Dan Curtis

There is currently a major revolution going on in tree climbing, coinciding fantastically with the release of the TCIA “Best Practices for SRT in Arboriculture.”

SRT techniques have been being utilised pretty much since climbing in a controlled, rope aided, manner began. Over the years, mostly through rock climbing and caving, SRT techniques and equipment progressed and eventually began being used in tree climbing. To begin with, it was used as an access system, utilising the benefits of 1:1 movement, ergonomics and efficiency. Once in the canopy, a changeover would be made to a traditional DdRT setup for work positioning. In the first part of the 21st century, climbers began to experiment with using SRT work positioning (SRTWP). Very quickly, SRTWP gear has progressed and it is now at a stage where several pieces of equipment are available on the world market, with popularity seemingly growing by the day.

Up until now, there has been no comprehensive guide, outlining safe practices and techniques. Those who have researched the topic will have found a lot of information online, most notably on arb related internet forums, though this information is rarely verified and most commonly based on individual personal opinion, without backing from industry bodies.

The TCIA, among others, obviously saw a need for one single document, based on experience, testing and verification, to encompass SRT in arb as a whole.

The guide begins with a grounding reminder of the dangers of complacency, stress and tiredness at work, very well placed to provoke a thought for every reader, especially those new to SRT.

In a clear concise format, the guide sets off outlining the history of SRT, outlining the basic premise, as well as comparing SRT/SRTWP to more traditional DdRT techniques. It moves on to touch on standard SRT equipment, then a quick glance at the often repeated, with good reason, pre climb inspection and hazard assessment.

These first few chapters set an excellent base for both experienced and novice SRT climbers. I would imagine that even veterans of the field would have learned something by now, particularly from the history of SRT section.

The book heads on to touch on rope angles, forces and loads. The majority of climbers will have some experience in understanding the physics of rope work and the forces they can create. Being as redirects are commonly used in SRTWP, it is essential for the climber to understand the consequential loading they can create with their rope configuration. The guide manages to put across clear information, without getting bogged down into the very complicated mathematics of the angles of dangle, as is commonly found in other descriptions of the subject.

Moving on through the practical application of SRT techniques, the guide covers many different anchor systems, access systems, work postioning tools, and the practical part of actually working the tree. All of the systems shown for each are given with a full description of their components, accompanied by detailed full colour photographs, their set up and use. Each has a brief list of their strengths and weaknesses, so the reader can quickly compare one setup to another.

Personally I was a bit sceptical about how thorough the guide was going to be, but when I received my copy I was very impressed with the culmination of the efforts of numerous people across several continents. The guide will be useful to veteran and beginner alike, and I’m sure everyone will learn something from it, which they can then put into practice and benefit from. I would thoroughly recommend to anyone interested in SRT to get themselves a copy, even if only for the access systems.

SRT may not be the be all and end all of tree climbing but this guide certainly makes the information available to put it on par with DdRT.

View full review

That's really ingenious. Bet the H&S bods would have a problem over possible accidental release not while it's loaded but while it is momentarily slack in a position where fall potential would suddenly increase by the length of all the rope used in the knot. Anything over 500mm is I think a no-no.

As I've said, tied correctly in the right place, it shouldn't come out accidentally. I do see your point with slack lengths, but this could apply to any redirect, or even base anchored systems in the event of a limb/equipment failure.

A possible refinement would be to put a few twists in the final bight that is passed up through, because otherwise on bigger stems or with irregular bark one loop of the bight might not be pressed as firmly as the other and could drop out. If it is the working end loop, it will be constantly being tugged and the loop could inch its way out. It does this anyway, I have managed to get this not to collapse after repeated twitching. I can try and show this refinement in a pic of you want.

I tried it with a twist, but personally felt it decreased the loading/cinching of the bight, maybe it can vary with rope types? I'm predominantly using it with Cougar Blue, perhaps a softer rope would have a different behaviour in the cinch?

I have also tried a little variation that allows you to recover the rope by plling on the static end rather than the working end. Only tested so far on a kitchen chair, but it does seem to work. Easier to show than to explain. Again pic could be provided.

Haven't tried this yet but I see what you mean. I'll give it a go. If you were in the situation to retrieve from the static end, perhaps just a drop through a fork would give better results? You need a fork for this redirect and rolling a loop from above could be an issue.

Great idea, by the way. I can see its possibility in DRT too, where recoverable redirects are a pain in the bum. Quite straigthforward now that think about it as long as, like in SRT, a suitable form of fork is available.

Assuming you mean DdRT, I'm intrigued how you'd tie a static redirect in a dynamic system without incorporating extra rope or hardware. Could you explain your idea here please?

Have you used this for work positioning for a fair bit of climbing/work or just for a quick redirect to get one branch and then come back in.

I think it looks great and was going to try it yesterday but could have been on it for a good 2hrs so thought I'd better just check what kind of stuff you have put it through so far.

