Direct aiding and tree physics.

M

mateo

Is anyone here versed in the business of direct aiding a tree??? If so, I would love to hear some tips and tricks for making it easier, because it's not much fun :) Thanks for some input!

Also! Does anyone have particular knowledge on the physics and dynamics of how the tree bears the load of a climber? i.e. using a running bowline the TIP just gets the weight of the climber, what about SRT with a running bowline at the base of the same or different tree etc. Is there any good resources out there on this? Thanks again!

mateo
 
Mateo,

"Direct aid" isn't a term that has made it's way into general use in tree climbing. Can you explain what context you mean?

There is an SRT article in the Articles section.

Lots of SRT discussion in the archives too.

It would be hard to get me to stop talking about SRT so if you have any specific questions, post 'em up!

You're right, an access line that is doubled over a tie in point would put twice the load on the TIP. Is that a concern? It certainly shouldn't be. What it means is that you will have to change the size limb that you use for a TIP. We should never be working at a 1:1 safety margin. Always go for the mondo limb for a TIP.
 
Sorry about the term confusion... I call this direct aiding, because that's how I know it, and don't know a better term for it. It's simple, two slings of webbing girth hitched around a tree, one clips to your harness, the other is a footloop (I suppose another clip would be good, so I put a long prusik loop from my harness to somewhere on the foot loop webbing sling). Follow me? So what you do to ascend is bump the top loop up, sit back (the girth hitch when weighted will stop it from sliding down the tree) advance the footloop sling, stand up. Advance the top loop, sit back, etc, etc, etc.

It's not the most efficient method of ascending, but it can work. I am going to use it to ascend smaller trees to reduce the torque generated with a climbing line. I know it's sketchy, but I'm sure as if I have another choice. But that's another story.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I know it's sketchy, but I'm sure as if I have another choice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sketchy climbing is not healthy. There MUST be another way to work this out. Direct aid is a viable solution though.

Can you post pics of the tree/s plan on climbing? Maybe the gang can find another, non-sketchy, way to climb the trees.

Going home walking is the name of the game.
 
Tom - that's absolutely the name of the game. Unfortunately, I don't have any photographs of the trees... they're in Costa Rica, and I'm not right now :)

Demo - Pruning isn't the name of the game, it's epiphyte research :-p

mateo
 
Are they saplings or are you going to be climbing above your tie in point?

If you're going above your TIP there is an adaptation of lead climbing that works well in trees. You stay tied into your DdRT system at a secure TIP. Then you use a dynamic rock climbing rope to lead, setting anchors as you go.
 
Mateo
I've worked quite alot on epiphyte clad trees and in particular, situations where there was very little damage allowed. We found that useing the trees for access created too much damage to the epiphytes. Useing a method of "aid" climbing could strip the tree of most of its epiphytes in the first ascent, let alone if you were wishing to revisit.

If there are no other "high points" you can use for access in trees around the subject tree, the next best methods are, ladders and or SRT. This will create a small "footprint" where the contact with the tree ismostly static.

A problem we have encountered with working in some trees that have grown in rainforest conditions (and covered with epiphytes) is extensive defects that are very hard to detect with a visual inspection. Use "ladder push test" or preload the SRT to 2-4 times your working load.
 
Hi Mateo,

I'll second the caution about epiphyte growth hiding defects. Test your TIP hard!

I did a climb recently in a big fir with ivy up 120' and the eagles nest that I wanted to inspect up higher yet. I was all set...or so I thought...could not see the TIP. Ann from my office and I tested and on our thrid or fourth bounce out came the rope dumping us on our butts. I managed to get up the tree and came down rippin ivy...buts thats another story.

As for direct aid or any form of lead climbing adapted from rock techniques in trees I can say based on many experiences that it can be very dicey even with a dynamic rope. Falling through or past tree parts that can be sharp and hard is one leader fall I don't want to take.

Good luck sounds like a cool project.

Scott - Seattle
 
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