New to the forum, new to trees

@Neill Glad I'm not the only one to find that little strap hard to hold, and the action of releasing certainly seems like it would put stress on the fingers. I am not ready to start cutting a brand new Big Shot but "Rope grab" in this context jogged a memory. I think I'll have to try misfit's configuration. Hopefully I can find a cheaper but equally effective progress capture, as I own a Micro Traxion but swapping it back and forth or forgetting to bring it could get annoying.
 
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I climbed yesterday. I chose a maple in beautiful fall color rather than a taller tree and aimed for a TIP only about 40 feet up. I got it on my third try with the Big Shot and I am happy with that as it was my third shot ever. I draped the line through two trees beyond but I was warned of that, prepared with a second line, and used double bagging for the first time too. I did nothing more than climb up with toothed ascenders and rappel back down, just enjoying being aloft in a beautiful place.

I would like to try alternate lanyard climbing again but not unless I get a saddle or at least make a bosun's chair. I think I'll still be able to do a lot with the newfound ability to place a line high—untested but my overshoot was with a 14oz bag, 1/8" polypro, and hand release.

I am again thinking about climbing the tree structure rather than the rope. If I asked about that before I cannot find it. With a high static top rope and care to avoid slack and pendulums it seems like it would be safe but of course I don't know what I don't know. What are your thoughts about this, using a configuration as below? (That's not my photo but I have the same devices. I would add separation between the two.)

154580.jpg
 
Webfoot said:
@Neill Glad I'm not the only one to find that little strap hard to hold, and the action of releasing certainly seems like it would put stress on the fingers. I am not ready to start cutting a brand new Big Shot but "Rope grab" in this context jogged a memory. I think I'll have to try misfit's configuration. Hopefully I can find a cheaper but equally effective progress capture, as I own a Micro Traxion but swapping it back and forth or forgetting to bring it could get annoying.
Click to expand...

I use a lighter/thinner latex tubing spec for my big shot setups. I can shoot up into the 130' range with a 10 oz bag. Easier to pull down than the stock Big Shot tubing.

Even so, a trigger release makes shooting so accurate, hand pulling can't compare.

Tubing spec: Natural colored latex, 5/8" OD, 1/8" wall thickness

Big Shot head, 3 piece custom pole, total 10' length

For this sequence the slings are pulled about 9.5' and fired with a Wichard jib release shackle:


-AJ
 
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Webfoot said:
I climbed yesterday. I chose a maple in beautiful fall color rather than a taller tree and aimed for a TIP only about 40 feet up. I got it on my third try with the Big Shot and I am happy with that as it was my third shot ever. I draped the line through two trees beyond but I was warned of that, prepared with a second line, and used double bagging for the first time too. I did nothing more than climb up with toothed ascenders and rappel back down, just enjoying being aloft in a beautiful place.

I would like to try alternate lanyard climbing again but not unless I get a saddle or at least make a bosun's chair. I think I'll still be able to do a lot with the newfound ability to place a line high—untested but my overshoot was with a 14oz bag, 1/8" polypro, and hand release.

I am again thinking about climbing the tree structure rather than the rope. If I asked about that before I cannot find it. With a high static top rope and care to avoid slack and pendulums it seems like it would be safe but of course I don't know what I don't know. What are your thoughts about this, using a configuration as below? (That's not my photo but I have the same devices. I would add separation between the two.)

View attachment 96145
Click to expand...
Look into DIY friction devices.

The original Rope Wrench (after the box wrench) was a piece of wood with a hole for the rope and a soft tether.

I started on a wooden 'wrench'.

Just isn't midline attachable. No big deal at a starter/ recreational level.
 
Matias said:
I still think learning to advance your TIP from in the tree is the better way for rec climbing, especially if you go alone.
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Why especially if alone? I want to do this but I need a saddle and I cannot afford one yet. I chose the Big Shot as a less expensive stopgap.
 
Webfoot said:
Why especially if alone? I want to do this but I need a saddle and I cannot afford one yet. I chose the Big Shot as a less expensive stopgap.
Click to expand...
I understand that line of thinking. I also started with a $60 fall arrest harness. You using a rock climbing harness, or what?

In any case, it may be less comfy while working it out, but I assure you that you can advance your TIP. If you are alone, setting lines in hard to see places can be especially dangerous, so if something isn't perfect, you may fall a few feet, which may not see you decking, but hitting a sharp stub or a branch the wrong way could leave you injured enough that you may wish you had help. nothing is certain, but minimizing the risk of having to drive yourself with an impaled/broken right foot is worth taking your time.

I seldom shoot for an initial TIP that isn't obviously bomber, and just advance it from up there to something I can set up really perfectly.
 
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Webfoot said:
You using a rock climbing harness, or what?
Click to expand...
Yes. I knew it would suck for hanging around a lot but it was worse than expected as I was comically slow attempting alternating lanyards. I decided I should wait until I had something more appropriate so that I did not come to hate the process.

I would like to find something relatively inexpensive, comfortable, and low bulk. Pick two, right? There are some marketed to "saddle hunters" that appear to be a lot lighter, and they're supposedly comfortable, but if they don't actually work it would still be a waste of money. Are you familiar with any of these?
 
Webfoot said:
Yes. I knew it would suck for hanging around a lot but it was worse than expected as I was comically slow attempting alternating lanyards. I decided I should wait until I had something more appropriate so that I did not come to hate the process.

I would like to find something relatively inexpensive, comfortable, and low bulk. Pick two, right? There are some marketed to "saddle hunters" that appear to be a lot lighter, and they're supposedly comfortable, but if they don't actually work it would still be a waste of money. Are you familiar with any of these?
Click to expand...
I have been tempted, but have not tried one for the same reason. I sucked it up, for reasons, and just did it until the "fall indicator" pullout strands did pull out, and it said don't use this harness if you can read this. I hadn't fallen, and didn't understand what had happened, so I called an old friend who used to wash silos and stuff, and he said it's because those harnesses aren't for climbing in, and I should get the right harness. A purpose built tree climbing harness will be more comfortable for sure, and anything less will be getting worn out in a way it wasn't designed for. I have one I'll give you, I'll PM you.
 
Webfoot said:
Yes. I knew it would suck for hanging around a lot but it was worse than expected as I was comically slow attempting alternating lanyards. I decided I should wait until I had something more appropriate so that I did not come to hate the process.

I would like to find something relatively inexpensive, comfortable, and low bulk. Pick two, right? There are some marketed to "saddle hunters" that appear to be a lot lighter, and they're supposedly comfortable, but if they don't actually work it would still be a waste of money. Are you familiar with any of these?
Click to expand...
Don’t go with a saddlehunter saddle they are designed for sitting for extended periods, not easy to climb in. They are similar to the older arborist saddles, butt straps instead of leg loops, hip crushers.
 
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