both ends of your rope

[Red.Squirrel]

 

1st end ascend - 2nd end ascend - 1st end ascend - 2nd end ascend - 1st end... etc

 

as opposed to

 

1 end ascend - strop on - 1 end ascend - strop on - 1 end ascend - strop on - 1 end...etc

 

 

My point exactly as to why I use both ends to reach the top anchor, longer lanyards may be a solution but then you're stuck with a lot of excess at the end of the lanyard when it comes to working.

[Andy Clark]

not if you use a long strop and go up a branch each time then you gain height each time

 

So when does a "long strop" become a short second rope??

 

And if that's the case, apart from the "Deadmans loop" syndrome (which we've already covered ), why not use one rope rather than two?

[Mesterh]

I like to get fairly high with a ladder, tie in, loads of slack do a bit of freeish climbing, get comfy pull up rope maybe throw over a higher limb and repeat till at anchor. If I cant get comfy enough to rethrow rope just use a strop to be safe.

[Mark Bolam]

Both ends defo quicker for getting up 100 footers with widely spaced branches.

 

Can't think why, but I tend to deal with a lot more conifers, scabby poplars and sycamore repollards.

 

I believe you are allowed to choose the method best suited to the job in hand?

 

Just a thought.

[arbogrunt]

I think its a handy thing to know how to do. I use it very occasionally...maybe a long limb walk, moving from one widely spaced stem to another. Its a good self-rescue technique too.

The down side is, if your in a big tree, you can run out of rope - if your in trouble, you may not be able to get out in 'one hit'.

This might then necessitate an aerial rescue (a type B at that!). So, yes I use both ends of my rope now and then, BUT if its a big tree, I get another, shorter rope up instead.