Rec climbing

Thanks for all your advice guys. I'll try some lighter throwballs next time.
Just out of interest , i tried to climb the red creek fir here on Vancouver island last weekend. I just managed to get the first branch which was 110' above the ground. This left me in a tricky situation when i ascended to the first branch. I battled dangling for over an hour trying to advance my line to the next branch which was a fair distance away. I knew if i could get to the second branch then i could make it to the top. Next time i'll try and shoot higher from the ground , then i should be fine.
Otherwise a really impressive tree. Have you guys been out here ?
 
TOM! Why'd you tell! /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'm sure that shot was about 150', but I was about 20' up (and maybe about 40' away) from the base of the tree. I used a 1.75mm Zing-it with an 8oz. Harrison Rocket bag. I put a prusik/snap shackle trigger on the big shot and had that thing loaded ALL the way to the bottom.

And before you go thinking, "hey, that's still a heck of a shot," keep in mind that I tried shooting the big shot by hand maybe, ohhhh FIFTEEN SHOTS! I kept missing but always being so close that I thought it was worth another shot. Once I put the prusik/snap shackle on, it still took about 10 MORE shots.

The sad part...I didn't even climb the tree.

love
nick
 
Hi Gareth and others,

I would like to respectfully suggest that famous, noteable or largest trees should be off limits to recreational climbing (unless you have a darn good reason).

I would think that this would be obvious but have heard otherwise.

There are plenty of trees to climb. Don't encourage a "peak bagging" mentality. If rec climbers embrace that ethic I predict problems galore.

I have been looking at the impacts to trees that I have climbed recently and will be posting some thoughts and observations soon.

By the way I hit 110-130' with my big shot using a reel and kevlar fishing line and often shoot from up hill or from another tree that I can get into to gain height.

Scott
 
Hi Scott,
I see where you are coming from. Have mixed feelings. Almost feel you're a little too sensitive. I personally don't just go out and clock all the big ones. Most are off the beaten track , unheard of and often have not been climbed before. Is it wrong when i hear of the ultimate giant of a specific species as set myself a PERSONAL challenge not to "conquer" the tree but to physically / spiritually connect with tree and enjoy a respectful, ritual path into its domain. And then afterwards to share and exchange our experience with fellow climber friends who respect and appreciate our natural heritage. With the advent of rec climbing and associated axperiences will come an appreciation and public awareness of another dimension to a natural resource that was once used primarily for timber.
Am interested to hear from you on any prospective impacts that climbers have on the trees we climb.
Thanks
Gareth
 
I think one potentially major problem is in the teaching. Several 'schools' I've looked at in the past only teach DdRT. Some have an advanced SRT classes, but I'm not sure how popular they are with most rec climbers.

DdRT, without a false crotch or friction saver, is going to have a big impact on the tree's bark over the course of time.

Also, if enough rec climbers go off the beaten path, you end up with a beaten path.


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With the advent of rec climbing and associated axperiences will come an appreciation and public awareness of another dimension to a natural resource that was once used primarily for timber.

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Gareth, you make a good point, and I agree with your philosophy, but I think ultimately damage will be done. And I'm not sure how it can be contained or minimized.

Jim
 
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