See above. I'd happily use it while routing down the outside of a segment of canopy on a reduction, or a stem removal etc. Tied correctly, in the right place, there is no reason for it to undo itself without you expecting it, though it does need planning on where you will put it, where you will retrieve it from and where you'll be going when it's loaded.

Hi Dan, your incredible brain strikes again huh?! I like it, got me thinking though that re-directs really need to be put into categories, close ones, quickly used ones, out-of-sight, big pendulum, static/load sharing etc etc. Where does this one fit?

Hi Paul, hope you're well.

I'd say that this would fit into the short term-static category. I wouldn't imagine I'd hang on it for two hours, but then again I'd not imagine hanging on any redirect for that long very often.

If you flick the line to say get it over some small branches in the way of your route or coming back through it will come undone though ??

It shouldn't do. It needs more of a loop rolled to it than a flick. It will stay in with a shaken rope if tied correctly. Obviously if you do flick or shake off some branches then be sure to check it's all still in place before loading it again

Hopefully see a few things and try them at the arbshow this weekend .

Be good to see you there if you're coming along. We'll here the usual array of gear set up

I came up with this a few months ago, as I was getting boggled by the complexity of some of the gear-heavy retrievable redirects that were being posted.

The original inspiration was a Precipice Knot (ABOK #391) but obviously needed to make it a bit more bomber than that! It's been tested by a few SRT guys including myself in the meantime and between us we've deemed it safe. It might not look it, but honestly try it out and let me know what you think of it.

[ame]

24" no problem, 28"is ok in softwood, wouldn't want to be doing a lot of hardwood with anything over 24"

Thankyou to everyone who came and helped, competed or just came to spectate. The event gets bigger and better every year and it couldn't be done without the people who are there.

Any feedback on the weekend would be appreciated, we like to know what we're getting right or what could be improved on.

The results are all below

I'll be going on the Saturday. What Arb suppliers are going?

They're not part of the cutters and climbers but Acle garden machinery will be there with a range of arb gear.

It's a fast and cool way to do it. I've seen it before, Adam Bourne showed me it a few years ago. It's the only way I tie butterflies now.

Can I enter on the day? Not much time to send a form in now

You 'avin a laff? Yes if you're there for half 8 Saturday but you'll still need to pay gate entry

That's good, was looking at the website at to get in and camp for one night was around £65!!!

That's why you should enter the comp and get entry and camping free

17 quid I think.

I think you're about right there. Are you coming Tom?

The poles have gone up today

The setup has begun. Looking forward to the weekend!

can i have a go at the ddrt work climb on a single line dan? you know i like to stir the pot

You can have a go but it won't count

I think I had the 3rd quickest time climbing the srt tree ddrt last year, infact I think id have come second had another climber not had a second run

 

im still waiting for my prize:001_tongue:

Why not compete on the bdb now you've seen the light?

Not long left until the show now. Last minute entries need to be in asap. Looking forward to our tenth anniversary

We often have people get stuck up the lane near me. I've now started being very careful who I'll pull out because of the claim culture, it's madness imo for people to claim damages after trashing their own vehicle

I think id of said ill think about it and if you refused id of given you a verbal or written warning for refusing to go to work. then docked you the 2hrs.

 

I'm pretty sure docking pay is illegal in most circumstances.

My boss at the time was a mate, we didn't have any contempt for each other, nor did we have the kind of employee-employer trying to shaft each other relationship that seems commonplace Ian.

I also did it out of working hours, after I'd worked the day.

I won't lend anything out, but I'll go and do the job. That way I know nothing is being abused, no one is going to hurt themselves with my tools and I'll get a few cups of tea for it

When I was lead climbing paye, I picked my desired rate and sat in the office and refused to leave until I got it. Took about two hours but I got it.

Keep it friendly and about you, your abilities and workload. What other people do is irrelevant.

Good luck

.....

.....

This country is near the exploding point with foreigners, immigrants, different religions in our schools, kids eating halal????? It's a disgrace!!! Something needs to happen!! If you you disagree!! Well I suppose ignorance is bliss!!!!!!

Our own population is increasing exponentially, we're a burden to ourselves, the issue is not with immigration.

Having been through a school with enforced religion, it's an unnecessary part of education imo, regardless of which book you follow.

Halal is hardly poisonous, though I personally take issue with the methods.

Next time you need major healthcare, have a look through the roster of professionals in the NHS, a large proportion of them are immigrants, many of whom our health service couldn't do without.

Borderline fascist opinions are a dangerous thing to harbour, let alone share. Consider the wider implications of reversing what you think are the issues with our society before spouting the kind of drivel that is pushed by the far right.

OMG, embarrassment time no doubt...RED OAK maybe (that assumes the twigs are from the logs, otherwise I'd have guessed Beech)?

 

Time to tootle off me thinks

 

Paul

Red Oak, just been to look at mine to compare