Diesel JD
ArboristSite Guru
I played around with the DRT technique tonight. I was taking out a limb or two in a small(6"dbh) hardwood for my dad. As I have told you all, I tried my hand at climbing before, but didn't know about the friction hitches, so I had to hold myself up on the rope when I'd climb. No rest unless I was lanyarded in. Very tough, and the Blake's just makes climbing much easier, but one problem I did have was keeping the Blake's within easy grabbing distance. Seemed to slip up the rope and stuff. Never completely out of reach, just a strain. I wonder if my "bridge rope" was too long? It is a different climbing quality rope, maybe 5' in length. Another thing, after watching Ekka's video again, it looks like I was falling back on some old bad habits and making this harder than it has to be. I was pulling up with both hand and the frantically grasping for the Blakes. Looks liek correct technique is to pull up with one hand and grasp the Blake's hitch with the other...correct? Finally, I had forgotten how nasty rope burn is...what kinda gloves do you all recommend for DRT climbing. Thanks,
J.D.
J.D.