Climbing line above or below block?

[Badgerado]

Ha ha

 

A handful of posts in and you go on the offensive against one of the forums senior and respected contributors.

 

Take a chill pill dude, you might not like the answer you get but what you get is what you get

 

I wasn't on an offensive, or trying to be offensive in any way, But I will be more careful with my responses in the future, obviously there's some sensitive people on here that take offense very easily..

[Badgerado]

The standard paractise ISNT either, theres a right and a wrong way. Below is wrong, and above is right, for fairly obvious reasons I would have thought.

 

 

 

 

 

Its a total no brainer hehe....

;-)

 

Hmm must've changed since I went to arb school in NZ 9 years ago, thanks for the update reasons that might seem obvious are countered by other arguments (see Matty f's reply) lot's of standards in the industry change or are different in different countries, thanks for your contribution

[Badgerado]

I was taught in college below years ago with the idea being on a violent snatch you could get flicked off the stem , in 20 years I've never burnt a rope or pinched one in a topping strop/rigging block so will Continue to do it this way although I did do it above in a nptc refresher last week when the examiner asked to see another snatch I knew immediately why. I also like the idea of my ropes being further away from the block whilst cutting.

 

The violent snatch was the same reason I was taught, but now it seems the concern has gone to the shockload of dropping if your lanyard fails (im assuming through the violent snatch or cutting through it) the latter being dangerous in my eyes as your climbing line sits at practically the same level (unless your cutting higher above your block which is more likely to cause a violent snatch lol). Not going back to school anytime soon but I'm always keen to stay up with the standards . Thanks for your post

[tommer9]

I was taught (many moons ago) that the reason you go ABOVE your rigging is if the block takes the rigging down then it will take you down essentially. I have never known it or even had it come close tho TBH.....

[Wooden Hand]

The logic of dropping your back-up to you knees is misguided.

I think that this is another over-looked area in arb training though quite an interesting one to think and build systems about.

There is the immediate thought of perhaps doing the work in another way if you anticipate intense stem shake. There is usually another way, found through logical thought and technique acquisition.

Anyway, for me, the usual set-up is both above.

[JoeRD]

Interesting discussion. I think there are sure advantages to both methods.

 

Above- eliminate the danger of block slipping and taking your primary climbing line with it. Also prevent damage to climbing line from pinching/running rope etc.

Below- Minimise risk of cutting both lanyard and primary climbing line at once.. in order to leave enough of a space between lanyard and climb line this could increase shock load due to greater distance the work will fall.

 

In the situation of intense stem shake I agree with the above comment by wooden hand. Some possible ways of reducing the likelyhood of this occurring could include leaving lower branches to dampen vibrations, letting rigging rope run or simply cutting smaller sections.

 

I have heard of respected arborists putting the climbing line just below the sling and above where the block sits. I guess if you get your sling choked up tight to the stem this will minimise the risk of the rigging slipping down. However on a smooth barked tree I for one would not be willing to take the chance.

 

In my opinion this issue is not clear cut and worthy of debate. Having read the comments above it would seem like the current industry practise in the UK is to have both above? Are there any NPTC or LANTRA assessors here that could clarify? Thanks!

[edwood]

When I did my cs41 I asked this question to the trainer, his answer was that their is no right or wrong way, as long as your ropes not getting smashed by the pully or burnt by the rope running over it underneath is ok. As is above asking as your not in danger of cutting your line it being shook off the stem. Personally I like above as it makes it easier to shuffle the block down ready for the next lump:) if your worried about being chucked off you need a new Groundie;)

[MattyF]

I like to make my cuts as close as possible to the block so again that's another reason I stay underneath, I find it easier to shuffle down as well.. There is obvious times being above is better though .

[josharb87]

If i feel like doing everything "properly" I have lanyard just above the blocks whoopee sling, and a pulleysaver choked tight to the stem precisely under the whoopee sling.

That way when the blocks loaded its only the whoopee sling pinching the cambium saver, can still decent if needed whilst the riggings loaded and lanyard and life line are not at risk of getting cut at the same time

[Joe Newton]

If i feel like doing everything "properly" I have lanyard just above the blocks whoopee sling, and a pulleysaver choked tight to the stem precisely under the whoopee sling.

That way when the blocks loaded its only the whoopee sling pinching the cambium saver, can still decent if needed whilst the riggings loaded and lanyard and life line are not at risk of getting cut at the same time

 

 

Posh git!

 

That answered that question!