Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

Hi all, i am going to buy some kit very soon and cant decide what set up to use to ascend trees. I have just been using a very basic prussik to ascend. But when it comes to big trees its a pain in the arse and can get tiring. I have been a rock climbing instructor for years and rope access technician but both industries use very different methods. Any advice or recomended systems would be greatly appreciated. Pictures welcome.
Cheers
Paul

easies addition is an ascender with a foot strop. You can keep your prussik aswell, maybe just have a long 1 for up the way and a shorter for around the crown

Yeah i have been using that as well sorry forgot to say. Thats what we use in rope access. I have a basic pulley and prussik system for my side strop. I know theres hundreds of systems for ascending but i was wondering if there is one that people could recomend (simple but easy). And also if people know where is the cheapest place online to get such kit. I know FR Jones and sons is very cheap. Theres nowhere near me that i can go to have a look and a dangle in a harness.

a device that lets you climb for a metre or two, then pull slack through is what you need.
the spiderjack is the expensive option, or for about £70 you can get a hitch climber set up (hc, two crabs and 1.5m friction cord)

Hitch climber would be good with a pantin even better!

Iv'e been turned over to SRT for ascent and ascent only

Microfrog/rope walker! for me.

Ascension + footloop, croll, pantin

need some pics?

how you getting to the top?throw line then the long haul?
I usualy climb using the limbs to help nowere near as tiring as climbing the whole tree in one(unless your spiking).

If you already have the gear to ascend on a prusik, just changing to a more responsive friction hitch on a split tail [with a prusik, micropulley & crab to self tend] will speed things up no end. I was using a prusik foot loop as well but have added a croll onto that so I can move it up without the struggling that comes from a prusik. I can actually motor up the trees now by my standards!
However, as I've found, it won't be long before you're wanting to try a hitch climber, so just as well spend the 70 quid now and be done with it.... that's my next purchase!

You should just about be able to see a blakes hitch on the split tail, the pulley under it is clipped to a prusik on the standing line, the croll is in my hand being clipped on with the loop hanging down.
This could only be easier if I hung another foot loop and used both feet, it's just stand up, sit down, lift the croll, stand up, sit down.
Piece of cake!

Thanks for all the advice so far. Arbtalk has helped me a lot since the biginning of my arb career. I have used crolls a lot in rope access but to be honest i have heard the hitch climber pop up everywhere so unless something else pops up think ill go for that. I really like the idea of it and simplicity. Is it just oval Krabs that can be used with it?

No but it does work alot better with them