Mr. Squirrel

I’d read it was awful to splice as well, but new rope and just being especially meticulous with every step it was a breeze. On par with velocity. Granted I don’t work drt loads with it, I find the splice most handy for advancing drt before setting a canopy tie. Do occasionally though and as long as it isn’t loads of up and down it’s alright.

I do on occasion, so thank you for the diagnosis 😂 more often through a fimblclimb, but kernmasters a really nice handling rope and easy to splice, I'm pretty happy using it drt or srt.

The new dmm harness will have an adjustable bridge option, whenever that comes out…

Of course I feel you let us down, you did 🤷🏻 We’ll not you personally, but the AA. The IRATA reference is noted but irrelevant. We’re working in completely different circumstances. Backup system/two systems, it isn’t a concession at all. From what I’ve seen and heard the AA basically rolled over for tummy rubs. You commissioned a consultation which was basically ignored, there was a petition with over 6,000 signatures on it, there were countless professional arborists desperate to be involved in constructive debate on the subject and yet everything was essentially decided behind closed doors. The whole process was flawed and displayed a complete lack of interest in actually engaging with the industry. The AA acts as our regulating body, which we pay membership fees to for, let’s face it, not that much. Rather than stand fast for the best interests of climbing arborists the AA have created a situation where probably 95%+ of climbers are no longer working in a compliant manner. That isn’t them failing to adhere to safety standards, it’s the AA failing in a rare opportunity to stand up for their best interests. Pitiful. About bl**dy time the hse started taking a few more notes on accidents. The number of ‘tree work’ accident case studies on their site where those involved had no qualifications is ridiculous. That’s a diy accident, not a tree work accident. German hse stated that they see no need or benefit to follow suit in implementing two rope requirements over there. But then their accident statistics are actually relevant. It seems to me that the AA were simply reluctant to address deeper rooted problems in the industry. I’ve spoken to people who worked for AA approved contractors where the use of class A drugs on site was a common and accepted occurrence.

It still confuses me that the hse want to make us more like IRATA, when we’re clearly vastly different industries. I think the ‘argument’ that two ropes makes everyone safer in all situations is absurd, personally. I also consider the AA’s part in this a disgraceful show of weakness. They handled the situation awfully. I do believe that there are an unacceptable number of accidents in the UK. However comparing these statistics to other European companies we’re a bit of an anomaly. I believe it’s far more a cultural and educational issue within the industry; and this is where I believe the AA really let us as an industry down, and continue to do so. I don’t know anyone who uses two ropes other than when necessary. Slack attitudes towards safety and big ego’s on sites are more to blame for these accidents. Working in an unsafe manner, be that using silly wee anchor points, free climbing or one handing saws isn’t cool or quick. It’s f**king stupid and ruins lives.

Arbortec Kayos hands down. My old Airstreams are like lead boots compared to these. Much better movement in the ankle and not having a completely rigid sole is much less fatiguing I find. Had them 5 months now and with all the storms they've been getting a lot of use. No notable wear as yet, feet are always dry. Winner.

Small arb company carrying out a variety of interesting tree work to high standards. Minimal connie topping. Ideally looking for an experienced climber, primarily as a second climber however someone with basic tickets but good work ethic and a desire to learn would also be suitable. Good rates for good work, regular shifts. DM for more info and a chat.

I’d say do what you like in the chestnut, from the pictures I can’t see anything worth bracing. Or are they wanting the group braced together?

The two in conjunction is the best solution in my experience. Having a good topo is all very well when you’re walking round with some form of handheld computer. When you’re trying to carry out those recommendations though having a handful of a4 printouts where you can’t actually read the tiny numbers is a total headache. Topo + tags or it’s a job half done 👍🏻

Revolution race are worth a look. I’ve got a pair for pruning jobs and like em. Not silly money and they’re pretty damn tough.

Depending on the trees size and the age of the crack (it could be pretty old but was just hidden by Ivy) there could be a number of different options. Bolting the crack, bracing, reduction pruning or a combination of all of these.

Are you on clay soils or something? Not something I’ve ever heard of and sounds like he’s just trying to discredit other people while ensuring he gets paid twice for the job. Lovely tree though.

29” waist and on my third tree motion at the moment. As said plenty of adjustment in them, you’ve got to spend some time dialling it in but once you get it right it’s happy days. When I’ve got it spot on I’ll do a few stitches with some black whipping twine in the hip-leg strap as these can loosen a bit over time.

