Advice needed.

[pault]

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

[Stephen Blair]

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

[pault]

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.

[alex_m]

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)

[SAM66S]

Hitch climber would be good with a pantin even better!

[Dak]

Iv'e been turned over to SRT for ascent and ascent only:001_tongue:

 

Microfrog/rope walker! for me.

 

Ascension + footloop, croll, pantin

 

need some pics?

[tree monkey]

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).

[WorcsWuss]

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!

Edited December 10, 2011 by WorcsWuss

[pault]

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?

[SAM66S]

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