grapple hook?

[Marc_H]

CMI makes one. Grappling Hook

Some jobs it's hard to use a throw bag with out it coming down in the wrong place. Imagine what this thing would do?

 

[Gord]

I think the grapple Gareth posted is used mostly to aid in tree-to-tree transfer.

 

[Gareth]

Sorry in getting back to you late.
The claw is an aid in traversing between two trees. See it like a long extended hand! So the climber will be in the first tree, the next tree which he needs to get into is alongside him but too far for a "kickover" or a swing. The idea with the claw system is to remain tied into your first tree (primary TIP),then to get your claw out and throw it into the neighbouring tree, where the arms of the claw will engage and take a hold of the tree. You now start the process of moving from the first tree to the next. This is done by backing down from your main TIP and by pulling yourself up and across towards the claw line. I use a hand ascender on the 8mm claw line with bridge attachment to my harness.
My claw line is 50ft long. I have succesfully traversed 45 ft from one tree to the next ( i was probably about 130 ft above ground at the point of my traverse ! it was a 230 ft old growth D. Fir, where i traversed into a neighbouring D. Fir). SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS ON THIS TREE
An important design feature in the claw is that it must have retractable arms, and a swelling at the top of the shaft. These two features aid in manipulating the claw through a canopy as well as retreiving the claw on a missed shot (yanking/deflecting).
PHOTO 1. Claw line set in neighbouring tree

 

[Gareth]

PHOTO 2 : Hand ascender attached to claw line

 

[Gareth]

PHOTO 3; Looking back the distance i had traversed. This took me 2ft shy of my 150ft line!

 

[Gareth]

PHOTO 4: Here is Scotty who climbed with me, using my (now tied off line) as a zip line.

 

[jeff_r]

Good stuff - thanks Gareth! That grapple must be a custom job?

 

[Marc_H]

[ QUOTE ]
An important design feature in the claw is that it must have retractable arms

[/ QUOTE ]

How do the arms retract and deploy?

 

[treebing]

that looks pretty awesome. It seems like when it locks in it would be pretty secure, how is it on the tree? it seems like it might bang up certain kinds of trees pretty good.

 

[Gord]

Where is that tree Gareth? I'm in Victoria for the week...

 

[Gareth]

Hi Jeff. Grapple is a custom job. It is made of aluminium. My neighbour is a ship wright / builder. He made it for me for two bottles of rum!
The arms flip out with gravity and fold in when it touches a branch etc on the bottom side.When you choose a branch / crotch, you must committ and maintain tension throughout the traverse.
Surprisingly enough it does very little damage at all.
Hi there Gord - good to hear from you. The tree is out in Francis King park (Highlands). 15 min drive from Victoria.

 

[fhfr436]

Here's an easily portable one originally made for EOD teams. Definitely not for climbing.
http://www.countycomm.com/hook.htm

 

[fhfr436]

Here are some others more intended for SWAT-type use.
http://tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/climbing%20gear%20main/trg_tech_hook.htm

http://tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/climbing%20gear%20main/trg_laser_hook_2_5.htm

http://tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/climbing%20gear%20main/trg_grabber_grappling_hook.htm

 

[Gareth]

Holy smoke dude that last grapple looks awesome. That would be be perfect for tree traversing.
If only i had some spare cash!
Good one.

 

[TreeBarber]

Gareth, how do you get the grapple undone when it hooks onto a limb or something you don’t want? I like the idea, and see the time saving when trimming multiple trees. Thanks for the info.

 

[No_Bivy]

not really a g-hook, but more for grabbin lines..

 

[treebing]

on one hand I like the gates on that thing for catching lines. But what about catching branches as well? seems like its pretty liable to get badly stuck.

 

[Gareth]

If you look at the top of the design on my home made grapple it has a swollen top. If you miss your target and want to retrieve the grapple you give it a quick tug - the swollen top will come into contact with the branch and will be deflected - the momentum from the tug will carry the claw past and beyond the branch and will thus free the claw. You will need to follow up quickly to take up the slack created.

 

[TreeBarber]

Thanks for the info, that makes sense. I’m trying to make my own and I will incorporate that feature into it.

 

[MattyD]

That is one heck of a grapnel gareth! I would love to see that thing in action. You should get some video of you and that bad boy in action