Rope Wrench, without incident.

Reg · Feb 3, 2016

Been through a handful of intense years with it now. Pruned and removed lots of big trees in that time....and unlike any other climbing system I've used, I dont recall a single close call or mishap. I believe its simplicity has much to do with that. Never once have I been out on a limb, looked back to see it misaligned. Such reassurance leaves be free to work without inhibition, completely. With so much enthusiasm for frictionless mechanical climbing aids right now, its worth remembering that your safety is still paramount. I can only speak for myself, but the wrench has proved the safest climbing system Ive ever used, be that single or doubled line.

Some wrench climbing below. I got a ton more but Im maxed out at 10 pics per post.

macswan · Feb 3, 2016

Yeah, and Kevin gots kids to feed. Buy those wrenches people.

Treezybreez · Feb 3, 2016

I couldn't agree with you more Reg, the wrench is just about fool proof. The fact that Kevin condones its use for rigging applications too, speaks volumes. I have been using the wrench with Armor-Prus and the wrench greatly increases the hitch life.

treebing · Feb 3, 2016

now available in more colors than red!

NE Tree · Feb 3, 2016

Excellent pictures Reg, you're a beast. I usually climb on a runner but have been thinking about getting a second SRT system. Your praise makes me want to go with the wrench. Now with all of these new colors, which one do I choose?

treebing · Feb 3, 2016

Those trees make you look so small. Incredible pics reg

NE Tree · Feb 3, 2016

When will the new colors be available Kevin? Just checked Treestuff,nothing there yet.

Steve Connally · Feb 3, 2016

Levi. Why do you prefer it over a mechanical?

Reg · Feb 3, 2016

Havent tried it Levi, but I will. I haven't even changed the pin in all this time. I should probably, haha.

In 26 years the RW is probably the most influential single accessory I ever bought....climbing or rigging. Sure, there are other excellent SRT devices out there too, but this particular one has saved me so much pain and continues to do so. Im 43.

DdRT has its place still....but for the people who influence the standards in our industry, come walk in my shoes for a week. Bring your friction free savers and what not....for what use they'll be. See how you feel about it thereafter.

A few more for good measure.

cory · Feb 3, 2016

Great thread and pics.

Reg, are your pics from a bunch of different photographers? It can be hard to find groundies who take good pics.

moss · Feb 3, 2016

cory said:
It can be hard to find groundies who take good pics.

Ground worker wanted, must be skilled in all modes and phases of ground support for arborist operations. Must also be skilled in photography and videography, able to quickly edit and process still and video imagery.

(fake help wanted ad)
-AJ

Steve Connally · Feb 3, 2016

Here he is Moss

Steve Connally · Feb 3, 2016

I felt like I had my system dialed in at one point, then I tried the zigzag. I was never able to get my hitch the way I wanted it again. I've tried lots of combo's. Wonder what you and Reg are doing that I wasn't that results in such great performance. Not to hijack the thread.

Great pics Reg. Awesome trees you get to work in.

macswan · Feb 3, 2016

Indeed, we are all jealous over here.

Reg · Feb 3, 2016

cory said:
Great thread and pics.

Reg, are your pics from a bunch of different photographers? It can be hard to find groundies who take good pics.

It's whoever there Cory, and remembers at the time. For every good pic there's usually 10 bad ones. I just tell em to wipe the lens each time, avoid the zoom, and don't shake camera. That's all you can hope for.

Reg · Feb 3, 2016

macswan said:
Indeed, we are all jealous over here.

I believe you mean that Mac. Images always tend to romantacise things.... but in reality it's hard, intense work at times, against the clock, nonetheless.

treebing · Feb 4, 2016

Reg said:
Havent tried it Levi, but I will. I haven't even changed the pin in all this time. I should probably, haha.

In 26 years the RW is probably the most influential single accessory I ever bought....climbing or rigging. Sure, there are other excellent SRT devices out there too, but this particular one has saved me so much pain and continues to do so. Im 43.

DdRT has its place still....but for the people who influence the standards in our industry, come walk in my shoes for a week. Bring your friction free savers and what not....for what use they'll be. See how you feel about it thereafter.

A few more for good measure.

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I might just print this post out and frame it on my wall. You have made my day Reg. Thank you for your words and pictures.

cory · Feb 4, 2016

Reg said:
Images always tend to romantacise things.... but in reality it's hard, intense work at times, against the clock, nonetheless.

So utterly true. Most everything is a "timed evolution" as the SEALS say.

TimBr · Feb 4, 2016

Steve Connally said:
I felt like I had my system dialed in at one point, then I tried the zigzag. I was never able to get my hitch the way I wanted it again. I've tried lots of combo's. Wonder what you and Reg are doing that I wasn't that results in such great performance. Not to hijack the thread.

Steve, I'm in the same boat you are with regard to the Rope Wrench used with a hitch. I've had a few days where my hitch performed well for me on the Rope Wrench, allowing a long descent without starting to bind up on me, but more often a long descent would see my hitch getting progressively more difficult to break free. It could be operator factor, as it seems like it is a little bit of a timing thing, needing to release or "bump" the hitch while sitting back into the Rope Wrench, to allow the Wrench to fully engage before allowing the hitch to start binding up.

I guess my main issue with the Rope Wrench is feeling as though I wished it would take more of the friction, most of the time. Up in the tree is not usually a problem, it is just when I'm trying to do a long, unbroken descent. Again, probably operator factor, and no fault of the Rope Wrench.

Tim

JeffGu · Feb 4, 2016

I have that problem, sometimes, too. I blame it on my insistence on using the same hitch all the time. I played with a VT one day, and it didn't do that at all on ascent. Unfortunately, it also didn't want to grab every time I weighted it. Such a finicky hitch, but I'm sure it's just a matter of finding the right hitch cord for the rope and sticking with it. It's certainly not the fault of the RW, I'm sure.