I got a scare 2 weeks ago

newguy18

I understand what you mean but if you quit working how can you afford to buy new gear?

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Therrin

Maybe he meant quit climbing, and stick to ground work

newguy18

True you could do that.

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Therrin

Not nearly as much fun. And if you're workin with a groundie then you gotta keep em in check. lol

I'm still usin that injured flipline, but I always back it up. Mostly haven't purchased a replacement yet cuz I don't want to buy an inferior line. Noticed that some of you prefer specific products for specific reasons and I'm trying to find a line that I like.

I'd go with Newguy's type of deal, with that trawler cable, but dont know where I'd find some!

newguy18

Refresh my memory what idea and what do you mean by trawler cable?

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reachtreeservice

If you are dead, how can you afford to buy new gear ?

reachtreeservice

You are using a damaged flip line and haven't replaced it yet because you don't want to buy an inferior line ? Would you call a damaged line superior ?
If you are using one damaged line and one good one, there is no back up !
Flip lines are pretty cheap when you consider the cost of being in a wheel chair for the rest of your life or dead.

If I didn't have the cash to replace any of my safety or climbing gear, I'd work day labor until I could buy the gear.

Even with all the proper gear in the world, tree work is still a very dangerous trade. Everyone who ever got hurt didn't make just one mistake, but the last mistake in a chain of mistakes. Working with damaged gear is always one link in the chain of mistakes.

D Mc

Therrin, you should be getting a general feeling now of what most of us think about climbing with compromised gear.

I love cable-core flip lines, not for their additional safety but for the way they flip. They give you a false sense of security because people do exactly what you are doing. "But it cost so much, I CAN'T retire it!" Retire it. Now.

I have personally come out of a tree by doing exactly the same thing. Thinking the exact same way that you are right now. "Well, shoot the cable's in there, it must be fine!" It wasn't. Twenty-five feet, flat on my back, just lucky it was a soft landing.

It responded just as Ekka stated. Once the rope broke, it slid right off the cable core and that was that. When you are repositioning your tie in points, there is that moment where you are relying on that one damaged flip line.

D Mc

Therrin

Wow, look at all the pros comin outta the woodwork!

Actually, just before I jumped back on here tonight I sat down in the living room (tiled floor) and started layin out all my gear. Cutting up bad gear and washing stuff. Retaping some of my biners with their proper color codes, and doing general maint.

I've actually realized that I could cut out the damaged part of that flipline, make an end stopper, and retain the use of at least 7 feet of it.

Also just made several more lanyards, and started washing some ropes.

Going to do 10 TD's tomorow, wanted to make sure everything was in good shape.

D Mc

Therrin, going over your gear in a careful, organized manner like that is a good habit.

But, really, color coding your carabiners???

Seriously, does anybody else do that?

No really, good job.

D Mc

JayD

Hi,
I think the trawler cable idea comes from a post, Streyken posted?...Ekka should be able to comfirm this or point us in the right direction, One method you could use if a piece of equipment is sus,Back it up..one method of prolonging use if you are cash strapped , folks....a simple piece of climbing line will do it...Think thru what you are doing...be carefull. Live to be a burden on your kids...paybacks are a pleasure

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shaggs

Yes, I "colour code" my crabs. I use all steel n colour the ones for personal use.

D Mc

Ok, I thought color coding biners was pretty OCD but color coding your "crabs"???

Just busting your chops guys. Do what works for you, don't care what anybody else says. Personally, if I color coded my carabiners, I'ld need to take a cheat sheet up the tree with me to tell me what each one for suppose to do. I just have to keep it simple.

D Mc

newguy18

I agree do what works for you but on that note just remember there is always room for improvement in this industry.

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JayD

That's so true,Stay with tried and proven methods they got you to where you are today,Check out the new inovations and if you can see them working for you incorporate them into your climbing system, If not stay with what you know!

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D Mc

JayD, you nailed it there. I wouldn't still be climbing if it weren't for some of the new innovations and advancements.

My favorite rig at the moment that I use at every opportunity is velocity 11mm, run up through an adjustable false crotch that has a Rock Exotica swivel pulley then hooked into my Lockjack. Even though by biceps seem to have disappeared some place, I can still fly through the tree because of the reduced friction.