Enemy within? What is this nonsense?

This one. I used to work for a company where I presume nobody could sharpen, they had a MacGyver lad back at the yard who would do them all on a machine and they’d just have a few spares in the truck. Great, until there aren’t any in the truck and you had to hand sharpen them. You couldn’t. I wouldn’t pay someone to naker my chains for me.

I was similar. It helped for a bit but ultimately nothing but surgery could sort it out. I had broken the socket, torn ligaments, was missing bits of bone and cartilage and the whole rotator cuff was flapping about. First surgeon I took my mri to told me to go back to school because I was done climbing. Found a better surgeon and 8 years later I’m on top form 👌🏻 I think my main lesson was that more investigation would have been beneficial in the first instance. The injections were a cheap option and they did help in the short term, but ultimately we needed more knowledge in order to better direct resources. I actually paid for my mri privately in the end. £400 but well worth it.

Had a few cortisone injections in my shoulder, wouldn’t call it a last resort as others have though. If physio isn’t quite getting you there then they’re helpful, they were for me anyway. Ultimately it was a crutch though, and when I finally had an mri it was clear my shoulder was pretty well fu***d. The radiologist was genuinely in hysterics, she couldn’t believe I was still climbing with the state it was in.

Just came across this thread and really feeling it right now. On a job atm, 4 large dismantles, a smaller one and some other bits. Chip and wood staying on site, figured 5 days with three guys. It’ll be easy… 🤦🏻 One of the lads had to go off on semi-long term sick leave. Managed to cover some of the days then the other guy got covid. Spoke to client and stupidly decided to soldier on and just get it done. Now going into day 7 AND on day one I realised I’d gone over the vat threshold the month before so will have to pay that out of the budget. Might rebrand as a charity.

See that’s what I was talking about too. I’ll often pull the wrench into the ‘neutral’ position, when friction is too much. But you shouldn’t be able to pull on the actual hitch with it. Honestly, if you know anyone with a chicane ask for a wee shot of it some time, it might be a good solution for you.

The guys asking for guidance, don’t be fooling him into giving his money to Notch. I can see how this would be really useful. I’ll often switch between single and double, but when that means removing a double leg tether it’s a bit of a pain. Also means basically dismantling your system up a tree. So I was thinking about something like this just the other day. As others have said though that flop is no good. Stiff tethers all have a rubber grommet/similar to keep the wrench up a bit. This just helps to ensure that it engages correctly and quickly. In your setup I could potentially see a situation where the wrench doesn’t engage or inverts and releases the friction hitch. Potentially? A chicane seems a good option for on/off use and it is super smooth with a hitch. Downsides are bulk, and I don’t really like that it’s got a metal ‘tether’. Good option though.

What rope are you using? I have some kmiii max used near daily for about three years before I retired it as it got so stiff. Tough rope though. Others like fly and velocity are also pretty good, not as hard wearing but nice in the hand.

I’ve had the evo for about a year now and really rate it. it’s expensive, but tbh they all are. I paid ~1.5-2k for an aeroklass that leaked horrendously, wasn’t particularly well built and there was quite a lot of unused space in the back. In comparison the rsi is solid, pretty much watertight and with the tool drawer and a side storage locker makes a really practical use of space. Honestly think it’s better value for money vs aeroklas/truckman offerings. The locks are solid, a bit dry at first but an occasional squirt of ballisto keeps em sweet. Only issue I’ve had is that the locks are angled up slightly and freeze shut pretty easily. A splash of hot water/coffee sorts it out though. No issues with the gas struts either, seem good. It’s built to last is my impression, take your time building and fitting it and you shouldn’t have any issues. 100% recommend.

See I find cobra an absolute fankle. You’ve gotta have tape, scissors, a blow torch, spreader, sleeve, shock absorbers… then getting the tension right is a pain. All you need with Gefa/Gefa style is tape and scissors. Never really used a fid. I also don’t believe the shock absorbers in cobra/boa are actually any use. No data to back that up, but my inclination is they’re nonsense. Never observed a problem with the rope to sling contact.

Looks like Gefa or similar, far better product than cobra and boa imo.

Why are you using fid lengths? Surely if you have the measurements there you can just make the eye a bit smaller?