Rope Wrench feedback

[Cary Gibson]

I dunno man, I'm older than you and it is easier in my opinion, but then again, I am a bit of a mutant if anything, it is easier on the bod once you get used to it.

[Paul Smith]

I dunno man, I'm older than you and it is easier in my opinion, but then again, I am a bit of a mutant if anything, it is easier on the bod once you get used to it.

 

definitely

[RC0]

Cards on the table.

 

I'm 44 this year. My body is in decline after years of abuse. I consider 70' trees to be about my limit these days, any bigger and it's simply more cost effective for me to bring in decent climbers who are 2x faster than me.

 

My first 20' are always off a ladder, or spikes.

 

Will the RW still improve my life?

 

Mark, it ought to make a big difference, especially at 44 when the enthusiasm and acceptance for effort might not be quite what it was.

 

At the very least it will put the whole silliness of hand-over-hand ascents into perspective. Several years ago I recall Paolo Baverasco, who was preaching the SRT message long before most of the current crop might I add, quote: “monkeys use arms, humans use legs”.

 

The most bizarre example for me has always been to observe spurred-climbing where the climber still opts to haul himself up the line using his arms as opposed to walking up the wood on the spurs and tending the slack as the goes. What a waste....of everything.

 

SRT is no different, only you’re walking the rope, which on wide trees is often even easier the spurring....and absorbing the progress you make verses the traditional doubled-line would put a smile on most any 44 year old climbers face I’d imagine. How many pull-ups v squats can you do?....I know the Doubled line can give you an M.A, but in general legs v arms is a no contest every time.

 

Beyond that, while incorporating the pantin, canopy access and movement is just more efficient with less restrictions all over.

 

For small trees it’s probably not going to make much difference. Nor for crane removals if you’re being lifted around by the crane....SRT would be pretty useless in that respect.

 

Whether you go for the Wrench, the Uni or even that Petzl Rig, you have to give it time and tweak your system to suit your preference. Personally, I decided just to fully switch over and accept the differences, and in turn am actually delighted with the results.

Having said that, I don’t take anything for granted in regards to safety, and there’s several new disciplines one has to observe and adhere to....but with the ‘learning and reward’ part comes that buzz of imminent mastery. What have you got to lose mate!

[Mark Bolam]

Thanks Reg.

 

I'm a big Pantin fan already, and Scott Forrest himself told me 'use the big muscles bro!' when teaching me to footlock.

 

I think I'll go for it, but want to try it first, I still can't get my Northumbrian brain round the whole concept TBH.

 

It sounds like I'll stick with a combination of DDRT and RW if I get on with it.

 

Hope it's not too cold yet over there, look after yourself.

[DrewB]

Did some drop test today on the wrench, vt using ocean poly. Dropped 80kg from 1m and 2m with the hitch set real loose and wrench just flopping about. Got no more than 10mm of slippage before total arrest of fall, still good to climb on straight after. Croll+ascension tore the cover from the rope on a 30cm drop. Footlock prus melted the rope to the ap cord on a 60cm drop, couldn't move it after this, had to peel it off the line. I'm thinking the wrench is a pretty safe bit of gear:)

Only managed to get a few pics and video as didn't charge my camera battery, school boy error but good reason to do it again.

[Old Mill Tree Care]

Thats very interesting and useful Drew. Would like to see photos if you can.

[Joe Loggs]

80m Marlowe static with a unicender.

 

Got any pics of this set up?

[Paul Smith]

I can take one next week but to be honest it's just a unicender!

[Danavan]

Thanks for the reply deer man, link didn't work for me but have had a harder look at stuff & got the grip of it now. cheers

[Taupotreeman]

Drew,you wanna up those drop weights for us....ahem....better built climbers