First ascent

OsAGe85 · 2nd August 2007, 03:35 PM

Yup this could quit possibly be a dumb question but when you first set your rope when you dont have hooks/spikes, whatever you wanna call'em, what is or would be the best way to go about it climbing wise? Given that the lowest limb was about 20 ft. up or so. Footlocking? Maybe? I used a taut line hitch and pulled myself up, but man, That wore me plum out.

Quintrex · 2nd August 2007, 08:11 PM

Rope walking is quicker and easier, done on a single rope. Like anything else in this industry, you need correct training to be safe and efficient.
You will also nee a foot ascender and special loops to be used with your existing climbing gear.
Steve

TrevMcRev · 3rd August 2007, 06:53 AM

You dont need any fancy gear or tricks just yet. A 20 foot ascent is fine the way you did it for a newbie, just a matter of good technique and specific strength conditioning. No one said it was easy, but after a while you can do it all day long.

Ekka · 3rd August 2007, 07:19 AM

Trunk walk, way easier than air humping.

I see you've seen the video.

Also, easier when the rope you are pulling isn't over the branch but thru a cambium saver or pulley.

dguntertrees · 25th August 2007, 03:39 AM

20ft?
A simple prussik system should be easily adequate. Valdetain Tresse even easier.
Cambium saver is also good for the tree!

Therrin · 8th November 2007, 12:56 PM

20ft? I'd agree with a simple prussik system.
However, when I do projects where I use ropes and ascenders, in lieu of gaffs,
I use a Petzl mini-traxion at my waist and use it set as an ascender. Along with that I use a Petzl Tibloc, along with a biner and footloop. This system is much cheaper than buying sets of handled ascenders, and it has allowed me to shinny straight up a rope as much as 140' with very little effort.

At something like 20' that system is useable, but buying two lengths of prussik cord, tying them into loops using a double-fishermans, and then tying prussik knots on your main line is probably the easiest/cheapest way of doing it, while staying safe.

bigshea13 · 8th November 2007, 03:57 PM

therrin, could you go into a little more detail possibly a diagram....the setup sounds simple.

newguy18 · 10th November 2007, 08:05 PM

I used to use tauline all the time but you are better off to go with a differnt hitch.I use a distel but for long body thrusts I use a five wrap blakes [thanks Ekka].

Tree Machine · 16th November 2007, 04:21 AM

The methods described are excellent for specific strength training, the friction hitches phenomonal method for pulling two lengths and going up one (cardio training), SRT ropewalker system if you like additional gear and time rigging (and understand friction control on 1:1 single rope) and friction savers because you like extra rigging / unrigging time and plan to create friction where friction doesn't have to be.

I like the mini-traxion idea, esp as a safe backup to an easier system (cammed pully, highly self-tending).

Tibloc, also handy for backup, single line, not on 13 mm, though.

The excellent methods descibed work for ascending a rope, but are far from the 'easiest'. I am very encouraged that 'air humping' wasn't listed as an 'easy' method.

OsaGE85, it's not a dumb question, it really is one of the first questions. Ascending with ascenders is the easiest, simplest, quickest on/off, straight-forward and secure. If you choose to do the ascent without them, you'll need to try out any number of 'conventional' ways. All are amply difficult and you need to compare one to another, each sort of fitted to the level and style climber you are. There's no 'one' method that levels the playing field. Like anything, you try different stuff and see how it works for you.

I prefer simplicity, almost to the point of cheating. I find zero reason to make ascending a tree any harder than it already is.

JayD · 16th November 2007, 01:24 PM

I think a double prussik system one tied at each end of your climbing rope , while advanceing your rope manually up into the tree is a good safe technique to learn the basics, Yes it is difficult/hard untill you get used to it/fitter but is definately safer,if you happen to invert your prussik works just as well both ways, Once you becomes proficient at this system start slowly adding on the bells and whistles, Just remember low and slow and speed will follow, I remember my first climb useing this system like it was yesterday....because it really wasn't that long ago...I would haul my butt as far as I could...to my next pitching piont if I could so being buggered would blend and I could fiddle with my ropes taking a breather..LOL..When I came down out of the tree I noticed I gouged out a chunk of skin of my ring finger from advanceing the friction hitch, now I wear cheap silicon diped gloves I buy from bunning's at $2.50 a pair their great and I get about 3/4 climbs out of them,and your hand's seem to callouse up straight away.IMO.

