Testing anchor point..

[Retired Climber]

15 minutes ago, john87 said:

Anchor i am thinking of is shown as best i can in the photo below.

The main stem is about 10 inch diameter then a vertical spar about 5 inch diameter goes up matby ten feet then splits into two, one about 4 inch diameter and the other about 2 and a half or a bit more. Whole lot is about 50 feet up, which is a lot for me!!

 

Photo is a bit crap but you will get the idea!!

 

john..

 

With that kind of stuff I'd anchor around the vertical stem, with the branches essentially stopping the anchor slipping down. I probably wouldn't simply anchor over the branches, if that makes sense? 

[john87]

25 minutes ago, Retired Climber said:

With that kind of stuff I'd anchor around the vertical stem, with the branches essentially stopping the anchor slipping down. I probably wouldn't simply anchor over the branches, if that makes sense? 

Yes, i understand what you mean. Difficulty for me is getting the rope where i want it. Anchoring lower down and then advancing the rope is a bit advanced for me!!

 

john..

[Retired Climber]

33 minutes ago, john87 said:

Yes, i understand what you mean. Difficulty for me is getting the rope where i want it. Anchoring lower down and then advancing the rope is a bit advanced for me!!

 

john..

In which case, how do you plan to get it up there? Is it Silver Birch? I wouldn't be lobbing a throw line into that if I were you. Especially if you can't climb up and get it when it gets stuck. 

[john87]

3 minutes ago, Retired Climber said:

In which case, how do you plan to get it up there? Is it Silver Birch? I wouldn't be lobbing a throw line into that if I were you. Especially if you can't climb up and get it when it gets stuck. 

I have already been up there a few times and removed most of it so the throw line is easy to place now!! I got the rope into the lower parts, rigged down what i could reach, and cut and chucked other bits out of reach with a pole saw from up the tree..

 

john..

[Mark Bolam]

Cut and chuck with a pole saw is a rare skill.

[Mark Bolam]

FWIW I’d be happy banging a line through that union you’ve circled.

As you ascend all the force will be straight down the main stem.

 

As RC has said, try and use the main stem as an anchor, rather than a side limb.

Have you got a cambium saver yet?

[john87]

4 minutes ago, Mark Bolam said:

FWIW I’d be happy banging a line through that union you’ve circled.

As you ascend all the force will be straight down the main stem.

 

As RC has said, try and use the main stem as an anchor, rather than a side limb.

Have you got a cambium saver yet?

Thanks Mark, that makes me feel a lot better.Yes a Stein one with the steel rings. [Very nice it is too!]

 

As you said, it is dead vertical so all weight will be straight down. I know you will laugh yourself silly at this, but once i have the rope installed, i am going to put a sling round the tree base and load the rope up with a pulley block and leave if for a few minutes. I will KNOW it is safe then..

 

john..

[Retired Climber]

5 minutes ago, john87 said:

Thanks Mark, that makes me feel a lot better.Yes a Stein one with the steel rings. [Very nice it is too!]

 

As you said, it is dead vertical so all weight will be straight down. I know you will laugh yourself silly at this, but once i have the rope installed, i am going to put a sling round the tree base and load the rope up with a pulley block and leave if for a few minutes. I will KNOW it is safe then..

 

john..

You could look at that test the other way. You may be weakening, what was, a suitable anchor point. 

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

FYI from the industry technical guide https://www.trees.org.uk/Book-Shop/Products/Technical-Guide-1-Tree-Climbing-Aerial-Rescue-en

 

see below also: FYI

[john87]

47 minutes ago, AA Teccie (Paul) said:

FYI from the industry technical guide https://www.trees.org.uk/Book-Shop/Products/Technical-Guide-1-Tree-Climbing-Aerial-Rescue-en

 

see below also: FYI

 

Yes, 11.3.2 They seem to like having a bit of a test??

 

I know you could say that it could weaken what was previously ok, but you could say the same about the MOT tester deliberately applying your car brakes as hard as he can for the same reason??? I saw a brake pipe burst once like this, [was not my car!!]

 

john..

 

john..