New to climbing any equipment recommendations?

[Steve Bullman]

The Petzl Sequoia seems to come in two versions. A standard and an SRT. Probably a dumb question but coming from a rock climbing angle, they both appear to look the same. In online pictures at least.

 

 

The srt version has an extra attachment point in the centre

[zebedeeclimber]

The srt version has an extra attachment point in the centre

 

Can the SRT version be used for Blakes hitch climbing or do you need one of each for each purpose?

[zebedeeclimber]

Sorry to make you read the above. I think I may have found my answer on another thread.

 

Seems the Sequoia is popular around this forum.

 

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/climbers-talk/61352-rec-climbing-harness-petzl-sequoia-srt.html

[Steve Bullman]

Yep you probably wouldnt be disappointed with it. Always a good idea to try one on though if you can before buying.

[R Mac]

I recently got involved with tree climbing with a friend who does this for a hobby.

 

I have been really loving it and would like to do it more. I have been using a rock climbing harness which is not ideal and is very uncomfortable. Very little padding and not really designed for tree climbing.

 

Could anyone recommend a decent harness? Also how did you get into arboriculture? It is something that has always fascinated me but more so now.

 

My climbing has been done using 10.5mm dynamic rope and a cambium saver using a pulley to reduce friction. Connected to the harness using a double figure 8 rope and then a Blake's Hitch to a Carabiner on the friction side.

 

Thanks for any help and Hello!

 

If I understand you correctly and having come from a climbing background myself you've run your rope through a pulley and tied on using a double figure 8 knot (What I would call a threaded Figure 8 knot) which is the standard knot in rock/ice climbing.

 

You've then used an additional length of cord to to create a Blake's hitch on the other side of your climbing rope, this additional length is attached to a carabiner which is clipped to your harness tie in point.

 

That's essentially a basic split tail tree climbing system.

 

You mention using a 2nd prussik loop to step up on, I'm assuming standard rock/ice climbing procedure, slide the foot prussik up, stand up, slide the prussik attached to your harness up, sit back in harness and repeat?

 

That's the main difference, basic tree climbing procedure would dispense with the foot prussik, you'd body thrust while advancing the split tail friction hitch (your blakes hitch, I'd use a regular prussik) In a pinch you can foot lock on the rope below the friction hitch if you can't get your feet against the tree.

 

If you want to avoid heat damage to your regular rock climbing rope or at least minimise it use a figure 8 descender to descend keeping the friction hitch as a fall prevention back-up (just as you would rock/ice climbing)

 

If you want to advance the climbing rope you'll need a lanyard so you're always attached to the tree when you un-clip from the climbing rope.

 

Also unless you need to achieve 'work positioning' you don't really need a floating bridge like on the Petzl Sequoia or Treemotion harness, a single fixed tie in point will be fine, I used a Petzl Avaho Fast when I done my CS-38 and CS39, it still has side D rings for lanyard attachment. You can get the Avaho for £110 to £140 depending on whether you want fast type buckles or regular threaded buckles.

 

The cheapest harness I've seen that has a floating bridge is the TreeUp TH 20, apparently the same harness as the Treehog TH2000, both allegedly made by Protekt although I couldn't confirm that.

 

I bought the TreeUp TH30 which is the same as the TH20 but with fast buckles. Seems ok and is CE approved, I bought mine on ebay from Germany for £110 ish inc shipping. Not as nicely finished as the Petzl harness though in my opinion.

 

Have a look at some of the videos here,

 

ClimbingArborist.com ? Arborist tree climbing techniques

 

Coming from a rock climbing background SRT might suit you, basically ascending/decending a fixed rope using jammers/ascenders/crolls/Pantins whatever you want to call them.

[JLA Arborists]

In terms of budget I have been looking at the Petzl Sequoia and the Tree Motion.

 

 

I'm not a fan of the sequoia, I used it for my course a few years ago and I had sore hips/ back in the kidney area.

I can't comment on the tree motion, but I use a stein vega. It has a bigger back than the sequoia and I've not had any problems. If I had to replace it is get a Vega plus as this has padded legs

[zebedeeclimber]

R Mac: You are correct in how the climbing has taken place. I am intersted in doing the chainsaw and tree felling courses and the ropework courses you mention. I hold an HGV licence so can easily tow lower weight equipment. I also have a forklift and telehandler cert.R

Edited February 7, 2016 by zebedeeclimber

[R Mac]

I'm not a fan of the sequoia, I used it for my course a few years ago and I had sore hips/ back in the kidney area.

I can't comment on the tree motion, but I use a stein vega. It has a bigger back than the sequoia and I've not had any problems. If I had to replace it is get a Vega plus as this has padded legs

 

They're a very personal thing harnesses for sure, try before you buy if possible.

[Ben Tidey]

zebedeeclimber where abouts are you located, as there might be some nice people out there that you could go for a play climb with.