Accessing a tree

MattP

MattP

Location
sheffield.uk
hi can anyone help me with the best system for accessing a big tree,at the moment i use the pantin and a blakes works ok but hard work on realy big trees. im looking at the frog system it looks pritty good,i dont want to much gear i like the climb light. thanks matt
 
foot locking is by far the cheapest solution but can be tiring when accessing multiple trees with long ascents. The treefrog system works very well at saving energy and is quick to get you in that tree but can be a little cumbersome to removal some of the gear (I remove my chest ascender, and you still have to remove your hand ascender and its appropriate backup) I would say that I probably only footlock 10% of the trees I climb. The other 90 I srt froggy style. I am the only climber on the crew so it is important that I stay as rested as possible. Also I do drt off of srt so that my crew can rescue me if something were to happen (remember I am the only climber so no one can come get me if something were to go wrong)
 
Matt, I used to be one of those climbers who was against any extra gear that was not totally necessary. Then I tried SRT and saw how easy it is. Now I seem to want every piece of gear out there. Gear is out there for a reason and it is to make your life easier and/or safer. Not every piece of equipment is a good fit for everyone, but dont count anything out. I think you should look into the different SRT systems and see if one peaks your interest; ie, the frog system. If so, I think you should try it out. Just my thought.
 
How big? Huge redwoods and eucs where you're right against the stem would suck if you were footlocking and scraping knuckles the whole way.

A 75' ascent into a big healthy oak with a TIP away from the stem is footlock city. Use paired ascenders instead of a prussik if you're a Geezer like me. Be sure to use your legs as much as possible, your arms will wear out fast if you don't.

You just can't beat footlocking for fast efficient roped access. SRT is cool and everything but it's too complicated and gear intensive for my taste.

RANGER... have you tried pointing your toes down before pushing up? It makes the rope set tighter. Keep your back straight and vertical when you push up to keep your weight on your legs... and breathe.
 
Gear might be the way to go. Carry a throwline up to lower out unneccessary stuff once at the top.
 
I used to footlock the tail of my rope but since have switched to a Kong Dual Ascender backed up by a Croll ascender and my Knut hitch on a single line. Footlocking the tail with a 2:1 ratio was too tiring on long ascents. The gain by footlocking SRT is really worth the effort in gear and practice!!!
 
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Use paired ascenders instead of a prussik if you're a Geezer like me.

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I messed around with SRT briefly but have the same problems with the gear intensity... Maybe when someone who knows what they're doing can show me, I'll make the switch. For now it's footlock city.

Chip, does the double kong ascender make a huge difference compared with a simple cord?? I'm interested for longer footlocking ascents.

jp
grin.gif
 
Jon, spend some more time experimenting with SRT. Try to set up something similar to the Sherrill "TreeFrog" system if you can get most of the gear together. It will save you tons of energy on those tall albizias.
 
SRT is the way to go in my opinion. Whether it's a panting and handled ascender or one of the more gear intense. I think srt is fantasic and on many long ascents that's the way to go.
 
I used to body thrust everything for years and was reluctant to use the static foot locking technique but now that I have developed a good technique I feel like it's the only way to go.
 
footlock is a killer on the knees, as least for me and it can get exhusting, as least for me.

on short 15-20 foot i would footlock, but on more, GEAR.

GEE i must be out of shape.

anyway - srt is what i am hearing and ascender and a pantin

gear is what you need.

have fun and stay safe
 
Footlocking the tail is indeed laborious cuz of the 2:1 thing plus if the rope is in a natural crotch you get the friction problem to boot. I footlock the doubled rope which makes for a 1:1 ratio, easier locks and no friction.

The Kong double would do the same as doubled Petzls, I think.

I get past the 30' burnout by using a tether that's short enough to rest on. It makes it so you can take a brief rest between every bite or you can just hang for a bit without worrying about having to unjam your prussik. It's not anywhere near as exhausting as footlocking competition style. By the time I get into the tree and tied in, I'm ready to work even after going 50' or 60'.

Of all the stuff I've learned about tree climbing, I think footlocking doubled rope with ascenders has been the most valuable.

JZ, about yer knees, make sure you're close to and parallel with the rope, toes down and KNEES TOGETHER before pushing up. Don't push while your knees are out to the side. Look at some of your pictures of folks like Rob or John or James footlocking and note how vertically oriented they are when pushing up. I'll try to post some later.
 
footlocking is great for up to 60ft if your away from the stem and srt for longer climbs and close to the stem.
once you learn these tricks it becomes more efficent
 
footlock is work...well so is climbing. Resting on the rope is key to practice. I notice if I don't focus on my breathing I pump out much faster, Breath in when the legs come up and breath out when you stand up. Rinse, lather, repeat.......I will SRT stuff over 60 usually
 
hello all and thanks for all the responses. at the moment we just put a ladder up the tree and bung a rope up as high as we can then body thrust on up, i think im going to get better at foot locking first then look into getting the frog system, thanks matt
 
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