A series of poor decisions and I've lost most of my gear in a tree

T

trees_rocks_maps

Location
Massachusetts
So I'm pretty new to tree climbing recreationally and I recently made a series of mistakes attempting to climb an oak tree. First, my throw weight got wedged in a crotch. No big deal, I thought, I'll just cut the line and use a higher branch so I can grab it from above. Well, the branch I chose was just a little to fat for my ring style cambium saver, so when I attempted to flip it over the limb it just cinched tight and also got stuck. What's even better is I used a bunch of carabiners as a replacement weight, so they're up there too! Anyone have any ideas for getting them down? It's basically a lasso around a branch at the moment...
 
Hey trees_rocks_maps, I am a relatively new rec climber and I have been in your shoes before! It sure is frustrating to run out of throw bags and throwlines! I have always improvised or purchased more weights and lines and eventually climbed that tree to get my gear back. I have even used a potato in a sock. The silver lining is the problem solving I had to do to get my stuff down was a learning experience.
Eric
 
Is it good climbing temperature in Massachusetts today? It is 39 degrees with a 15mph breeze here in Indiana. I was up on an extension ladder for a few hours doing electrical work and I am not sure if I want to go back out and climb trees for fun today.
Eric
 
trees_rocks_maps said:
So I'm pretty new to tree climbing recreationally and I recently made a series of mistakes attempting to climb an oak tree. First, my throw weight got wedged in a crotch. No big deal, I thought, I'll just cut the line and use a higher branch so I can grab it from above. Well, the branch I chose was just a little to fat for my ring style cambium saver, so when I attempted to flip it over the limb it just cinched tight and also got stuck. What's even better is I used a bunch of carabiners as a replacement weight, so they're up there too! Anyone have any ideas for getting them down? It's basically a lasso around a branch at the moment...
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Where in Mass are you located? I might be able to help.
 
Hopefully you were planning to climb with rope and harness. You can use those to climb the tree and set fall protection as you go with some elbow grease and a few hours. Even a branchless trunk if it comes down to it.
Throw lines are super helpful, but they aren't actually nessessary for climbing things. Rock climbers will spend days on a wall without launching ropes over the top.
 
Sounds like it might be time to hard yards it and work your way up limb by limb advancing bit by bit. (Been there done that)

Helps to have two long lanyards or use your rope for this.

Obviously you need to be able to get to the lowest branch first and progress from there. I'd suggest monkey fists to help throw. Just don't tie them off or you might lose more gear or get stuck yourself.

Be comfortable you can descend at any point and have fun retrieving and learning
 
I climb almost five days a week and carry three to four throwlines and an assortment of throwballs with me every day. And there have been days when I have gotten all but one of them stuck in a tree. The best way to get one back if it is stuck is to try and get a ball higher and clip it onto the stuck line with a micro biner or something. Once you have done this just pull it back through and it can pull the stuck ball up and out of the crotch. Which would have helped you out if you hadn't set tried to set the friction saver it sounds like.

Oh well we live and we learn!
 
Maybe try going up single rope technique. You don't have to have a multicender. A simple prusik to get you up there and either a figure 8, or the munter hitch on an HMS style carabinier to descend. This will keep you from having to isolate a good crotch and possibly getting another throw bag stuck.
 
Eric H-L said:
Hey trees_rocks_maps, I am a relatively new rec climber and I have been in your shoes before! It sure is frustrating to run out of throw bags and throwlines! I have always improvised or purchased more weights and lines and eventually climbed that tree to get my gear back. I have even used a potato in a sock. The silver lining is the problem solving I had to do to get my stuff down was a learning experience.
Eric
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Hey, Eric! I love the potato in the sock idea! Great thinking!

Tim
 
BRT said:
Your local fire department could be looking for some downtime training....
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lol..... true and with massive respect, I'd keep a phone handy with some arborist's phone numbers. They'd have you down a lot quicker. And make sure you say thanks with some beers.
 
trees_rocks_maps said:
So I'm pretty new to tree climbing recreationally and I recently made a series of mistakes attempting to climb an oak tree. First, my throw weight got wedged in a crotch. No big deal, I thought, I'll just cut the line and use a higher branch so I can grab it from above. Well, the branch I chose was just a little to fat for my ring style cambium saver, so when I attempted to flip it over the limb it just cinched tight and also got stuck. What's even better is I used a bunch of carabiners as a replacement weight, so they're up there too! Anyone have any ideas for getting them down? It's basically a lasso around a branch at the moment...
Click to expand...

Hey, trees_rocks_maps! Welcome to the TreeBuzz forum! I think you're going to like it here! Do you have a first name you don't mind sharing? Your screen name is a little unwieldy. My name is Tim.

So, right now you've got a bunch of carabiners hung up with your cambium saver, because that is what you used as a throw ball replacement, correct? If so, I can see how that might have created a tangle. Usually the throw ball just drops over the other side of the limb and falls. It has been awhile since I've used a friction saver, since I took up climbing Single Rope Technique (SRT) and eliminated the need to isolate a branch. It's one of my favorite things about SRT. If your rope is still tied on, so that you still have access to two sides of a line going through the friction saver, you might be able to try to rock the whole setup back and forth to get something to loosen up. If it seems locked up tight no matter what you do, I'm afraid you might be stuck with getting ahold of more Zing-It and more throw balls, or some suitable substitute for those.

We've probably all gone through similar experiences, so don't feel like you're alone in this. So, to reiterate the lesson observed here, have a bunch of throw balls and a hefty supply of throw line available for circumstances such as these. I know I do.

Tim
 
Yes, welcome @trees_rocks_maps I think you'll love tree climbing and the community here on the buzz. I've only been climbing for 3 years from, a no climbing (but lots of sports) background and now rec climb, participate in TCCs (tree climbing competitions) and take care of my personal property tree care (where it's simple). There is so much to tree climbing to enjoy and get involed with.

There is a wealth of tree climbing, tree care and tree business info to be found. When you get to reading back to the very first page of the SRT section, you've done well. :-) As @TimBr said, enjoy and be welcome. I highly recommend asking questions.
 
Yes, yes, a chain saw is the answer. :numberone:

If you are stuck because you need to wait for your order of more stuff online, you can use the orange box store (HD) in a pinch. The Milwaukee brand chalk lines come un-chalked, and are strong enough for a backup throw line. They are twisted, not braided, line so the lifespan will be short. After you use it to get your stuff back you can modify it and use it for a reel to keep real backup throw line. A metal carpenter's plub bob, or automotive 1/2 drive deep well sockets make acceptable throw weights. Just be careful. There is a reason most climbers don't use solid metal. For less than a $20 you can be out of there with stuff to solve your current problem, and the stuff can be re-purposed.
 
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