Beeline Bridge Broke: Close Call

Been hearing way too much about catastrophic bridge failure. Technology and innovative uses are probably happening mor quickly than the science can back it.

Tree people are extremely innovative and with the relative lack of binding regulations on us, we are free to experiment. Which is good. But.
As suggested, it's important for us to understand the qualities of the rope we are planning to use. Rope is not just rope obviously.
 
I keep thinking: If a young tree climber read this thread - would it be confusing? What conclusion has ever come out of the Weaver and/or bridge replacement talk...

CHANGE YOUR BRIDGE OFTEN - like once per year!

Don't use Aramid core rope (what is this, I can't remember)
Use Double Braid? which one...
Vectran? hum
Even WarpSpeed (Dyneema) gets old and crumbles...

SO WHICH ONE DO WE LIKE

p.s - spend some money on your harness, cheap is for Macaroni & Cheese
 
At this point the lessons to me are, no covered, core dependent bridge assemblies; and change the bridge often.

I use 16 strand HiVee and it's performed really well so far. But I also have a spliced Tech Cord (Atlantic Braids) backup bridge that's in parallel.

Bridges are good.
 
[ QUOTE ]
cheap is for Macaroni & Cheese

[/ QUOTE ]

I prefer the expensive homemade kind. Cheddar and a tad of smoked gouda... Breadcrumbs on top. If I gotta go cheap, I'll still go with Annie's! :)

-Tom
 
Ha Ha Tom ya crack me up. I will try me some of that mac'n'cheese sounds as good as the one my English wife makes. Pleaseeeeeeeeee guys don't spare expense on dem bridges. Paul.
 
Not to derail, but can you guys be a little more specific about the Petzl bridges?

What's crappy about them?
What signs of wear do you see on them that makes them look ready for retirement?

I use a Sequoia, so it'd be helpful to have your input/feedback...Thanks.
 
The webbing layers begin to separate from each other. I went through 2 of them in one year. Because of this I had open the gated rings several times, in doing so, I stripped one of the heads on the bolts in the gated rings. Petzl was unwilling to send me a replacement ring. My resolution was to use on of the heavier webbing bridges available from sherrill that are girth hitched on to the rings.

Better bridge by far, and as long as I can open one of the gated rings i can replace that bridge if be needed. Im certain it will outlast the factory bridge by a long shot.

Petzl makes good products....too bad their customer service sucks. I wont be buying any of their products because of their unwillingness to step up and correct my situation.
 
Yep, you'll see the stitching on the webbing start to fray then the layers separate. I called them the first time my bridge delayered. They danced around it and really couldn't see the issue. Very disappointing attitude.
 
I found out from Yale Cordage that Dyneema does in fact 'crumble' after repeated 'heat-ups' (a link riding back & forth). I didn't know that.
Polyester is recommended for a bridge. Eleven point seven (11.7mm) millimeter minimun diameter.
 
Thanks for the info regarding the Petzl bridge.

That's a shame about their customer service. Seems like they'd want to come to their customers' aid a little more readily, particularly industrial rope access customers, as I imagine that is a smaller market than their recreational market...I imagine...don't know...
 
[ QUOTE ]
I found out from Yale Cordage that Dyneema does in fact 'crumble' after repeated 'heat-ups' (a link riding back & forth). I didn't know that.
Polyester is recommended for a bridge. Eleven point seven (11.7mm) millimeter minimun diameter.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good investigative work Norm.
 
Yes, thankyou Norm.

I have used 11mm Velocity (Polyester cover, Nylon core) for my Ergovation bridge. I think I will replace with Vortex.

THAT IS IF: Double braid is the suggested material.
Velocity, Vortex, and ArborMaster is listed as Polyester cover with Nylon core. True Blue is all Polyester (makes Daniel happy) but non spliceable.
STABLE BRAID is listed as Polyester Cover with Polyester core... Tenex is all Polyester.
 
What are some good options for non-covered bridges?
For a non-splicer...

I currently run hand-spliced warpspeed bridges.

It is a bit unnerving how the core eventually herniates but you can't really see what's going on in there through the cover..

Have seen amsteel blue and various climb lines get used, but never friction hitch cord.
 
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