Climbing a tower

Windwalker

Windwalker

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Pine Grove, Pa
Had an interesting job offer the other day. A friend, who works for the company that is doing the job, asked if I wanted to climb a light tower in a stadium to swap out an old light with a new light. There are 30 lights on each tower and they plan to replace all the lights. They want me to climb, remove and lower 1 old light, and fit a new light. They basically want hands on with the mounting. That way when they come back to do the job with a basket lift they will have/know exactly what they need. Its a pole like the one pictured, 130', with ladder pegs. At first it kinda seemed like a cool idea, but I'm having second thoughts. I've climbed rocks, trees and sailboat masts, but never a tower. Its not the height that concerns me, as I also fly a powered paraglider. Its the fact that all my gear is dedicated to trees or rock, and this is an unfamiliar element. Just wondering if anyone on here has done something like this? With rock and tree you start out low and slow, learn your gear and ropes. This will be all in from the get go. No ropes, just some lanyards. Is climbing climbing? I would think a guy who climbs these towers on a regular basis would struggle in a working tree environment until learned. So I'm thinking a tree guy may struggle in the tower environment? I know a tree saddle isn't fall rated, so I could wear my rock harness which is, but think a chest system and some sort of fall arrest system would be good too, since in rock climbing the dynamic rope absorbs the energy of a fall. Climbing a tower would be on short lanyards , not much energy absorption. Mainly just thinking out load, but would love to hear some thoughts. Thanks.
 

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Pelorus said:
I read a news report from a couple of years ago that Nick B. has some communications tower climbing experience. Hopefully he can provide insight or tips for climbing that light pole.

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/20160
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hahaha nick's going to hate you

Windwalker said:
Had an interesting job offer the other day. A friend, who works for the company that is doing the job, asked if I wanted to climb a light tower in a stadium to swap out an old light with a new light. There are 30 lights on each tower and they plan to replace all the lights. They want me to climb, remove and lower 1 old light, and fit a new light. They basically want hands on with the mounting. That way when they come back to do the job with a basket lift they will have/know exactly what they need. Its a pole like the one pictured, 130', with ladder pegs. At first it kinda seemed like a cool idea, but I'm having second thoughts. I've climbed rocks, trees and sailboat masts, but never a tower. Its not the height that concerns me, as I also fly a powered paraglider. Its the fact that all my gear is dedicated to trees or rock, and this is an unfamiliar element. Just wondering if anyone on here has done something like this? With rock and tree you start out low and slow, learn your gear and ropes. This will be all in from the get go. No ropes, just some lanyards. Is climbing climbing? I would think a guy who climbs these towers on a regular basis would struggle in a working tree environment until learned. So I'm thinking a tree guy may struggle in the tower environment? I know a tree saddle isn't fall rated, so I could wear my rock harness which is, but think a chest system and some sort of fall arrest system would be good too, since in rock climbing the dynamic rope absorbs the energy of a fall. Climbing a tower would be on short lanyards , not much energy absorption. Mainly just thinking out load, but would love to hear some thoughts. Thanks.
Click to expand...

From my understanding people "leapfrog" their tie-in's in front of them, using 2 short lanyards. You'd have no problem getting up there. On another note though ... why would you want to downclimb 130' ? Take up a small static rap line, double it over the top and rap down on something beefy like a rappel rack. Then when you want to remove your rope, just tie a throwline to one end to have a controlled lower
 
CanadianStan said:
hahaha nick's going to hate you



From my understanding people "leapfrog" their tie-in's in front of them, using 2 short lanyards. You'd have no problem getting up there. On another note though ... why would you want to downclimb 130' ? Take up a small static rap line, double it over the top and rap down on something beefy like a rappel rack. Then when you want to remove your rope, just tie a throwline to one end to have a controlled lower
Click to expand...

Leapfrogging lanyards around all the foot pegs would take awhile. After doing some more research there is device called a cable sleeve that is similar to a rope grab for cable. This attaches to the vertical cable that is permanently attached to the pole. Slides up and down with the climber and locks incase of a fall. That would definitely simplify things, but just like tree gear, they aren't cheap. and I don't think my rope runner is gonna work. I was thinking of rappelling down.
 
I'm guessing the learning curve to switch form trees to towers is probably quick? The advantage of a tower like that that is designed to be climbed is that there are almost certainly going to be rated tie-in points. You just need to know what and where those are. The temptation is to just throw a rope up and over...and that may well be strong enough, but from an ANSI/OSHA standpoint, you are no longer in the tree so not under Z133 meaning you are on the construction standard which requires rated tie in points. For one tower, I'd just leapfrog a lanyard and a rope that reaches the ground DdRT as if it were a second lanyard. That way if you need to bail, you have that. I'd then put that through the designed tie-in.

Of course, I've also seen 1500' radio tower climbers with NO tie in, so.... I don't know for sure what the rules are there. Since the cable is there, it may be required that you use that???

My neighbor had asked if I could help dissemble a radio tower on top of a rental he owns. I went to look at it. One of the guy-wires was broken off so the upper 2/3 of the tower didn't have adequate guy supports (on a tower designed to be supported by wires). I said "find a crane"! That was the closest I've come to tower climbing...
 
I fly PPGs too so height isn't a problem. Whatever you do just make sure it's right. I wouldn't have any problem using my tree gear on it. Ladder pegs are meant to be climbed. As long as they're safe and have been inspected regularly. Without seeing it and going by your description I'd carry two lanyards. Flipline to the top. Tie in, do the work with a lanyard then rapel down on a secure tie in point. 130 ft would take a 260 ft rope minimum to reach the ground doubled up. I'd use 300 ft to be safe. It might be 140 or 150 ft and then you might not reach the ground.
 
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Have boots with sturdy arches!

Use good climbing style. Make a solid foot plant, lever up using thighs to push through the motion. Gently lock your knees so that your bones are supporting you not your muscles. Then relax your muscles. Don’t do chin-ups. You’ll waste away your shoulders and arms

A buddy of mine was a ham radio operator. He’d build and dismantle towers. He said tree climbing was easier because of the various moves and standing positions. He said tower climbing was most similar to spiking spars or poles
 
Looks kinda fun. Hopefully no hurdles fitting replacement parts on.
Yeah your stuff is geared towards trees but if anything it'd be overkill for the job.

Are you familiar with lockout of equipment? I'd want a lock on the power to that whole tower.

If there's good anchor up there, consider leaving a throwline in it, if there's to be a return trip.
 
Have you done any searching around on YouTube? They may have some vids for how it’s done a few ways. I would wear my tree saddle. Whether it’s rated for falls or not, I know and trust my tree saddle. Plus, a lot more gear loops for your pulleys, and etc for raising and lowering your lights.
You’ve got an opportunity I’d love to have, I’ve always wanted a tower gig, as a sub of course
 
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