Canopy access

[No_Bivy]

Can't say, haven't tried uni yet.....not on tour here. I use srt only for access. So far I havent seen a srt that can tend slack back in from a long limb walk.

[Steve Bullman]

does anyone work Ddrt off their srt system?

[rumination]

Not often, but occasionally I will attach a pulley with my Ddrt system to the bottom hole of the ascender and use that as my tether to the ascender. I have a prusik backup on the top of the ascender and when I get to where I want to work I put my weight on the prusik and disengage the ascender. After watching the most recent round of competition I'm going to start putting a marlinspike in the SRT line underneath the prusik. I'd like to get a Rocker at some point as that seems like it would be easier and smoother than the prusik.

[Steve Bullman]

i was reading an interesting thread at www.treebuzz.com that discussed using srt to gain a higher anchor point where the anchor point was questionable. run the srt line through a sling at a safe point on the trunk so if the highest anchor point fails you'll only fall to the next safety, much like lead climbing with quickdraws i suppose, or at least this is how i understood it. meanwhile you're working Ddrt off of the srt.

[Sciadopitys]

I use SRT quite a lot. I secure one end of the rope to the base of the tree (or another tree!) with a running bowline with Yosemite tie-off. Then climb the other end with two petzls ascenders (left + right) clipped together with a carabiner and clipped to my harness using a rater webbing sling. I just footlock the single rope and i fly up the line (much quicker than footlocking a double line!) I have heard that mechanical ascenders should be backer up with a friction hitch, but i personally just use the left and the right one (thats it!) what are the chances of em both failing together?? surely one backs up the other!

 

If anyones trying this for the first time please be aware that the limb you are climbing to is subjected to twice the force you put on it with your own weight as the other end of the rope is secured to the tree!! (remember your physics from school?)

 

And take care when u reach the canopy not to climb through the crotch or over the limb you are anchored on, because once you reach that limb and go over it nothing is securing you to the tree! Yopu can fall out!!!!!!!

 

I love SRT, i think its faster and uses less energy than footlocking a double rope!!!! And you have the added bonus of having a rescue line in place should the worst happen!! You can even set up the system with a petzl ID at the base of the tree so that the ground crew can lower you to safety should anything go wrong (pass out, bee attack!!) on your ascent!! It saves a someone climbing the line and doing a complicated rescue!! (i know its not likely to ever happen, but its good to get your mind thinking about what you'd do if it ever does happen!)

 

As for cost..........a couple of ascenders (or 1 and a friction hitch), a carabiner and a webbing strap - not that expensive i don't think! And a static rope helps - we use snakebite!

 

I didn't think SRT was that common but the guys i'm working with swear by it, and i can see why! I'm a big fan!

 

I think footlocking the single line is much easier then mesing around with footloops and stuff.

 

Whats everyone else reckon?

 

W

[Sciadopitys]

Oh, some of the guys i work with work a ddrt off the SRT, but i seriously doubt that the system i have seen them use is that reliably! They go up on ascenders and clip a carabiner into the lower one with a micro-pulley on it, then set up the Ddrt tghru that pulley!

 

I have always been taught that Petzl hand ascenders are not to be trusted when shockloaded and they can rip the rope and fail - so i have not climbed like this! I suppose you could just tie an alpin butterfly and clip the pulley intio there or just tie a prus. loop around at the desired height and away you go!

 

Whats your thoughts Steve? Have u tried this?

 

E

[Peter]

I reckon using a Pantin instead of footlocking a single line is easier, quicker, and kinder to your body.

[Peter]

You should never work straight off the ascender. Just as you say, alpine butterfly with a biner through it, or friction hitch backed up with a marlin spike with a biner through it.

[Sciadopitys]

The pantin is great when ur up against the trunk and footlocking is tricky! Otherwise i prefer to footlock!

[Lee Winger]

Helium balloons for me...