Energy absorber for rock climbing.

Tree Lady said:
avantclimbing.com

Comfort-Catch LRS Absorber | Avant Climbing Innovations

Energy-absorbing link for lead rope solo systems. Comfort-Catch stretches under load to reduce peak forces and create a smoother catch during falls.
avantclimbing.com avantclimbing.com
What do you think?
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Sounds like a great device if you are doing a lot of solo lead climbing out on the rock walls. I'm not sure why you would want to use it in a tree, seems like a great way to bounce all over the place.
 
For what? Tree climbing? Shouldn't be in a position to take a fall. We operate in a work positioning system, not a fall arrest system. Fall arrest lanyards for bucket work already have controlled deceleration manufactured in.

Agreed with @Reach, sounds good for what it was designed to be used for.
 
Any of you think the shock absorber might help in a work positioning lanyard system when you are expecting to get paddle balled? I’m trying to think if that’s a good idea or not.
 
southsoundtree said:
I use a Yates Screamer from time to time on SRS base-ties. Static until overloaded. I especially will use them with htp, as there is not any appreciable stretch to cushion if a redirect breaks.
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I can see a place where that would be be good to have in trees. Questionable tie in points that you really can't see, that makes sense. Simply attaching a bunch of cord to the rope though? That sounds like a bad idea.

In rock climbing, you climb the rock, the rope is there simply to catch you if you fall. In tree climbing, you climb the rope, the tree just happens to be attached to it. Very different approach.
 
Reach said:
I can see a place where that would be be good to have in trees. Questionable tie in points that you really can't see, that makes sense. Simply attaching a bunch of cord to the rope though? That sounds like a bad idea.

In rock climbing, you climb the rock, the rope is there simply to catch you if you fall. In tree climbing, you climb the rope, the tree just happens to be attached to it. Very different approach.
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Or could you make an arrangement for using a climb line with more elongation.
 
ATH said:
Isn't that a primary difference between rock ropes and tree ropes? (more elongation in rock ropes)
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That is probably the biggest difference. Rock rope is naturally rather like a bungee cord. The rope I used to climb on, I've long forgotten the name, had probably 3 feet of sit back with 80 feet of rope in the system. It would stretch a lot further than that if you fell into it, but a good belayer keeps you from being jolted to a stop. Solo climbing lead is still difficult though, for that I can definitely understand wanting the extra stretch of a bungee like what is pictured above.
 
I was considering using a short-ish piece of dynamic rope for climbing the last 6-10 feet of conifers for cone collecting work. Gonna hopefully get my chance this summer, and though I have climbed to the last three feet of the tops of Ponderosa pines before, I imagine that with the nature of the work, I might want to be on a fall arrest system for the little bit of time where I am on a part of the tree that might fail if I slip to one side or something. I am curious for any input anyone might offer in that direction.
 
southsoundtree said:
There is a standardized self-belay used by pickers for the USFS.

Also, climb with your back to the wind.
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Is that the one where you use the rock climbing style of re-anchoring with a sling and carabiner? I was thinking of doing that, but using a 30' piece of dynamic line for that last stretch where I will start placing slings, though still using my regular lanyard to keep me stable and steady in any given position, and keeping the main line with me, just not tensioned.

I like the idea of keeping my back to the wind, so that you get pushed more into the tree.
 
I haven't seen screamers used to belay on rock. There you place rated pro in good rock in good placements (excusing for a moment the generally crappy sedimentary rock we have in the Alberta Rockies or on the N face of the Eiger which are all in the process of falling apart). Ah the granite of the Coast ranges or Chammonix!
Where I have seen screamers used is in alpine/ ice climbing, but I think it is more to protect ice screw placements in dubious ice (say a bulge you can't avoid for some reason). In alpine and rock, your rope and belayer are used to absorb the energy of the fall (a really huge amount in a quite short whipper). In trees, ropes are static not dynamic, harnesses and the stuff we use are not fall protection but work positioning (remember the ANSI Z and in fact most H&S regs). I think before I'd use a screamer on the SRT line base tie, I'd try and get another whorl or branch real close under your TIP. I think the screamer would have to be close to you to work in the manner you're thinking (without breaking body parts) what with friction in the tree before the force ever got to the base tied screamer. But that's just my two cents this morning. That would still be an awful sudden jolt. Cheers.
 
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ATH said:
Honestly, I'm not sure. Maybe instead of a work positioning harvest?
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Y'know, for SRT climbing in straight conifers, it's not that bad. I actually learned how to climb in a fall arrest harness, and while awkward and uncomfortable, is definitely doable.
 
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Some tree climbing saddles have a top that can turn them into fall arrest of I'm not mistaken. I think one of our new climbers has a Sequoia SRT and petzl top rig with a back mounted D for use as fall arrest.
 
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