reaction time

[klimbinfool]

I forgot about this incident that happend to a friend of mine about a year ago. He is a very experienced climber, but it goes to show that when we become complacent with what we do, we can forget vital safty rules.
He was topping out a smaller tree around fifty feet up.After facing it off, he put in his back cut. All was going well except for one thing, he left his tie in at the top of the tree.As the top was falling, his mind was racing. Should I try to disconnect? or try to hold the Machard Tresse and let it run. It was to late to do either, the top was headed down so he grabbed the Machard, wich he lost controll of and ended up just hanging on to the tree.He told me latter, that lucky for him the Machard failed and the top slowly skidded to a halt to the ground. I told him, that the study I had read on the Machard was that its tendency was to tighten up and release under heavy loads untill the object finally stops.Lucky for him this took some of the shock load out of the line and him as well.He was ok,was just a little sore.
I've been asked if I leave my tie in while making a face cut, and my answer was always no! The fear of forgetting my tie in, no matter how long I'm in my spurrs, is not a option.Theres other techniques to take the load off your feet without putting yourself in jepordy.

Greg

 

[Babberney]

Boy, does this ring a bell. Just recently, I was doing the same thing. Luckily, I didn't completely finish my back cut before I caught it, but it was a close call. Another reason to have competent ground help to notice this sort of thing wehn we have one of those mental mishaps.

keith

 

[klimbinfool]

that is very true Babberney.I've had some of those days myself. I remember doing some private work as a groundman The climber was taking out a ponderosa top about five hundred pounds. He put his flipline around the hall back line wich was attached to the speed line.Only this time there wasn't going too be any controll."Let it run allthe way down the speed line , he says".He started to make his back cut, when I cought the flipline.when he finnally cought me flailing my arms, and what I was yelling about, I think he just about took a dump in his pants.It would have slammed him so hard against the trunk , who knows what might have happend.Later he said , "I guess thats why I pay you 20.00 and hour as a ground man. My thought was, I 'm just glad I caught it.
Greg

 

[MrPez]

I guess everyone with a few years experience under their belt has stories like this to tell - I know I have! If I am going to leave my tie in point in the top whilst facing it out, I always notify a groundman of my intention and tell him to pull my rope if I go too far before taking out my anchor. Its not a technique to use without good reason, but does have its place, especially when handling a big saw.

When your harness becomes your armchair and working in trees becomes second nature, old mother trouble is waiting to strike! Always double check before placing a back cut.

 

[frans]

I learned to climb from a "good ol boy" 6' 8" tall and 295 lbs. He taught me to always climb to the top of every tree and handle every piece. It was not until later I learned I could top out big pieces and tops.
I think if you are in a hurry you might want to rope out a big top. Being in a hurry might not be the best reason to do this.
I think tree work has certain areas that are more dangerous than others. For example:
climbing ladders
roping out or felling tops
I try to understand where these more high risk tasks are and adjust my "spidey sense" accordingly.

frans