New climber

fireman33

fireman33

Location
Canada
hey guys, I'm a new ish climber and I am looking for a few tips.

I have been climbing with a rads system for about 4 months now, the reason I choose that setup is because that's what I'm used too. I've been a rope access worker for 6 years so using a petzl Id is what I know best...in the tree I've used the grigri2 which is very similar...on ascent while doing removal I go up with flipline and Spurs, along with my Grigri connected to my bridge...I either get a tip for my mainline or I advance it with me on the spar with a running bowline. When needed I simply climb on my mainline using a hand ascender, a micro pulley and a foot strap for my 3:1.

The problem I have is when I do limb walking I find the grigri2 doesn't do well because I need my 2 hands to operate it, I would like some suggestion on a device that I could use instead of the grigri2 that would allow me to operate with one hand while using my other hand to help with balance. I would like to stick with the possibility of keeping the srt system as it works well for me.

Thanks in advance...open to any advice, this is a huge learning curve.
 
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I would recommend giving the hitchclimber doubled rope technique system (Ddrt) or a rope wrench/hitchhiker based single rope technique (SRT) system a try. There are good reasons they're two of the most common in the tree industry. With either one, you can add ascent power with the upper portion of a RADS system, and in many situations, they'll allow for one-handed slack tending.

Coming from from rope access, SRT may be less of a transition, but I would give Ddrt a try too; it's low cost, and may be able to give you what you want without the upper RADS assembly being necessary at all. SRT can be pretty low cost too, but you absolutely must have a foot ascender.

Let us know if you need help putting one of those together, or just browse the buzz.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
 
fall_risk said:
I would recommend giving the hitchclimber doubled rope technique system (Ddrt) or a rope wrench/hitchhiker based single rope technique (SRT) system a try. There are good reasons they're two of the most common in the tree industry. With either one, you can add ascent power with the upper portion of a RADS system, and in many situations, they'll allow for one-handed slack tending.

Coming from from rope access, SRT may be less of a transition, but I would give Ddrt a try too; it's low cost, and may be able to give you what you want without the upper RADS assembly being necessary at all. SRT can be pretty low cost too, but you absolutely must have a foot ascender.

Let us know if you need help putting one of those together, or just browse the buzz.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
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X2! Not sure that there is any better advice out there! Well said
 
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X3 on that. I'm more of a mechanical guy than a hitch cord man but no matter how you stop, than faster you get off of a Rads system for tree work the faster you will enjoy it. It is still useful and has it's place in the tree, but not as the primary technique.
 
Thanks guys, I don't know if it's only my lack of knowledge or not....but it seems to me that the hitch hicker ddrt setup...the tip needs to be isolated and a friction saver pretty much as to be used...sounds to me like precision and skills are needed with the throwline.

I like the fact that I can throw my line up the tree and be able to either tie in on a good branch/spar or do a basal tie off. For that reason I think I'm more interested in the rope wrench setup. I like srt quite a bit...also the fact that you pull a foot you go up a foot. Also most of the time I drag my tip up the tree with me on conifer trees because I find it pretty much impossible to use a tip in those trees. I looked quickly on tree stuff and the rope wrench comes in a few different package deals, which one would I need to have a complete kit ? I have 150' of New England km3 11mm rope that I use for my mainline...
 
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You can also do a 3 to1 with a ascender and a revolver it works good on a limb walk. And hook the tale onto a biner on your saddle its one handed
 
He's talking about SRT on the wrench, it's basically the same as the upper RADS assembly; a revolver is a biner with an integrated pulley sheave.

The nice thing about Ddrt is that it's really easy to advance your TIP. The friction saver is a legit point, but you don't need one 100% of the time, especially on thick-barked trees, or for short ascents.

If you are going to do SRT, make sure you have a good lanyard, and consider a 2-in-1 like this:

I don't know if Treestuff sells a kit with everything you need, but if you get the wrench with an "oceans" tether ( http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=1912&item=2141), you can use the wrench with a hitchclimber pulley and have both systems available for use/trial. Get at least one HMS shaped biner (like this: http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=130&item=1602), it gets crowded in there with the wrench. You'll also need an eye to eye split tail (http://www.treestuff.com/store/products.asp?category_id=20). On your 11mm, I'd start with 8 or 9 mm 28-30".

Make sure you get that foot a ascender, and strongly consider a knee ascender like the SAKA or HAAS, or a foot loop for your hand ascender if you've already got one.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
 
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Also if going SRT, whenever possible try to make sure you wrap the trunk or have some other limbs under your tie in. Always better to have a 2 foot hickup than a 40 foot free fall if the primary limb fails.
 
You can do a 3to1 with any srt device. Even the gri gri you already have just hook your ascender close to the tip and head out but be sure to keep the tale on your saddle.
 
CBM said:
You can do a 3to1 with any srt device. Even the gri gri you already have just hook your ascender close to the tip and head out but be sure to keep the tale on your saddle.
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You can but I think he wants to work it one handed so the other one is free to balance on the passing limbs.
 
You don't need a hitch climber pulley for the wrench or ddrt just makes it more convenient. A micro pulley or boat snap works just fine. My wrench with oceans tether fits on a oval biner just fine but the abr double is a squeeze. If you're used to srt from rope access stick with it your body will thank you especially on ascent.for evergreens I still roll ddrt easier to tie in a few whorls above and then work down but I'm in the Midwest. Best part about the wrench is you can always pull the pin and go ddrt but it definitely has its downsides as with anything
 
Thanks a lot for all the good replies guys. I think I'm gonna stick with srt for now and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go the rope wrench route. I will look on YouTube a bit to see how it operates...if i can operate it one hand on descend "which is what I'm looking for " I'm pretty sure I will go ahead with the purchase...do I only need the wrench itself though? What other accessories or hitch cord goes with it ? I have a hand ascender/foot loop, micro pulley and carabiner already. And some 8mm Prussik cord.
 
New Brunswick Canada...that's one reason I ask so many question before I actually do an order because we get nailed on the shipping...duties, also the Canadian money is worth nothing right now so I want to buy everything I need in one order.
 
Yup, I know 'bout that dollar! Don't worry, the over whelming urge for more and different gear will take you over, you won't feel the sting in your wallet..... till you at least fill a closet or two....;)

I run a HH on vortex and cherry bomb.

Don't forget to ask if any other Canadian members might have spare gear to sell. Boomslang's a good one for that for some reason ;)
 
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