up to the working point slightly above the broken piece to be removed. Having arrived, I find myself with my back to the work and not much to hold on to for use to get turned around. I used the lanyard to keep me secured should there be a slip or limb break. The only foot hold was a closing crotch that was not great and reaching out on to the work branch/trunk, there was a small 2-1/2” diameter horizontal branch I could use.
The unusual thing about all this is that I did not fail to bring the Fanno saw with me. My first cut was to reduce the weight on the hanging branch. This was accomplished by cutting below the break by about 30 inches or so which permitted the maximum of material to fall away from me and leave me with a much lighter broken piece to handle.
Cutting these pieces from this cramped position was not easy. Three saw cuts later and about 45 minutes, the broken and rotted material fell away to the ground. My problem now is to get down.
I had not disconnected from the climbing line and carried it up the 5 or so feet that was needed to get to the work area. At times this was a problem as I would step on the rope, in turning the feet would get tangled somewhat, but I managed. From the safety point of view, this was probably not a good practice. However should I have slipped, the lanyard would have caught me.
After climbing down below the crotch in which the climbing rope was passed through, I checked the Blake’s Hitch and pushed back from the trunk. This is where I found that I could keep my left hand on the Blake’s Hitch and holding the running line, I could slide the Blake’s Hitch down, then hold the running line out near horizontally to control the decent speed. On the ground again, I laid out my climbing rope, recoiled it back into the bag, rolled up the throw line, which I need to find a small reel for easily rolling it up and I was ready for clean up.
That is it gentlemen!! Let me know your thoughts. I am an old fool, and will appreciate all of your comments. I have to say, this was a challenge, and actually fun to do. I have never used a rope to climb a tree before. It is really neat.
Best regards,
THC