D Mc

newguy18

I haven't bought a friction saver yet but i plan to in the future.The only ascenders I trust are the gibbs and for working positioning I use a distel but if I'm gonna bodythrust all the way to the top then I use a 5 wrap blakes.Ekka

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ropensaddle

Yeah it stinks when you let a friend borrow some of your gear
and you get it back to find your best climb rope has been spurred
at mid line! I don't usually let them borrow my gear but the guy has
climbed well over ten years and I let him from time to time at least
he told me. I let him borrow my best gear though as I would rather
have a ruined rope than a dead friend just stinks having to replace it!

Therrin

Mmmm, my apologies. I *had* intended to say "Streyken", not "Newguy". I thought the whole trawler cable idea was excellent, for me. I'm on dialup where I'm ranch sitting, so sorry if my replies come sporadically and bunched up.

I really do appreciate your guy's concern, and wouldn't want to lead any of the readers astray in propper gear handling. When I first taught myself I usually had 3 seperate tie-ins, because I was really paranoid. Some time's I still do, but mostly for work-positioning.

For cleaning gear, when I'm working regularly I do that type of maintenance pretty frequently. Lately I've been in 3 weeks of finals for EMT and hadn't done it in a bit.
It's certainly the type of thing for anyone else to think of if they expect to start up a business of some kind, as there are many people who would overlook something important like that.

As for color coding my biners... some of you know that I came over in climbing from being a ropes and rock climbing course instructor. Since I had done all types of climbing, I had a "rack" of gear. I'd tape all of my equipment blue, for example. Then when I got together with other people, I could always tell what gear was mine.

For arborist work, I code my personal biners red, and my rigging stuff blue. Alot of my rigging stuff *could* be used for personal use, but I don't like to use anything for myself that has had large loads hung on it. So I tape them to keep them easily identifiable at a quick glance.

Therrin

Ahh, forgot to mention, I used some rope to make a couple of those cinching bowline loops you guys use. Looks like a great idea. On smooth trunked stuff I used to use 2 or 3 lanyards made from 1" tubular webbing. If you cut-out, the webbing would catch on the bark alot quicker. I'll see if I like the way you guys do it on the pines I'm doing tomorow.

Also gonna set up a speedline. Tried one a bit ago but didn't get the rythm going. Gonna try it again tomorow because the situation is perfect for it, I think. Was supposed to do them today but had to reschedule. I'll let ya know how it goes.

newguy18

I only carry 3 tie ins while taking down these huge oaks.On most of the pines cheeries cypress and cedars I can usaually get by with the climb line a saftey with a wrap and a leg lock.

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D Mc

Therrin, I would like to thank you for the few moments of jocularity that the vision of your color-coded carabiners provided in my mind's eye. Now that you have explained it makes perfect sense (but is a lot less funny).

On a more serious note, on the separation of climbing vs rigging gear. For me, I have learned that I prefer to have a tactile difference so all my carabiners for rigging and carabiners for climbing are of different shapes. It seems to help me keep things straight.

D Mc

newguy18

Geez maybe I shuld rename the thread how do you sort and inspect your gear.

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D Mc

Sorry, threads, like DNA , tend to degrade over time.

D Mc

newguy18

Its no big deal I just posted it so that maybe someone would benifit from on of my closecalls and to remind us how important the second tie in is.

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Therrin

Think of it as a dual-use thread

Oh, and D Mc, I actually got a laugh with you at the mental picture you provided. I could almost see myself with biners taped orange, red, yellow, purple, green and such... it *was* pretty funny.

Was gonna mention how my speedlining went, but decided that in order to keep this from becoming a triple-use thread, I'll go find the speedlining thread.

newguy18

Heck go ahead and post it here everytime someone mentions that incident I laugh about it.It wasn't a big deal I just posted it to show newbies who are just starting out how important that second tie in is.

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quercus

We actually don't have a ladder... Not because we're cheap, but working on ladders is a big no-no in my business... What can't be done with a pole-saw must be climbed, when climbing isn't possible or safe we use a crane or aerial platform.