kid sized saddles

overpaidmuniguy

overpaidmuniguy

Location
Cleveland, OH
Anyone know some sources for saddles and gear for the little ones? My boys know Dad climbs trees, and I'm a bit nervous about them deciding to imitate me when I'm not around. Time to start them right from the beginning.

Also, any experiences with tree climbing in public parks?

I've been climbing in the mornings before work getting ready for the Ohio climbing jamboree at some parks close by, which seemed like a good idea, but my co-workers say I'm going to end up arrested... Is this a problem or should one stick to trees off the beaten path?

Thanks,
A Dad in Ohio
 
New Tribe makes small harnesses.

Another option is a full body harness but some of them don't adapt well to DdRT systems.

climbing in parks is always a hit and miss. If you ever get spotted more than likely you'll be asked nicely to leave and not come back. The only time that I've ever heard of a ticket being issued is when there are other, larger, issues. Solo tree climbing is generally far enough under the radar to not be a worry.
 
Its nice to know folks on the park boards. Other semi-public places are local colleges might be good, but ask ahead.

My girls have grown through the figure-8 body harnesses - Ouitsi (sp?) and the like and two sizes of New Tribes.

Take a look at the ISC Gator biners for those smaller hands. Not that they should be doing anything that requires them to be opening it but..the standard sized carabiner looks a lot larger when it hovered in front of their dentals.

Hiking shoes or other off-road footwear. Court or tennis shoes barely make it and get a little shredded.
 
A full body harness is a good idea for small kids.
Petzl makes a good one (The one Jim mentioned I think)

Cleveland Ohio!! My old hometown!
 
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Also, any experiences with tree climbing in public parks?



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I always set up the climb like a work site, and act like I am supposed to be there. Whenever someone asks what I am doing, I tell them that I am inspecting the tree for the park.

It helps to hide the backpack full of beer from the general public too.


SZ
 
In florida we, family, have a great park - we go to the side that is use very little by the general public, yet close to the parking lot. We do not hid. we keep all PPE on and control the area, we have never had an issue.

YET in one park in the local area, i have had to hid from an officer.

It all depends on the activity in the park.

My grandkid wear helmets, bicycle one. long pants and hard sole shoes. We have water and snacks for them also.

You may be amazed as the people that stop and watch what you are doing and do ask questions.

Be descrete

jz
 
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Cleveland Ohio!! My old hometown!

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Me too, brother!

I have used the Petzl Wiz Kid but I'd go with the New Tribe with the side D's and all.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, any catalog companies that retail this stuff? Seems the regulation tree gear would be overbuilt, not to mention liable to be "borrowed" for a side-job.
How about belaying techniques?
Wait a minute, where on earth do you start?

Ryan.
 
I second...or third...maybe fourth the New Tribe for kids saddles! We have an 8 year old that can wear a regular "small" tree climbing saddle and I'm working on getting him off the ground this summer. I guess we are fortunate enough to have trees on our families land or near enough in the woods where no one can see us climbing that could raise an issue...but if someone did ask we are simply inspecting the tree for "Smiley bugs"....
 
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My grandkid wear helmets,

jz

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Grandkids??? damn Jz I had you figured as in your 20's!! You have grandkids? COOL!
 
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My grandkid wear helmets,

jz

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Grandkids??? damn Jz I had you figured as in your 20's!! You have grandkids? COOL!

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Me too ... probably because her handle is Jersey<u>girl</u>.
 
I bought two of these at REI:
Trango Junior
http://www.trango.com/prod.php?id=26
I've been very happy with it.

REI doesn't appear to sell it any more, but now have this:
C.A.M.P. USA Mickey Fast Harness
http://www.rei.com/product/767377

I got this at EMS:
Petzl Simba
http://en.petzl.com/petzl/SportProduits?Produit=479
I'm very pleased with it.

I never bought a Petzl Ouistiti because it doesn't have adjustable leg loops IIRC.
http://en.petzl.com/petzl/SportProduits?Produit=168

Of course, none of these have side D-rings, just a single central 2-loop anchor point.
 
Thanks for the product leads, the kids are moderately interested in T-ball and the like, but give them something to climb over and it'll keep them busy for hours on end.

My oldest is going on 4, and I wouldn't expect him to understand a friction hitch, or belay in general. As it is he barely understands the sensation of falling, or at least how it factors into the decision-making process... Would it work to belay him off of a hitch from my saddle? Or is tending their own hitch a benchmark for when a kid should be allowed up a tree?

And again, a few more questions...

Ryan.
 
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My oldest is going on 4, and I wouldn't expect him to understand a friction hitch, or belay in general. As it is he barely understands the sensation of falling, or at least how it factors into the decision-making process... Would it work to belay him off of a hitch from my saddle? Or is tending their own hitch a benchmark for when a kid should be allowed up a tree?

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I have a 5yo and a 7yo and had them up in a locust tree in our yard yesteday. I set them up with a 20-foot 4:1 MA using Petzl Twins, belayed by me on the ground with a GriGri on the trunk. That way, they had an easy time hoisting themselves, but they were totally protected.

A couple of years ago I set up a much shorter (7-8 feet) 3:1 that used a Petzl Traxion ratcheting pulley on their harness. As I recall, I hoisted them up, then at the top I had them release the cam and I lowered them back down. As it turns out, that was a terrible setup since my eldest put his hand in the wrong spot and got a finger under the spiked cam!! Ouch.

The 4:1 yesterday was a bit too much MA. I'd try 3:1 next time. Another change would be to be sure that the line tails straight down (along side the load lines), so that if they let go, they don't swing out of reach. That usually requires a redirect at grade if you're belaying off the trunk. It was good to belay off the trunk so I could walk away to take photos. I'll try to post them.
 
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Or is tending their own hitch a benchmark for when a kid should be allowed up a tree?

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I think that is a good benchmark. At 4, however, you should be able to haul him up on his own line with you climbing next to him. If you do that, you should lanyard him to your harness. I'd be very careful about the harness fit. A New Tribe will be too large for a 4 yo.
 
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