I think I prefer DdRT for my recreational climbing...

Zebco Kid

Zebco Kid

Branched out member
Location
Ashland, Oregon
Hello All,

I have to come clean. Like most here, I started climbing DRT. I have now incorporated SRT into my climbing.

I must admit that I think I enjoy the DRT more...and here's why:

I climb recreationally, so I'm not in a hurry to get up into the canopy and work. Choosing DRT allows me to leave a few pieces of gear off the harness/at home (Knee Ascender, Rope Wrench, Prusik, Chest Harness).

And, when it comes to moving about in the canopy, I think the challenges presented in a Recreational Climbing context can be interesting when climbing DRT (Redirects, Retrieval of Gear).

I was wondering whether other climbers, recreational or professional, have found themselves in the same frame of mind? Or....am I missing something from a recreational climbing standpoint?

I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Cheers.
 
I usually just loop my rope over a crotch when I'm working drt in the canopy and typically work in smaller areas finish the section and move my point if needed to the next so cleaning up my gear is easy. I don't really ascend drt cause it's too slow and takes more energy imo. I use the same gear for both ascent styles foot ascender half hass (home made hass) rrp. If I'm going to work drt in the tree for a while I'll switch out the rrp for a camp giant.
As a working climber my challenges are different than yours every tree is a puzzle I get to either make pretty or safer or take down/apart in the fastest easiest safest manner for me whatever/whoever is under me and makes the whole job run as smooth as possible, like figuring out if an extra half hour in the tree will save us 45 minutes of clean up time.
 
I climbed SRT for decades before ever hearing about DdRT, so I'm almost exclusively SRT. I may use DdRT on a long lanyard once I'm up in a tree. Obviously not everyone's preference, but it works for me.
 
I’ll say this as most climbers were I’m from frown on SRT mainly because it takes so long to get set up granted if the trees are way to big for a 32 foot extension ladder then yeah you would probably be faster but it depends on you skill level as well and what your good at SRT is more technical but ddrt to me provides more simple options for moving around a challenging tree. Simplicity vs ease of access and redirects ddrt vs SRT.
 
Ibtyler said:
I’ll say this as most climbers were I’m from frown on SRT mainly because it takes so long to get set up granted if the trees are way to big for a 32 foot extension ladder then yeah you would probably be faster but it depends on you skill level as well and what your good at SRT is more technical but ddrt to me provides more simple options for moving around a challenging tree. Simplicity vs ease of access and redirects ddrt vs SRT.
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Shouldn't take you very long to set a rope 32 ft up in a tree.
 
As a production climber- I really enjoy ddrt! Both styles have uses, but I enjoy ddrt work more for the route planning and overall flow when climbing. Ironically, I do a LOT of srt climbing. It can be fun, too, but ddrt is my favorite from purely an enjoyment factor. At work, obviously it comes down to whatever gets the job done best and fastest.
 
Vicente said:
Shouldn't take you very long to set a rope 32 ft up in a tree.
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That’s the point srt is really great for tall trees but with 12ft poles and a 32 foot extension ladder it’s pointless in my opinion. Really my srt is for around my house and Rec climbing as I’m not hauling a ladder everywhere I go
 
Ibtyler said:
That’s the point srt is really great for tall trees but with 12ft poles and a 32 foot extension ladder it’s pointless in my opinion. Really my srt is for around my house and Rec climbing as I’m not hauling a ladder everywhere I go
Click to expand...
So you guys cut from extension ladders with a power pruner?
 
Zebco Kid said:
Hello All,

I have to come clean. Like most here, I started climbing DRT. I have now incorporated SRT into my climbing.

I must admit that I think I enjoy the DRT more...and here's why:

I climb recreationally, so I'm not in a hurry to get up into the canopy and work. Choosing DRT allows me to leave a few pieces of gear off the harness/at home (Knee Ascender, Rope Wrench, Prusik, Chest Harness).

And, when it comes to moving about in the canopy, I think the challenges presented in a Recreational Climbing context can be interesting when climbing DRT (Redirects, Retrieval of Gear).

I was wondering whether other climbers, recreational or professional, have found themselves in the same frame of mind? Or....am I missing something from a recreational climbing standpoint?

I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Cheers.
Click to expand...
I do a lot of srt climbing and do my removals mostly ddrt. Now I use ddrt a lot, but in a world of production I prefer srt for a lot of things. That said, when time lost in going up and down doesn't matter, playing with ddrt set ups and redirects is a lot of fun and can be so smooth and ergonomically friendly
 
I climb with a moving rope system with a ball bearing pulley at the top. It takes a little more time to put up, but I like the simplicity of using just a Zigzag for climbing and descending. I can climb a little with just my hands, but I'll add a double-hand ascender with foot loop for longer climbs. There's a video here: https://www.treebuzz.com/forum/thre...e-climbing-with-my-doubled-rope-system.46458/

After setting and isolating a throwline in a suitable TIP, I'll pull a rope over the TIP and back to the ground. I'll use that rope to the pull the pulley and climbing rope up to the TIP, and secure it to the basal anchor. The pulley really makes climbing easier, so the extra time and effort to get it up there is well worth it.

I've put plastic rope guides at the TIPs I use repeatedly to keep from damaging the trees.
 
southsoundtree said:
@Winchman

Are you using a lowerable base-tie?
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Yes. There's an adjustable anchor around the tree with an eye. The rope holding the pulley up is connected to the eye with a prussik knot for adjustment. There's also a back-up tie-off in case the prussik slips. Unless I'm tied in with my lanyard, someone can lower me by undoing the back-up, and using the prussik to control my descent. There's always enough rope to lower me to the ground.
 
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