Decending limbs and blocks without a ground hand

[jgreene33]

Sorry if this has already been discussed but, I'm exploring some techniques that I know little about. Was hoping for some advice. Is there a technique for the climber to decend a branch or block without a ground hand? If so how would that scenario differ for a man on gaffs vs. a man climbing a rope vs. a man in a bucket. If this is completely unconventional go easy on me im just trying to explore new possibilities.

 

Thanks in advance!

Johan Greene

Bristol virginia Tree Removal bristol virginia tree service

[scotspine1]

Is there a technique for the climber to decend a branch without a ground hand?

 

2 possibilities worth thinking about -

[MattyF]

Have had to use the tail end of my climbing line for only a few small branches on a couple of ocaisions, just tied a running bowline butt roped and shoock it off when on the ground and away from what I was trying up advoid.... I very rarely work by myself now and its quite a frowned upon technique to use you climbing line for lowering... Don't see why you could not do it with a seperate rope using tims technique in the photo above but with a bowline so you can still shake it off if its butt roped.. It could get frustrating though!

[MattyF]

What is the pulley and black line in the photo for tim,Can't work that out?

[Treegeek]

There has been numerous thread discussing climbers operating a rigging system in the tree imo its a very limited application ( limited to small dia material) and you still need a groundsman to untie I personally believe it could lead to very complicated dangerous scenarios ie tangled climbing rigging lines etc

However I do believe that there could be a scenarios where this would look like a good idea but there are alternatives good risk assessment should have ruled this out by having correctly qualified staff.

[josharb87]

Tree geek, in tims method you don't need to untie, just pull the lowering line through leaving the Crab and sling attached to the branch on the ground. You just need a load of crabs and slings up the tree with you

[arbogrunt]

thats handy, you could always lower yourself out if your unconscious too!

[ClimbMIT]

If you have a good anchor point (tree, truck, fence post) and landing zone. You could speed line using enough krabs and slings calculating the amount of pieces to be tied. Only thing you would have to put tension on the line once in the tree and reposition as needed so your slings reach your speed line. I haven't tried this set up but do occasionally climb without ground person due to the astronomical cost of Worker's Comp Ins. I agree as it is not safe and don't plan on doing it again. It is IMO worth exploring ways that could be made safe though. Robot?

[Grais]

thats handy, you could always lower yourself out if your unconscious too!

 

LOL...good one.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

this is a pointless conversation, you should NOT be operating without a ground hand alert to your position at all times.