top friction

[tree-fancier123]

On 09/01/2018 at 19:31, Dilz said:

for me the only real benefit i've noticed is when working as a two man crew (1 climber 1 groundy) as once the piece was cut i could take control of the lowering line whilst the groundy walked the piece away and still have the advantage of friction.

so if there is only one groundy and a tagline is needed to pull stuff clear of a roof for example, snatching the piece using a stub, or even having a small portawrap sent up could be worth it. There must be hardware maybe from  rescue gear like the Petzl ID that could be attached on a sling inboard of the cut to allow fishing pole style dismantling of large branches - some gadget that can withstand the drop force on the rope when locked, then lets the climber control the descent with a lever?

The ID looks like it would wreck the rope, but the ISC D4 looks more like something that could be used as top friction in self lowering

http://www.iscwales.com/Products/Descenders/RP880-D4-Work-Rescue-Descender/16614/

Edited January 14, 2018 by tree-fancier123

[Mick Dempsey]

14 hours ago, Dilz said:

that would be much appreciated - i hate trying to describe stuff much better to show than tell. 

Ok, see if this makes sense.

 

Picture 1. Monkey has thrown the rope with the crab through the fork of the branch he’s going to self lower. He then brings the rope back to a handy stub, goes around the branch, then the stub a couple of times to lock it securely.

 

Picture 2. He makes the cut and let’s the branch drop safely (no running, it drops and stays)

he can then stow the saw undo a couple of loops and lower it to the groundy.

 

 

 

 

[Gary Prentice]

A monkey 

 

 

[skc101fc]

Is the little fella available for subbing work? Looks like he's well experienced with old school stuff that works, that newbies are not educated in.
[emoji106]

[Mick Dempsey]

2 minutes ago, skc101fc said:

Is the little fella available for subbing work? Looks like he's well experienced with old school stuff that works, that newbies are not educated in.

If you supply the PG tips, he’s game!

[James Atkinson]

I like the fact he’s very pleased with himself! I use this technique on small stuff, when a tree needs like one of two easy branches to lower

[Mick Dempsey]

You can even use the end of your climbing line, if you’re the sort that likes to watch the world burn.

[Mark Bolam]

Best explanation of a technique for ages Mick, quality!

As said, really handy for the odd piece.

When there’s lots of rigging involved though, it’s time to break out the block, the bollard, and add another groundy.

I get the Safebloc concept for compromised stems, but I’ve managed without one for long enough.

[arbogrunt]

I've tried it and must say I prefer a pulley up top and the friction at the base. It's fine when everything runs, but when you get a piece caught up, it's very difficult to pull it up to free it. I only use mine for small stuff and as a redirect now. Each to their own....

[Dilz]

2 hours ago, Mick Dempsey said:

You can even use the end of your climbing line, if you’re the sort that likes to watch the world burn.

Now i get what you mean!! - yeah done this kind of thing loads ,  often though i'll use a couple of slings and tie it off inside the cut then just grab it and chuck it. or then lower it with the tail of my climbing line, maybe even run it through a figure of 8 or a krab for better control -  have been know to use the end of my climbing line . Do a similar thing with small tops as well - bit like using the old topping down stop method. - Its a method that works well in the right situation thats for sure - not handy when you need stuff to swing right over to the other side of the tree.