I'm joining the 21st century! No shit.

[Z'sTrees]

Hey, Z's Trees! I hope you don't mind a newbie-like question. What is your reason for going up, down, and up again, in order to utilize a canopy tie in your climbing? Is it to eliminate the hidden "down-leg" of the base-tied setup because it might be too easy to accidently cut it when reaching around the tree with a chainsaw? Or maybe to put it out of reach of people on the ground who might attempt to try to kill you by cutting your rope, either out of ignorance or on purpose? I'm just trying to understand the mindset of an experienced climber like yourself who chooses to do that extra work to set up a canopy tie. My last guess would be to possibly eliminate the doubling of forces on the primary suspension point, but I'd be thinking that would be a smaller consideration than the first two possibilities I mentioned. Thanks for your help.

Tim

Tim,
Firstly I don't like doing any removals or alot of cuts with a base tie. Way too much to worry about, imo. Secondly I like having just enough rope to do what work I am going to do, keeps the tail from getting tangled, cut, swamped in brush, and or drug to the chipper. Also it makes for less rope to handle when pulling up lines, etc.
With the big shot I can quickly set a line at or near where im gonna blow a top, fly up there on ascenders and switch to a more secure and safer canopy anchor around the trunk. Set up any rigging if need be, etc.
I know its climbing twice, and there are trees I just hike on spikes but working with a top rope is much safer and ergonomic.