Cover Pic For Wespur Catalog

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But, if Roger says he knows his stuff, then no worries.

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Not true. I have known many great climbers that are no longer with us. This can happen quickly from a simple mistake.

If you look closely at that picture you will see that not only is his AFC very close to the block and in line with the running rope but the log is in mid-fall and he is still clipping his saw into his saddle.

Lockdown is only one danger of tieing in below the block and is usually temporary. Melt through is the other danger and unless you have seen it or experienced it, it is hard to believe how fast a running bull line can melt through tough fiber. This is far more dangerous in my mind and worth avoiding. The melt damage will occur in an area not readily visible to the climber.

If for some reason I have to tie in below the block, it will be with a cable core. But I will generally be able to find another way. I learned rigging from one of the greatest riggers this industry has ever seen. He was a firm believer in not being tied in below your rigging.

Dave
 
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Anyone know of any incidents where a block slipped down the spar?

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For years I had tied in with one attachment above and one attachment below the sling. One day while removing the spar of a dead loblolly pine I decided to try having both attachments above the sling. When the piece hit the rigging there was an explosion of dust and debris. 'Hmmm...strange' I thought. Then I looked down and saw that the sling had slid down the trunk and stopped between my knees and my feet. If the sling had slid a few inches farther it would have caught my spikes. If I had had an attachment below the sling (as I normally did) I would have been sucked into the spar. The tree gods smiled on me that day.

This debate has been going on for years. Note that Mark's article was written in 1997. The incident that I described above happened about eight years ago. Now I cut a notch (or two)for the sling if it looks like there is any chance that the sling could slip.

I think there are pros and cons of having an attachment either above or below the block. Neither argument heavily outweighs the other so its important that the climber knows all of the many variables (some of which are mentioned in this thread) when deciding how they themselves will tie in. Todd Kramer and I used to give a presentation titled 'Working a Spar Safely' and we each showed (and personally used) different methods. I could write an article about all of the details, so, before I get carried away, I'll simply repeat that it's important to know all that could happen and set your system accordingly.
 
Since we're on the subject of oversites/typos/strange behavior, etc......

Page 50 in the new Sherrill catalog, lower right of the page, shows the Hitchclimber setup as a 3:1 ascent system. This is incorrect. The configuration shown can aid in descending, but the prusik and krab must be set on the running leg of rope in order to ascend with a 3:1.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
But, if Roger says he knows his stuff, then no worries.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not true. I have known many great climbers that are no longer with us. This can happen quickly from a simple mistake.

If you look closely at that picture you will see that not only is his AFC very close to the block and in line with the running rope but the log is in mid-fall and he is still clipping his saw into his saddle.

Lockdown is only one danger of tieing in below the block and is usually temporary. Melt through is the other danger and unless you have seen it or experienced it, it is hard to believe how fast a running bull line can melt through tough fiber. This is far more dangerous in my mind and worth avoiding. The melt damage will occur in an area not readily visible to the climber.

If for some reason I have to tie in below the block, it will be with a cable core. But I will generally be able to find another way. I learned rigging from one of the greatest riggers this industry has ever seen. He was a firm believer in not being tied in below your rigging.

Dave

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Tying in below the block would be a grave mistake. Tying in just under the sling and above the block is not, IMO. Near zero chance of rope burn occuring, and the width of the block should keep the lanyard/lifeline from being pinched. I do see the potential problem if the sling were to be pulled down.

Greg Liu was one of the main climbers on the redwood "Tree House" pruning that Gerry ran. Great climber!
 
[/ QUOTE ]Tying in below the block would be a grave mistake. Tying in just under the sling and above the block is not, IMO. Near zero chance of rope burn occuring, and the width of the block should keep the lanyard/lifeline from being pinched. I do see the potential problem if the sling were to be pulled down.

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Roger, again I agree with what you're saying and that is where my lanyard is placed when blocking down wood - just under the sling but above the block.

As far as keeping the the sling and block from sliding on slippery stems, I believe I was told by Robert Phillips to cut a slight groove in the trunk to prevent slippage as others have mentioned.
 
I just don't get it i guess. Why put yourself in a position where something might go wrong when there is another option that would eliminate the risk all together. I am not knocking anyones credability or knowledge about professional tree work or singling anyone out. I just don't see the logic in it. the only reason I can see for being below the sling is to keep from getting thrown off the spar if sent for a ride. With that being said, a cinch type tie-in is necesarry for me to feel comfortable and safe when blocking down the wood. If you leave a 10 inch leg from the block to where the sling is positioned, thats that much farther the heavy wood has to fall before being caught by the rig line. This can can cause an even greater injury should the ground guy have too many wraps or the rope gets jammed somehow and shocks the line.
 
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I just don't get it i guess. Why put yourself in a position where something might go wrong when there is another option that would eliminate the risk all together.

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Copied from my post above:

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...there are pros and cons of having an attachment either above or below the block. Neither argument heavily outweighs the other so its important that the climber knows all of the many variables (some of which are mentioned in this thread) when deciding how they themselves will tie in.

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Neither argument heavily outweighs the other.

One of the variables that has not been mentioned yet is that putting the attachment above the block places that attachment closer to where the cut is being made, and thus there is more of a chance of cutting yourself out of the tree. This argues for placing the attachment(s) below the sling.

Another variable that hadn't been mentioned until you pointed it out is this:

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If you leave a 10 inch leg from the block to where the sling is positioned, thats that much farther the heavy wood has to fall before being caught by the rig line.

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This argues for placing the attachment(s) above the sling.

I could write an article about all of the details, so, before I get carried away, I'll simply repeat that it's important to know all that could happen and set your system accordingly.
 
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Anyone know of any incidents where a block slipped down the spar?

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No, not using a block anyway, but my Hobbs device has slipped up the trunk a few times catching big wood.

I kinda like that because it absorbs dynamic energy that would otherwise be directed at you taking a ride above at 75 feet.

jomoco
 
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