MattJordan

Hahaha:lol:

Looks like you lot had a great time!

I dont agree with you there, buy a right and a left and use them alternate days, and learn to use them properly. Much better than footlocking.

That does sound like a good way to balance the strain/exercise out a bit. Never really thought about doing that. will pick up a lefty soon. Nice one:thumbup1:

The Tree Austria 3 doesn't look to good to me but i've never tried one, liked the original the best, no. 2 was a dissapointment.

The EKN which i think now has some new harnesses out? Tree Motion also the Petzl Seqouia are very good modern harnesses.

I'd like to try a Seqouia SRT out somtime

I thought the same thing when I first looked at the ta3, until a mate got one. Found it exeptionally light and flexible, but still providing brilliant back/thigh/hip support. I didnt like the 2nd to much either, really dont like the configuration of the loops and bridge being so close.

As for the sequoia, I think it easily rivals the tree motion. Had one as my first harness and loved every part of it. so simple and well thought out. no pointless extras on it, very light and gives you absolute mobility around the tree. 10/10 in my eyes. Will find it hard choosing my next harness. But im sure a new jangly bit of tackle will be out by then:thumbup:

It may of been possible that you just never found the sweet spot with the Magic? and the Motion just worked for you out the box, i think a lot of these modern harness can be made to be comfy for most with patience setting them up.

 

I find the back support a little low on the Motion a few climbers i know think the motion is aggrevating their back, mine started to get a little strained, I,ve since adjusted it and it seem my back has improved.

Basically my point is a poorly fitted harness can strain your back they are adjustable for a reason.

I know what your saying, I invested quite a lot of time into it. first changing the distance between the leg loops and back pad etc, shortening the bridge, so I could sit more up-right, then replacing the sliding D set-up for a rope bridge so I could be a bit more mobile. Just never got on with it, I understand its a good harness and suits alot of people, just not me.

Definetely know what your saying about the motions back support. Had the same problem for a couple of months, but as youve stated you just have to find that sweet spot. I also think having it as tight as possible without putting your comfort at risk is the key, keeps the pads where they are meant to be.

Okay then. Should make it.

just need some feedback on this harness pros & cons etc ,is it suitable for the larger climbers cheers folk

I had a magic and hated the bloody thing, Crushed the nads, hurt my back, and didnt aid my climbing at all. Then I got a treemotion and was happy.

But, im not "a larger climber" In fact, I try to keep away from strong winds as I may be blown off course.

I would imagine that the Dragon-fly/EKN/(maybe)TreeMotion/Cresto/Petzl Mini-boss etc would be worth looking at though, Hope this helps:thumbup1:

Just checked it and seems to be working just fine. Might make the dry run, how long are you planning to make it last?

matt i dont think that you will find footlocking to be more ergonomic than srt. that just doesnt stand i see what you mean with the whole heap of gear but it is neccesary in some cases, where i am we only use srt and footlock isnt a option ive never seen any of the lads footlock. i know some guys in oz that have had operations on elbows thanks to footlocking and not tail locking or using a pantin. they still climb now but will not footlock even if it is a 30m ascent they only srt due to the less stress on the body.

 

not having a dig just stating a few facts, i think it is good when we can learn from others and in this case i will never be footlocking unless in a rescue if i have to and in a comp.

Thanks for the reply Jarnii, In my comment I was stating that I think footlocking a tail Is a bit more ergonomic than using a pantin, in the sense that it spreads the fatigue evenly between your thighs and lower-back.

I agree completely that SRT is the future for reducing strain on your body. Footlocking is a tried and tested technique, that produces a streamlined, fluid ascent, that, we all know. But when it comes down to it we should all at least have a gander at what SRT can offer. Sorry if I confused you, I was only referring to Ddrt.

to be honest i haver been using marlow chamelion and salamander with my lock jack as it is what i already had, before getting a specific rope for a lock jack i would try using a lock jack and friction saver first , it can take quite a bit of getting used to and now everyone gets on with it , as for info on the spider jack have a search through other threads , swb already ahs a thread - good by vt hello spiderjack ,

Sounds like good advice from someone who knows about the tool:thumbup1:

I gave up on it when I nearly stacked out of the tree. Poxy little toggle!

Rads stands for Rapid Ascending and Descending System i think, although i don't find it particularly rapid.

I think its Raise and Descent System or Rope Ascending Descending System, something like that.

