First TCC

WaitakKauri

WaitakKauri

Branched out member
Location
NZ
First TCC this weekend. I'm getting nervous. Just saw the rotation groups, argh.

As a rec climber I just don't want to embarrass myself. Training as been almost nil recently with a family member unwell and needing to put my attention to that these last few weeks. So, I'm just going with my normal climbing experience and some good general fitness. Fingers crossed it goes ok. I watched this event last year and really enjoyed it, but wished I was doing it. Everyone was really friendly.

Will see how it goes. I've gotta get my gear list written up next and prep my gear bags. I also need to think the events through so, for example, I have two throw cubes and ropes ready for the throwline. Normally, I just have one of each.

If there are any last minute tips, I'm happy to listen! Watching the new 2016 ITCC vids on the TCIA website as inspiration.
 
3 throw lines & 2 ropes are allowed (borrow from another climber if needed)
Don't use chapter throw lines, as they are probably new & may tangle.

Just have fun.
Ask lots of questions.
If you see a technique that you want to learn; just ask.
 
GregManning said:
3 throw lines & 2 ropes are allowed (borrow from another climber if needed)
Don't use chapter throw lines, as they are probably new & may tangle.

Just have fun.
Ask lots of questions.
If you see a technique that you want to learn; just ask.
Click to expand...

Thanks Greg. I've got two ropes and two throwlines. If I can get two good lines set, I'll be happy, even if one is lower points. One throwline is cheap, but I know how it behaves well.

Definitely going to go have fun. It's that I have a competitive streak so I get nervous, but I just don't have the training in to be serious. I'm looking forward to learning for sure.
 
TimBr said:
@WaitakKauri; Too cool, I hope you have a blast with it! Dan Holliday (hope I spelled that right), of climbingarborist.com said that the competitions reignited his love for his job.

Best of luck.

Tim
Click to expand...

Thanks Tim. Climbing is a passion now and I rally enjoyed watching last years event. People were really friendly. I wish I could have trained like Dan's Matt Fernandez Project did! If you haven't watched that video series, I recommend it.

I just hope I can make 15m on the footlock. My footlock training hasn't really happened and with a foot ascender and diy SAKA, I don't normally have a footlock need. I've done a few attempts to get some basic technique, so hopefully that and a strong will to get to the top will help.
 
I'm first on the list in my group so it's going to be hard - wish I was last so I could watch the others! I'll have to look over at the other groups.

I hope the throwline gods are with me. Often they aren't. I did some crap throws last night so hopefully they are out of my system.
 
WaitakKauri said:
Thanks Greg. I've got two ropes and two throwlines. If I can get two good lines set, I'll be happy, even if one is lower points. One throwline is cheap, but I know how it behaves well.
Click to expand...
Ask for times to be announced at 3, 2, 1.
Then go for easiest points.
It is amazing how many really good climbers keep trying for difficult targets when time runs out. They get "0".
Get some points.
 
Thanks guys, appreciate the support and tips. (y)

I know I'm going to have a good time. Will let you know how it goes.
 
WaitakKauri said:
I'm first on the list in my group so it's going to be hard - wish I was last so I could watch the others! I'll have to look over at the other groups.

I hope the throwline gods are with me. Often they aren't. I did some crap throws last night so hopefully they are out of my system.
Click to expand...

Are APTAs allowed in competition? That would make things easier!

Tim
 
F F F.... no joke, just got my right hand smashed at field hockey at our weekly club game. Full force of the edge of a carbon stick across my thumb and index finger. We don't wear gloves (brutal sport for injuries). Swollen up. Was only two hours ago and as yet can't even write up my gear list.

Comp starts in 14hours. Debating if I go to A&E for an X-ray. Hand is frikn sore.

Not impressed. Loaded up on ibuprofen and panadol and doing rest, ice, elevate. I'm going, just hope I can do something other than watch.
 
TimBr said:
Are APTAs allowed in competition? That would make things easier!

