Old Mill Tree Care

Ditto.

China, although its not English speaking so learn Mandarin. Britain, along with the US etc is on its economic downward slope. We've enjoyed a few centuries of power and prosperity, these things don't last. I'm not even joking. You won't enjoy a prosperous career here but you could be part of the new rise of Asia.

I recently bought two Hitch Hikers from Ropetek. Paul at Ropetek bought the Highball for me and added to my bill. I'm going to FR Jones in two weeks, oh Lordy!😬

Yes when it's in a cut it could be any saw. But for those of us that climb with a variety of saws, weight is very important. The power to weight ratio is the thing I look at most when choosing a saw ( and making sure it's a Husky 'cos they're the best:laugh1:)

Is saw weight more of an issue in Cornwall?:lol: Just eat more pasties mate!

Not so simple when you're up a tree with it.

I'm fairly sure they don't. Don't take my word for it though.

Jameson or Marvin although they're the same, I think.

Mate, it's called a Highball and I bought it from Sherrill Tree. It's superbly accurate.

"Do you go up high?" Closely followed by, "Don't you get scared when you're high up?"

That's what I was thinking. In the event of a swing or loss of balance that then presses the ZigZag sideways into a branch while the climbers full weight is suspended, the torsional loading on each plate and rivet could be eye watering. I wonder if it's been tested this way? I realise that in College we are taught to climb in a way that totally prevents these scenarios arising however, in the real world...............

Well I think some of the tests are a bit unnecessary but most of them highlight the importance of keeping a well set system, whether it's a RW, HC, HH, whatever. I've mentioned before that I had an inverted RW scare in a Yew tree. The floppy tether I had on my ZK1 looped over the slick pin but luckily I fell only a couple of feet onto some crossing branches. The hitch didn't grab, it couldn't, and there was no way I could have arrested the fall in anyway. A timely reminder of how easy it is to become complacent about ones abilities and forget about ones mortality. That incident kind of ruined things for me mentally despite knowing it was my fault, not the kit.

I could argue that it's better than a traditional throw bag 'cos it flies straighter, however, it bounces off branches like a tennis ball. I don't care really, I just had to have one!

That's really interesting stuff Kevin, I missed this thread last time. If this kind of information can help a climber have a better understanding of his gear, it should lead to safer working practices. Good job.

That's right and I said it works A BIT like a mechanical Prussik but I meant in terms of feel as well as function. I agree with Caorann, if solely for DRT get an SJ otherwise the HH provides an alternative. So does a Unicender.

Hitch Hiker. Works a bit like a mechanical Prussik but with advantage of being designed for SRT, should you choose.

This is the photo that cheers up my grey day. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=katherine+jenkins&hl=en&client=safari&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=KFS2UPGXDOPM0AW73oDAAw&ved=0CIYBELAE&biw=320&bih=417#i=3

So are these AKU Cresta comfy with spikes or not? Inparticular, how is it with a ground saw hanging off your harness or is the sole of the boot a bit too soft for this type of work? I currently wear Airstreams.

Slings for small stuff, KNots when it's bigger. Common sense and experience should always prevail.

Cool. Kevin, I should also add that I'm a bit of a gear Magpie (I thought it a good idea to start an OCGD thread on Arbtalk after reading The Treehouse one:laugh1:). If you improve over the HH and make it really shiny, I'll buy it! Only joking, I love my HH too much now.

That's a good point Drew. For me it's the opposite because I learnt to climb on a Prussik then got a LJ. I used it for years and then got a Zk1. Although I liked the RW and love the SRT advantages I constantly missed my LJ every time I tended the HC, I just never loved the HC. To me, the HH feels like a more mechanical system and I like that.

Well that's the thing Kevin. I've often talked about tethers on the RW Feedback thread and stated that I still have the 'floppy bit if string' type on my Zk1. I stiffened with tape but it was far from good. To me, it's obvious that a stiff tether will prevent the RW from flopping and will assist a bit with advancement up the rope. Thus making it a very different tool. However, I'm sorry to say that the HH suits me better. I should also make it clear that any comparison I make between the HH and RW is strictly the Zk1 as I've never used a Zk2.

I've had a Harkie smock for a few months and its great. I bought a groundie/climber a Pulsarail jacket and he likes it. Says it's good to climb in and on the ground it has more length and a hood.

Gosh, I feel bad saying this because Kevin Bingham did such a good job with the RW. He was the first and led the way but it was inevitable of course that the concept would be improved upon. So the answer is: Yes it's better. IMO there are three reasons it's better. 1. It's a single device so while ascending one advances the HH and that advances the hitch. Sit back is 1". 2: When coming in on a branch walk, see point 1. 3. It works just as well with DRT apparently. I haven't tried yet. I also find it more sensitive during descent but continually the same. I thought at first this was purely due to the hitch/rope combo but now I think it's a combination of hitch/rope/HH. I may be proved wrong on this though. It's also easier and faster to set up than the RW. I'm still VERY new to the HH so I'm going through my own little development phase but I believe it's the next evolution for us in SRT tech. Having said all that, I'm not naive enough to say its the best and get one or you're a loser. We all know how much of gear choice is down to individual preference, feel, etc. My feeling is that the HH would suit 8/10 people better than a RW. I can't compare with a Unicender as I've not used one. You'd have to ask DMc about that. (He may sell you his Uni though as he doesn't use it any more😄)

You're my hero!