I think the pantin is a very well thought out piece of kit, Fantastic for long ascents as you have already said, I also find it handy when youve dropped through a fork and have to ascend back through, although I normally use a redirect or do a rope switch after Im done on the limb.

I do love footlocking though, as marc says its much more ergonomic. Its also free and involves no kit, and when you have a practised enough its faster, although more fatigue is put upon the body.

Gerry B's ropewalker techinique looks dandy though. Havent had a chance to have a crack at it yet but does look the nuts. Although it does use a fair bit of kit that looks as if it would really get in the way, But im sure you get around that by just sending it all down your line when your in the canopy.

Ive heard Yale Blaze is pretty good for lockjacks, Also been told tachyon is a tad jumpy, and even worse when wet.

the king of all snow beings

That is absolute quality!

Isn't there just the one for the spider? Lockjack has 2 I know, But im sure the spiderjack just has one standard cam.

if it does fall over it will take the front off the Georgian mansion it's adjacent to

Now that, would make a great picture:thumbup:

thought it looked pretty poo, but just wasn't sure and thought i'd ask. i've not done any climbing before but i've booked my cs38 for march. so don't know what kind of kit i need really. i got a tree climbers companion which has give me a rough idea of what i need. what would you guys say the first basic essenitals are?

If your a beginner, I'd say

-Harness , I went for a sequoia as my first harness as its relatively cheap, very comfy, light-weight and flexible. (But theres obviously loads more about like this harness, or if its doesnt suit your build, ignore me!)

-Rope , I got 45 of yale blaze 11.1mm as my first line, probs not the best choice. I look back now and keep telling myself I should of gone for a thicker (12-13mm) line, something like Yale xtc Fire, one of the best ropes on the market imo. nice and cheap, durable, holds knots brilliantly and is a visible colour. If you get a lanyard I'd recommend a thinner line as you can carry more of it without it becoming a pain, its easier to chuck around big stems and is generally makes your climbing more streamlined , faster and productive imo.

-Carabiners , I had been climbing about 6 months before I got my kit so I went for the more fancy oval crabs, snap hooks and mini biners to fit more comfortably in slack tenders, spliced eyes and the like, But again, if beginning just get a handful of basic hms crabs. the dmm lynx/ISC ones seems to be a common fave.

-Prussik cord , I normally stick to 8-9mm cord for 11mm climbing lines, and 9-10mm cord for the thicker lines. Id recommend liros, its what I use now after going through every other cord on the market.Cheap, supple and Gives excellent bite. Plus, it comes in 8mm+10mm so it is very compatible with the majority of life-lines out there. Do take note though, if your just starting out then I would imagine your instructor will put you on a prussik, or blakes hitch. So just buy a few meters of half decent cord and a split tail or two. Then you can move onto the fancy shizzle.

-Other bits , grab a basic cambium saver. Its a must really. I didnt climb on one for quite a long time as my boss insisted they were a waste of time, But then I opened my eyes to future ligament/muscle problems that will only inevitably occur if I dont at least try to make things a bit easier for myself. In the long run its definately worth it, makes climbing so much easier and also doesnt bugger your rope, and the tree up! Buy a basic throwline kit and container, I used a Celebrations tin for about a year until I finally bought a folding cube to store it in. Maybe grab a few maillons and tool clips. Always come in handy.

Hope this helps, Good luck with your climbing!

Drop him a line

SORRY. No pun intended!

Jarnii, I believe Marc on here uses BD ascenders, Look like brilliant bits of kit. Drop him a line and see what he reckons!

Great job John, Looks nice.

Big tree Hamadryad! Can just about see the ladder settled on the stem in pic 1, shows the scale well.

Haha that looks like a right laugh

Cam looks top notch also!

Haha, that looks great mate! Very original!

Happy new years to you also:001_smile:

Good luck finding them mate, Heard his groundy buggered off to Brazil to live the life of a fugitive, Never will they be seen again.

Jus' messin:001_tt2:

BRILLIANT!! cheers for posting that matt, proper fun work-big saws, big fells and big machines!

Proper trees alright:001_cool:

There are a couple more pages of even older pics linked from this page for anyone that missed them:

 

home (hooktender)

 

Andy

Cheers Andy, didn't notice that:thumbup1:

Have you got a stutter Matt ?

Wha...wha...what makes you think that?