new to climbing

[basilbrush]

Hi, I only passed my 38/39 back in the summer and have been climbing the odd day with various tree surgeons. I was wondering what other people use as a safety back up when dismantling a single stem with spikes and flip line . We were shown to attach our main line around the trunk with a running bowline and move it up or down with the flip line as a safety back up. This does not feel safe to me is there a better way to stop a fall or is the method I am using the best way / only way to do it and I just need to put more faith in spikes and flip line ?

[Gnarlyoak]

Yep, just about the only way to do it, unless there is a close neighbouring tree to anchor into.

 

Just remember to keep you flip line level with your waist and your mainline cinched fairly tight about mid thigh, knee top level. That way should you inadvertently cut your flip line, you may fall back a few inches but your mainline should bite and stop you falling off the tree completely.

 

As you get more experience it will become second nature.