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Tree Machine · 2nd September 2007, 08:10 PM

There's a lot of devices that can be used, but I will suggest, rather than explore the vast world of mechanical devices, that we focus our efforts.

It's been suggested numerous places in this thread that ascenders be used for the ascent. For the most versatility, the dual-handled dual ascenders by Kong are favored. There is a further reason for this:

Of the three rope techniques (dynamic doubled, static doubled and SRT), static doubled is the least-used, by far. However, I find it, by far, the fastest, simplest, most efficient and easiest to learn method of accessing a crown; both ends of the rope are on the ground, clip the Kong Duals onto the doubled rope, set your backup safety and go. Footlocking a doubled, parallel line is easier than a single line, there is very little friction working against you and it is a 1:1 ascent.

Once up there, clip a work positioning device onto the doubled lines and go to work. 1:1 descent, all the friction coming from the device, your entire weight divided equally onto each of the two lines. There is no motion at the tie-in point. Very nice for pines. The rope doesn't travel over the crotch or limb, so it doesn't get covered in pitch, except for maybe the small zone that drapes over at the top.

Mastering this 1:1 static doubled rope technique automatically teaches and allows you to use the other two methods, the traditional 2:1 dynamic doubled rope technique, and single rope technique.

If you are using a device that allows 1:1 doubled rope technique and the device handles both sides of the rope independently, if you lock off one side and let the other side run, you are now in 2:1 dynamic doubled rope technique except instead of the one end of the rope anchored to you, the rope is anchored midline.

If you anchor one end of the line to the base of the tree, or up at the tie-in point, and use only one side of the device, there you have SRT.

The point is, we're trying to expand outward here, not do something we're already doing, whether it's different or even improved. We're opening up into an arena where what you've BEEN doing becomes an option. You're not leaving your old methods behind, you're just giving yourself new options, all three rope techniques and the ability to segue in and out of any or all of them at will.

2nd September 2007, 08:10 PM	#204 (permalink)
Tree Machine Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 714	Three rope techniques There's a lot of devices that can be used, but I will suggest, rather than explore the vast world of mechanical devices, that we focus our efforts. It's been suggested numerous places in this thread that ascenders be used for the ascent. For the most versatility, the dual-handled dual ascenders by Kong are favored. There is a further reason for this: Of the three rope techniques (dynamic doubled, static doubled and SRT), static doubled is the least-used, by far. However, I find it, by far, the fastest, simplest, most efficient and easiest to learn method of accessing a crown; both ends of the rope are on the ground, clip the Kong Duals onto the doubled rope, set your backup safety and go. Footlocking a doubled, parallel line is easier than a single line, there is very little friction working against you and it is a 1:1 ascent. Once up there, clip a work positioning device onto the doubled lines and go to work. 1:1 descent, all the friction coming from the device, your entire weight divided equally onto each of the two lines. There is no motion at the tie-in point. Very nice for pines. The rope doesn't travel over the crotch or limb, so it doesn't get covered in pitch, except for maybe the small zone that drapes over at the top. Mastering this 1:1 static doubled rope technique automatically teaches and allows you to use the other two methods, the traditional 2:1 dynamic doubled rope technique, and single rope technique. If you are using a device that allows 1:1 doubled rope technique and the device handles both sides of the rope independently, if you lock off one side and let the other side run, you are now in 2:1 dynamic doubled rope technique except instead of the one end of the rope anchored to you, the rope is anchored midline. If you anchor one end of the line to the base of the tree, or up at the tie-in point, and use only one side of the device, there you have SRT. The point is, we're trying to expand outward here, not do something we're already doing, whether it's different or even improved. We're opening up into an arena where what you've BEEN doing becomes an option. You're not leaving your old methods behind, you're just giving yourself new options, all three rope techniques and the ability to segue in and out of any or all of them at will.