Releasable base anchor documentation for the mental toolbox

[moss]

There's been a lot of discussion about this in the past, the consensus has been simply create a continuous loop in your climbing line with a life support quality "blocker" and attach it to a suitable anchor on the trunk. The method I've been using and testing for more than four years is more minimal, only requires your rope. It's primarily a technique for my woods rec climbing or for team monster tree climbing when you want something releasable and very reliable (in all ways) that leaves nothing on the ground. It's not necessary or "required", it's simply a technique that can come in handy. I use it a lot for woods climbs and have used it a few times work climbing when for example there were two or three climbers working in separate trees and a single ground person was working like a dog to keep up. It was easier on the team for me to do my access climb with the simple releasable anchor.

I'm not recommending anyone climb this way for work but it may give you ideas and some of you might get something out of trying this low and slow to see how it works.

-AJ

 

[moss]

A couple things to clarify: 1. in the video I'm switching over to a DdRT system for a multi-pitch conifer "ladder climb". For a work or rec broadleaf climb I'd likely switch over to an SRT canopy anchor. 2. When I mention in the video that Tachyon is superior to a Yale 11.7mm double braid for my Pantin/half-hitch on the foot ascent technique I think I had it backwards, Tachyon is a little less supple than the Yale double-braid which allows the the rope to self tend sooner at the beginning of the ascent. The Yale rope tends to flop a little above my left foot (half hitch) for a longer time before the tail weight takes over and allows continuous slack to drop through as I ascend. Otherwise the Yale double braids are awesome in many ways as everyone well knows.
-AJ

 

[moss]

And I realize this discussion I'm having with myself is irrelevant to most pro climbers ;-) Carry on.

 

[WaitakKauri]

All good!

Looking forward to some time to check out your video.

 

[Tuebor]

Thanks for sharing this AJ. I'm going to give it a try when the time is right. I've used the releasable, retreivable base anchor when climbing in a park and I didn't want to leave any evidence behind, but I'd like to go lighter, and I've had some snags on retrieval.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

 

[moss]

Thanks for sharing this AJ. I'm going to give it a try when the time is right. I've used the releasable, retreivable base anchor when climbing in a park and I didn't want to leave any evidence behind, but I'd like to go lighter, and I've had some snags on retrieval.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

I've never had my system hang up on retrieval over many uses but the good news is if any retrievable system hangs up you can just lock up the rope where you are in the tree and descend SRT to clean up the problem.
-AJ

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Devil's Advocate / reverse strategy
If wanted to climb SRT w/ground release and ground control busy
>>Spool to opposite end of line and tie in DdRT
(if line long enough to DdRT down while tied to base; or ground should have untied by then)
.
My fave SRT climb:
Running Bowline SRT line in (less load on support)
>>with krab/rigging line/Bowline chain in SRT Bowline ready to pull open(makes retrievable system)
>>when at working height, lock off w/lanyard ( i also add sling grab always had on belt);
>>have ground control bring you rig line and pull SRT Bowline down to you.
>> clip rigging line krab to belt, Tie in DdRT from SRT line ready to play!