Crossbow Linesetting

Oxman

Oxman

Location
Seattle
Crossbows are great for setting lines way high up in giant trees. We've been building some crossbows as a fundraiser for the scholarship program for college students who are doing tree research.
Here's a stab at explaining how the 3-stage line pull operation works.
Arboreally yours,
Ox
 
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Here's one of the guys hefting a more powerful version of a crossbow that has compound string action and split limbs and a huge Mitchell 600 spinning reel for higher shots about 200'.
 
Oxman said:
The latest issue of ArbClimber has a pictorial about the multi-stage line pulling process of 1) fishing line; 2) throwline; 3) climbing line. The magazine is available in print, or as a free .pdf download at rescuemagazines.com.


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The article was picked up by ArbClimber after we published a 10 minute video about a group climb in June 2021.
When the video opens in the Youtube app, click on the settings icon in the lower right corner, which looks like a gear. Change the resolution setting to 2160p, which is 4K. If possible watch on a big screen tv, not a tiny phone screen.
Click here for the video:
 
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None of this is possible without the low-stretch properties of HDPE polyester fishing line. The arrow must be lifted slightly, and then allowed to drop suddenly by releasing the fishing line in a 'plucking' operation. If the line were to be made of elastic material, it would not be able to raise & lower the arrow suddenly, overcoming drag over the tree bark with the inertia of the falling arrow. The 32" fishing arrow is solid fiberglass, weighing 3 1/3 ounces.

Note the person in the blue shirt, who is deploying the throwline out of a cube, as the shooter in the green hardhat reels in the fishing line.

This view also shows the tripod mounted Sony Cybershot RX10 camera that the 4K video was filmed with.

aCrossbowDestinationTrees.jpg
 
This thread discusses the archery tools used for linesetting, with the combination of fishing gear and not-so-much, the rope ascending techniques. We can get into the why part--how fun it is to be up there in the overstory.
What do you do when you get up there?
Another video was filmed in 2020 by Chris Henkel, who also had a still photo of Sindi Jo in the magazine. Here's some of the videography by @ChrisHenks and Robert Oxman, who directed & edited the footage.
Please remember to maximize the video resolution in the Youtube player, for your viewing pleasure.
Arboreally yours,
@tree_dr
Click here for the video:
 
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gotta share this story from a friend.

He was a treework helper, about 19. The other guy is using a bow and arrow, with fishing line to set the rope. He fires off a few arrows, and the fishing line is snapping, and they are struggling through this.

Suddenly, a convertible pulls up with the license plate, KNOCKOUT, and two beefy dudes in tight shirts step out hollering "have you seen some kids around here messing with a bow and arrow?! My Dad was nearly hit by an arrow just sitting in the pool!"

So of course they say, "uh, no kids around here!"
 
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