alternating between SRT and DdRT

DSMc said:
I think many climbers that argue the benefits of DdRT, confuse capability with energy expenditure. That DdRT is an extremely capable tree climbing system should not even be questioned. It has been 'getting it done' and done well for decades. All of today's tool refinements make it even better. As you also stated, how a climber moves within a tree makes system choices more personal.

For me, those are completely different topics from energy expenditure and climber longevity.

Because biology most often follows a bell curve, an individual's personal outcome becomes an unreliable metric in the equation. We have all witnessed the individuals that live a destructive lifestyle while seemingly in perfect health. Conversely, those that have made an effort to do better, falter at a young age. Most people fall somewhere it between.

Energy efficiency is defined as accomplishing a given task with the least amount of energy expended. This is where SRT shines. The same metrics that make tree entry easy with SRT remain when it is used throughout the climb on those short but frequently needed elevation gains. Energy expenditure is accumulative. If a climber can work within the parameters of SRT and not try to 'muscle through' the short sections, the reduced overall energy input and benefits will become obvious.

Remember, I am talking energy, not necessarily capability. That is also debatable but not this debate.
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great explanation!
 
I want to state now, that today no way am I slinging that size wood with one sling. That one was too long too. It will be double slinged on opposing sides and shorter slings with hook over COG. This was over COG but just had to clarify things. Today I am so much more careful and way more experienced, to not let folk rush me. That job was rushed in my opinion. My buddy was paying for the cranes used a PK 150 too for butt log.
 
Friedrich said:
while its easier to hold your weight with rings at the anchorpoint, it takes more energy to pull yourself in. with a device that gobbels up the slack like a zig zag you dont need to hold yourself too much.

i only use a ring cambium saver (for srt) and natural crotch ddrt (removals and positioning aid in broad prunes)
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A ring...not rings. Again, it introduces very little friction on the haul side. I can also go on about the downsides of using a zig zag but if it works for you that's all that matters.
 
I did the math on this in the Base Tied SRT TIP Forces thread. In case you need your eyes glazed. :)

I remember vividly the struggle as a new climber hefting the DRT line, bicepping the hold while other-bicepping the slack tend - it was without even having automatic hitch advancement. Then smarter not harder kicked in. Tried the bitty prussic line hitch advance - thought it was magic. Times have changed since then. Rope walking self tending, powered ascender, my muscles and joints thank me. But still remember the rudimentary techniques so you can punish a new climber first before showing them the light and seeing the light of appreciation go off in their head when they do it the easy way second go round.:)
 
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Bart_ said:
I did the math on this in the Base Tied SRT TIP Forces thread. In case you need your eyes glazed. :)

I remember vividly the struggle as a new climber hefting the DRT line, bicepping the hold while other-bicepping the slack tend - it was without even having automatic hitch advancement. Then smarter not harder kicked in. Tried the bitty prussic line hitch advance - thought it was magic. Times have changed since then. Rope walking self tending, powered ascender, my muscles and joints thank me. But still remember the rudimentary techniques so you can punish a new climber first before showing them the light and seeing the light of appreciation go off in their head when they do it the easy way second go round.:)
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The analogy I often use with new climbers when I teach the closed system Blakes hitch hip thrust is, "we used to travel from the east coast to the west coast via horse and buggy or oxen pulling a wagon. many made the trip successfully but it was arduous and not without intense effort. Now we have planes trains and automobiles. Hip thrusting on a closed blakes or tautline is like the horse and buggy days. You'll get the job done, but you'll likely get cholera along the way. SRS, knee ascenders and things like the wraptor are the jet planes/trains. Safe, efficient, reliable...expensive. But sometimes you're just going to the grocery store a mile away and you want a trusty sedan, like a VT with a hitch climber pulley and a spliced eye termination." the point being that you should always know how to climb with just a rope and harness and then chose your tools for the task at hand. Appreciate where we are now by understanding where we came from.
 
rico said:
I am in the process of gearing up for the final run of my climbing career and keeping the weight down on gear is very important as I get older. Getting ready to pull the trigger on some carbon fibers ( distel, gecko?). Sure which Dale was still making the Kiwi's..
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my kk‘s did‘nt last very long. they cracked above the spike. my weight 83 kg without clothing and long spikes propably did‘nt help. my feeling is, they are better suited for short gaffs, light duty work.

bought a pair of bashlins with cadillac pads as a replacement (your recomendation) and i could‘nt be happier.
light enough but i‘m young.
 
Yesterday I was ddrt off crane hook setting crane slings on very long heavy limbs in a tree every bit as wide it was tall. I was on a rope wrench setup with wrench clipped back on standing end of line. Once rigging slings were set and I made obsurdly long limb walks back towards inner crown for my cut point. I'd lanyard in and toss my line up and in over a suitable union .On this cut, I could not retrieve the line to re tie in,, so monkey fist formed I flipped line down and let line to ground . Highly trained ground support staff would basal anchor for me ; ) , I reclip the wrench enable. I like how the RW can do that. If I can retrieve line in tree I'll canobase anchor myself usually or send line down and quick link midline so standing end waiting below makes retrievable. This method saves my climb line a bit from getting roughed up natty crotch or sapped up. That's about the extent of my ddrt an srt blend. But the RW is perfect for switching back and forth.
 
islandarb said:
I want to state now, that today no way am I slinging that size wood with one sling. That one was too long too. It will be double slinged on opposing sides and shorter slings with hook over COG. This was over COG but just had to clarify things. Today I am so much more careful and way more experienced, to not let folk rush me. That job was rushed in my opinion. My buddy was paying for the cranes used a PK 150 too for butt log.
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Yeah that had to shake rattle and roll coming off !
 
Friedrich said:
my kk‘s did‘nt last very long. they cracked above the spike. my weight 83 kg without clothing and long spikes propably did‘nt help. my feeling is, they are better suited for short gaffs, light duty work.

bought a pair of bashlins with cadillac pads as a replacement (your recomendation) and i could‘nt be happier.
light enough but i‘m young.
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Bashlin and caddy! May not be the latest and greatest, but is still one of the most comfy combos ever.
 
Treetopflyer said:
Yeah that had to shake rattle and roll coming off !
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NAh, I can use one sling a lot. Mostly vertical wood. Prefer pieces to be in the 2000 to 5000 range. This came off smooth as I recall. Only the butt gave trouble and that was because the 150T was maxed out. It was around 25000 lbs...9' DBH 25ft tall easy.....went out on another knuckleboom. Screenshot_20230131_115837_Photos.jpg
 
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