krummholz

I had wondered if it was because you're adding an extra component in, an extra link in the chain that can potentially fail. The benefits conveyed but the use of the gyro far outweigh the risk of failure imo. I'm going to try either a Petzl Open with some rubbers to keep the gyro away from loading the wee plastic section, or the Courant Odin.

Thankyou for your interest in my balls but I'm not sure what point you're trying to make.

Ok so a gyro on a semi-permanent connection such as the DMM shackle pictured above or Petzel Open ring would be compliant also?

I was under the impression that it wasn't kosher to run 2 rope systems through a single attachment point to the harness (such as a Gyro) and had started to write a justification for using it, but going back to the ICOP and draft Technical Guide 1 I can't actually find anything stating that you can't do that...In fact I found the opposite - In the draft technical guide 6.6.1 b) states "The same point on the harness may be used to connect the primary and backup systems". Has this changed? Or where am I getting the 2 seperate connections to harness thing from?😵

I'd put this in the employment section too, climbers looking for work will be going there rather than here.

Is this for recreational use or for tree work? If for tree work then you'd be better off using a more versatile system, incorporating a descender like the TAZ Lov2 to capture progress and then be able to descend (replacing the Croll/Basic ascender in your picture), and that way you'd be rigged for rescue. Look into knee ascenders, much more efficient than frogwalking. Also why use 10mm line? The new ICOP doesn't actually seem to mention a minimum diameter for rope (just a MBS which a lot of 10mm cords surpass) but most ascenders/devices for industrial and work use require a minimum 11mm diamter rope. Lots of useful info and resources on youtube if you can't get on an intro to SRT course at the moment.

I was actually told at college thickness of the bottom of the thigh just above the knee - quite a bit more variation there amongst folks...

Interesting, looks very similar to the ISC Rocker but the Rocker user guidance states that full body harness should be used.

Wouldn't you need a dorsal attachment on a full body harness for the ASAP or any other type of fall arrest device? Fine if you're dangling off the side of a skyscraper washing windows but probably a bit annoying in a hairy lime tree... AFAIK rope access anchors are tested regularly using HYDRAJAWS or similar, again something that's fine for permanent anchors on buildings that are returned to regularly but less practicable for tree work.

Kong do a nice bag that is probably pretty robust as designed for canyoneering, with a mesh front to help ropes dry. Comes with some internal storage and a wide enough opening that flaking the rope back in won't be annoying. 60m of 11.7 might be a squeeze though... Lirung - Bags - KONG WWW.KONG.IT Rope bag developed for rope transport in canyon

I've just found a short Simarghu tether I thought I'd lost and wanted to have a shot with 2 rope wrenches on the go, see what this two rope thing is that everyone's so excited about. I'm having difficulty finding anywhere that stocks just the rope wrench without the tether - anyone know of somewhere to buy just the wrench? You definitely used to be able to, maybe they have to sell it with the tether for the CE marking? I'd thought about calling round the shops to see if they had one in a drawer somewhere but thought I'd ask here first. (I'll probably hate the short tether and end up getting a normal tether.)

ISC are bringing out the Squirrel Tether in Feb, a rigid metal tether to be used with the Rope Wrench. You might try a mechanical SRT device - the Akimbo is very compact but comes with some mixed reviews. Or you can buy shorter stiff tethers. I think the realistically though, climbing in dense trees is always crap and frustrating! Maybe you could give the Hitch Hiker a go (if you can find one)? I've never tried one myself, but it looks to have minimal snaggability. It looks like it would be great for open ascents and descents, would be interested to hear from anyone who uses one for working the whole canopy. Also no CE marking or anything so you'd be riding dirty.

I ordered some sample Tough Tags at the beginning of last year to test their durability, they held up really well. I particularly like the bright colours which can be quite useful to identify ownership when freelancing if all your rigging kit ends up getting dispersed all over the place.

@Treerangers Given all that I would simpy refer to the relevant section of BS3998 and the manufacturer's instructions and technical data when re-inspecting/bracing

NPTC have discontinued/cancelled their integrated ticket. I was doing it in October - nice 2 day course, lots of hands on learning using bracing components and tools I'd never had a chance to use with very knowledgeable instructors. The instructor comes in on the second morning and gathers us round for some bad news - he'd just found out the evening before when trying to register us that NPTC had discontinued the Bracing ticket earlier in the year and not told anyone. Apparently there wasn't enough uptake and they had to make some savings somewhere because they'll be rewriting a lot of material due to the WAHR/new technical guidance for climbing stuff going on. The decision was taken around the time of the first lockdown but they'd not thought to tell anyone! Obviously this is very disappointing (apart from the manner in which it was discontinued) as it leaves tree workers and contracters in a limbo concerning liability, but it might also severely limit the use and adoption of bracing as a tool in arboriculture in the UK. OP's main concern was that he wasn't qualified to inspect or re-brace, but the question now is who is? Can only those who got the ticket when it was still around inspect and re-brace? In October we were given the equivalant of a certificate of attendance as you would on a refresher course, which is now the next best thing, but if there were to be a claim against a contracter who had installed or inspected bracing that had failed, how would you prove that you were properly trained and certificated to carry out the works? My assumption is that because there's now no ticket you'd be proving a more general understanding of tree biomechanics, textiles, vector forces...a lot more wooly and foggy, perhaps enough to scare away anyone who doesn't have the ticket for reaching for bracing as a solution for tree management...

Wondering what this looks like 5 years on? Has the wound occluded fully? Did the canker recur on this particular tree?

Where did you read/hear about CE marking and date for it? Pleased to hear they're investing in us Euros

Hi sent you a PM but didn't get a reply, have you got a contact number or email?

It's disconcertingly bouncy if you're used to a static line. I've only really been using SRT for access on it, then switching over to hitchclimber when I've got my top anchor and cambium saver in. If you're only going to use it for SRT i'd get something else

Thought I'd check on here to see if anyone had a Singing Tree Rope Runner gathering sawdust at the bottom of their kitbag that they'd rather have some cash for?

I'm getting the exact same wear and was also thinking that it was wearing pretty quickly... I was planning on using an old sling and finding someone with an industrial sewing machine to make my own replacement.

My dad sent me a picture of a similar plane on Clapham Common, my suggestion was 'Bottle Butt', caused by a delignifying fungus and incremental reaction growth. Guess I was wrong on that one...

pm'd you

A couple of us have been talking about getting Nod from Treeworker up here to run a splicing workshop. We need to get some expressions of interest from folk up here or nearby who would be up for attending to see if the numbers would work. We've not got precise dates in mind just yet but in terms of cost it would be £200 per person for the workshop/tuition (2 days over a weekend). Nod/Treeworker can provide splicing kits for £100. Venue hire would be on top of this but would be split evenly between all participants. Who's up for it?