2nd August 2007, 03:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
OsAGe85 Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Littlerock Arkansas US Posts: 66	First ascent Yup this could quit possibly be a dumb question but when you first set your rope when you dont have hooks/spikes, whatever you wanna call'em, what is or would be the best way to go about it climbing wise? Given that the lowest limb was about 20 ft. up or so. Footlocking? Maybe? I used a taut line hitch and pulled myself up, but man, That wore me plum out. __________________ Gotta love the smell 2 stroke and wood chips. Be smart, be safe.

3rd August 2007, 06:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
TrevMcRev Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 734	You dont need any fancy gear or tricks just yet. A 20 foot ascent is fine the way you did it for a newbie, just a matter of good technique and specific strength conditioning. No one said it was easy, but after a while you can do it all day long. __________________ Melbourne Arborist, Total Tree Care, Pruning, Tree and Stump Removal

3rd August 2007, 07:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,847	Trunk walk, way easier than air humping. I see you've seen the video. Also, easier when the rope you are pulling isn't over the branch but thru a cambium saver or pulley. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

8th November 2007, 12:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,270	Re: First ascent 20ft? I'd agree with a simple prussik system. However, when I do projects where I use ropes and ascenders, in lieu of gaffs, I use a Petzl mini-traxion at my waist and use it set as an ascender. Along with that I use a Petzl Tibloc, along with a biner and footloop. This system is much cheaper than buying sets of handled ascenders, and it has allowed me to shinny straight up a rope as much as 140' with very little effort. At something like 20' that system is useable, but buying two lengths of prussik cord, tying them into loops using a double-fishermans, and then tying prussik knots on your main line is probably the easiest/cheapest way of doing it, while staying safe.

8th November 2007, 03:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
bigshea13 Mature tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: hiding Posts: 378	Re: First ascent therrin, could you go into a little more detail possibly a diagram....the setup sounds simple.

2nd August 2007, 08:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Quintrex Mature tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 457	Rope walking is quicker and easier, done on a single rope. Like anything else in this industry, you need correct training to be safe and efficient. You will also nee a foot ascender and special loops to be used with your existing climbing gear. Steve

25th August 2007, 03:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
dguntertrees Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mudgeeraba, SE Queensland Posts: 123	20ft? A simple prussik system should be easily adequate. Valdetain Tresse even easier. Cambium saver is also good for the tree!

10th November 2007, 08:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,646	Re: First ascent I used to use tauline all the time but you are better off to go with a differnt hitch.I use a distel but for long body thrusts I use a five wrap blakes [thanks Ekka]. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

16th November 2007, 04:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tree Machine Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 569	The methods described are excellent for specific strength training, the friction hitches phenomonal method for pulling two lengths and going up one (cardio training), SRT ropewalker system if you like additional gear and time rigging (and understand friction control on 1:1 single rope) and friction savers because you like extra rigging / unrigging time and plan to create friction where friction doesn't have to be. I like the mini-traxion idea, esp as a safe backup to an easier system (cammed pully, highly self-tending). Tibloc, also handy for backup, single line, not on 13 mm, though. The excellent methods descibed work for ascending a rope, but are far from the 'easiest'. I am very encouraged that 'air humping' wasn't listed as an 'easy' method. OsaGE85, it's not a dumb question, it really is one of the first questions. Ascending with ascenders is the easiest, simplest, quickest on/off, straight-forward and secure. If you choose to do the ascent without them, you'll need to try out any number of 'conventional' ways. All are amply difficult and you need to compare one to another, each sort of fitted to the level and style climber you are. There's no 'one' method that levels the playing field. Like anything, you try different stuff and see how it works for you. I prefer simplicity, almost to the point of cheating. I find zero reason to make ascending a tree any harder than it already is.

16th November 2007, 01:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
JayD Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 931	Re: First ascent I think a double prussik system one tied at each end of your climbing rope , while advanceing your rope manually up into the tree is a good safe technique to learn the basics, Yes it is difficult/hard untill you get used to it/fitter but is definately safer,if you happen to invert your prussik works just as well both ways, Once you becomes proficient at this system start slowly adding on the bells and whistles, Just remember low and slow and speed will follow, I remember my first climb useing this system like it was yesterday....because it really wasn't that long ago...I would haul my butt as far as I could...to my next pitching piont if I could so being buggered would blend and I could fiddle with my ropes taking a breather..LOL..When I came down out of the tree I noticed I gouged out a chunk of skin of my ring finger from advanceing the friction hitch, now I wear cheap silicon diped gloves I buy from bunning's at $2.50 a pair their great and I get about 3/4 climbs out of them,and your hand's seem to callouse up straight away.IMO. __________________ Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Last edited by JayD : 16th November 2007 at 09:08 PM.

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