Tim
Click to expand...
Hey Tim, I just got a Captain kit so I can't get an APTA now too, no gear fund for that and it's not on the needs list. I can't imagine how expensive that would be to ship here after the NZ dollar converts to USD.

However, I really like your thinking!
 
Hand is hurting like a bugger, but gear is packed and gear list filled out. Off to the TCC early in the morning and hopefully I can complete some events.
 
oldoakman said:
Have fun and learn from others. I have been in several comps and have been judging them for 25+ years and always learn something new from them.
Click to expand...

Thanks oldoakman. I can't wait to see and meet all the climbers. Your comp involvement is an awesome contribution to the sport and profession. Chapeau, I'm impressed.
 
GregManning said:
Ask for times to be announced at 3, 2, 1.
Then go for easiest points.
It is amazing how many really good climbers keep trying for difficult targets when time runs out. They get "0".
Get some points.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this tip, I'll give it a go. I'm expecting time to go very quickly.
 
WaitakKauri said:
F F F.... no joke, just got my right hand smashed at field hockey at our weekly club game. Full force of the edge of a carbon stick across my thumb and index finger. We don't wear gloves (brutal sport for injuries). Swollen up. Was only two hours ago and as yet can't even write up my gear list.

Comp starts in 14hours. Debating if I go to A&E for an X-ray. Hand is frikn sore.

Not impressed. Loaded up on ibuprofen and panadol and doing rest, ice, elevate. I'm going, just hope I can do something other than watch.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about your injury. Maybe you could be the guy who introduces the use of the protective hockey glove to your sport, locally.

I heard a story once, don't know if it's true or not, that NHL goaltender Gary Cheevers was getting his chops busted in the early days of the use of the goaltender's face mask. People poke fun at those who wear protective gear that has not been used much previously, and Cheevers was probably no different. So he took to marking up his face mask with a newly drawn "scar" across it, every time he got hit in the face mask with a puck. This, I assume, was to help quiet the critics, by showing how many injuries the face mask was preventing. Before long, nearly his entire face mask was covered in "scars".

Just sayin'. It is hard to do much work of any kind without a properly functioning pair of hands.

Tim
 
Last edited:
WaitakKauri said:
Hey Tim, I just got a Captain kit so I can't get an APTA now too, no gear fund for that and it's not on the needs list. I can't imagine how expensive that would be to ship here after the NZ dollar converts to USD.

However, I really like your thinking!
Click to expand...

Yeah, like I said, I was kidding about using it in competition, but it is a really great tool. For some reason I still have not watched the video by @oldfart, probably because I'm currently on a data plan that punishes the use of high bandwidth data transmissions.

This guy is just brilliant, and is always pushing the limits of the tools available to him, and very methodically quantifying the variables.

Here's a link to a thread I think he started that deals with making modifications to the original APTA design in order to try to improve its performance.

http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/apta-tude-adjustment.30420/

His video is contained in the thread. If you are handy with tools, it might be possible to build your own APTA out of parts available in your area. Use rigid conduit to build it if you try for it, as PVC pipe is too fragile and could cause serious injury.

In my mind, the toughest part about trying to build your own APTA is having the ability to drill and tap a hole that is perfectly centered and perpendicular to the pipe, which is obviously a round surface. It seems like it might require the use of a drill press and some kind of a jig to hold the pipe in place. The Schrader valve, for putting air into the compression chamber, is what the drilled and tapped hole is for.

The APTA has no patent, I don't think. If you look up "potato guns", you'll probably find all kinds of videos about people's experiments with making them.

For me, the APTA saves a whole lot of labor and time, when I choose to use it.

Tim
 
GregManning said:
Ask for times to be announced at 3, 2, 1.
Then go for easiest points.
It is amazing how many really good climbers keep trying for difficult targets when time runs out. They get "0".
Get some points.
Click to expand...

I had last spring in my first comp. Got second plaze in the throwline cause i managed to hit 3 point targets with both throwlines and got my ropes up also under 2 minuts. Only mist first plaze by one point. Lots of guys got 0 points because they would want to get the 9 pointers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom