making the switch to SRT...

[CutHighnLetFly]

ive been rec climbing all weekend with a rope wrench i just got (thank you S Laug!) and there are some "habits" i have working with DRT that just dont apply to SRT and because of the different styles involved with progressing on the line, i find myself with more slack in my line than im used to.
When climbing DRT, a lot of times i would be more or less pulling my self up cause im pulling on the working leg of the line. With SRT there is obviously only one leg going thru my system.
Did other people find this to be true when they first starting climbing SRT for more than just ascent?
And what do others to do advance their TIP if, once in the tree, you decide you would like to set it higher before working the tree?
I feel like there has to be a quicker way and it'll just hit me after awhile im sure but thought i would see what some of you have to say.

 

[oceans]

There are certain ways to keep slack out of the system, and it's a bit more easily done with mechanicals (some can self tend), but a good hitch is nothing to sneeze at.

The trick is to find the most comfortable way to advance up the line in any given situation. Lot's of guys wear a Pantin, but I've been going without toothed cams on my DB lines for a good while now. I'll use them on static lines, but daily production calls for a working system right off the bat rather than ascending and switching over to a working line.

In a free ascent, I'll run my lanyard over my shoulder and footlock the tail with both feet. You can sit down on your hitch between locks. When I want to control my body position while against a spar, I'll use the lanyard over the shoulder, and "fend off" with one foot while using the other foot to advance with a "single lock" (I'm not sure what that is really called, but I'll go with single lock for now). To do the single lock, you put a full round turn of the tail over your foot, but the tail has to cross itself on your side as it exits your foot. Easier to do than explain.

There are numerous tricks to advance your TIP, but my favorite is running a 'biner with a throwbag taped into it on the eye splice of my tail. I'll lanyard in and throw the tail of line to advance over another branch. After yarding the line to the point where your climbing system needs to move, you can disconnect it and send it through the crotch, or remove it from the line if there's a chance it would get stuck. A good rule of thumb is to capture either end to your saddle somehow to eliminate the possibility of losing your line. You can also use a web sling/'biner to create a super quick false crotch just the same way a rock climber would while lead climbing. You can do this if you want to improve your rope angle for a quick work station without yarding your tail over a crotch (or climbing through it).

I'd love for you to come down to the ISA-New England Chapter SRT Workshop in May. It's 2 days, loaded with the best information out so far, plenty of hands on climbing, and tons of gear donated by a wide variety of great sponsors. I'd also suggest to get the TCIA's 'Best Practices for SRT' manual, but it is given to you as part of your registration, so just come to the event and share with us all! It's gonna be awesome!

http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/showflat.php?Number=352226