Sherrill SRT Tree Frog System

[chris_girard]

In talking with Paolo and listening to Tom D. speak I only use the SRT method for ascending now. Much more efficient and easier on the body.

I am going to start to use the Tree Frog Method and I saw on page 20 of Sherrill's recreational catalog an example of the setup.

What I don't understand is what the prusik hitch tied off from the handled ascender to the line below it is for? It doesn't appear to be a backup for anything that I can see. Any ideas on what I'm missing?

 

[Shawn]

Need pic, dont have the rec catalog. It is running from the upper ascender to the line below the same ascender?

 

[chris_girard]

Hi Shawn. Yes, it is running from the upper ascender to the same line below it, which connects to a biner on the saddle.

I'll see if I can find a pic.

 

[chris_girard]

Here's the setup

http://gear.sherrilltree.com/iwwida.pvx?;search_submit?comp=SHE&cat=RECP

 

[chris_girard]

I don't know if that worked.

http://gear.sherrilltree.com/iwwidb.pvx?;multi_item_submit

 

[chris_girard]

I know, the Sherrill page comes up blank. WTF?

Let's try the above attachment. Hope it is not too big.

 

[Shawn]

If you are referring to the connection I have highlighted, it is a way to adjust the length between the ascender and your saddle. Almost like a lanyard clipped to you and the ascender.

 

[chris_girard]

All that I can think of is that it is for adjusting the length of the connecting bridge for each individual, instead of having to mess with the double fishermans knot.

Any of you guys have the Tree Frog setup this way?

 

[chris_girard]

Thanks Shawn. I was writing my post as you were writing yours. I can see that now. Just wanted to make sure that that was what it was used for.

Thanks

 

[Shawn]

No problem. In response to your previous post, I come from a rock climbing background, so I use a sewn daisy chain hitched to my saddle as the link. Just clip the pocket with the right length, and i'm off. But I have seen this style lanyard used in person, and I kinda like it, just havent tried it yet. Seems liek something that could be constructed with extra rope and cord i have lying around. Might have to make one and try it later.

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

I'd like to see how the "krol" rope grab functions in that setup.

It appears to be more a walker type than a true frog system.

 

[Shawn]

I guess you would sit on the croll and the link to the upper ascender would be a "back up" to the croll. Too complicated for this guy, I just use a GriGri on my saddle, handled ascender with footstrap and link, and up i go. Added advantage of not having to switch over to come down, just remove handle.

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

It does look a little complicated. It could easily be cleaned up a little by eliminating the adjustabls and sewing in fixed webbing.

I agree, the gri gri and handled ascender is versatile, simple, up and down system in one. For short jaunts.

 

[Shawn]

Fixed webbing would definitely simplify it. Seems to me that the pantin is almost overkill, since youre already climbing with the other foot from the handle. But I havent used the setup, so I guess I cant really judge.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Yes, th hitch is a length adjuster.

If you build your own system you can guess at the lenght, lave some extra, and adjust it to th right length.

To start you want to hang on the rope from the chest ascender. Slide the upper ascender up the rope to where you can comfortably hang onto the handle. Measure the distance between the handle and the d oon youor harness. This is the approx. length of the tether.

The Pantin isn't an accesory. With the P you will walk up th rope using both legs. Without the P you'll do sit-stand motion which isn't as easy.

The stirrup tether needs to be adjustable too so that you can optimize your stride up the rope.

Without both tethers optimized you'll be going up the rope like a horse with hobbles. When you have the lengths tweaked to your stide you'll go up the rope with little more effort than walking stairs.

 

[Kevin]

I made one a few years ago Chris.
It's a backed up Kong ascender and attached to that is a long loop runner for my left foot.
A pantin on the right foot.
Use a separate (your regular)hitch to bail out on in a hurry installed on the rope below the ascender.
Riding the bosun on the GRCS is still easier on those hundred footers.

 

[chris_girard]

Thanks guys for all the tips. Very much appreciated.

Kevin, I agree about using the GRCS as an elevator and since my wife is my main ground worker I'll have her do it for me. She even says she doesn't mind cranking me up, but she hasn't done it yet!

 

[Stumper]

As has already been stated -that is just a length adjuster so that the system as sold can be optimized for various users. I really like the tree frog system- it works very well but I am going to make a criticism. Sherrill utilizes cordage on the Tree Frog that I believe was selected to meet ANSI strength standards. That is understandable- they are marketing it for working tree people but it serves to illustrate the problem with always following rules. To get what they "needed" strength wise they utilised a static rope that is extremely stiff and thus does not knot well. With the supplied cords one must monitor things carefully and re-dress the knots frequently because they creep. Had a 3/8ths polyester yacht braid been used the strength would not meet the ANSI 5400 lbs(3/8ths NE Sta-set is 4400 lb tensile) but the knots would be secure and the equipment would stow better..and it would still be cordage MUCH stronger than the level at which the toothed ascender would shear the rope. I made up a second Tree Frog type system for my other truck and utilized a Petzl Ascension (which is neither as strong nor as comfy as the CMI expedition) And 5/16ths sta-set. -I know that the rope is only 3000lb tensile....but If I suddenly put 3000 lbs of load on my ascending system I'm gonna have a whole lot more troubles than an underrated tether to my upper ascender. Safety rules are good but somtimes they become mindless, illogical and even dangerous-There is a much greater possibility of having the tether come untied with the as supplied Sherril system compared to breaking a slightly weaker but securely knotted substitute cordage.

 

[Shawn]

Good observation Stumper. I had not thought of that aspect of the system. Definitely brings up a very valid point.

 

[familytree]

i use the frog srt set up now and its pretty good, but i did bend the heck out of my delta link that attaches the croll ascender to the saddle on just the second ascent ever on it, it is supposed to be rated at 5g, i think my slings worked the bolt loose and once that broke free there was nothing stoping my weight from bending the link, since then i use a double locking carabiner to fasten my slings and my croll down, the downfall of using a croll is that if you dont have a fixed attachment point you have to create your own. i own a treemotion saddle and i was able to acheive a fixed attachment point by using the small dynama slings that most use for there microsenders on both of my side d rings, i then connected the croll and both slings together using the delta link, but like i said before, not a good fit because there is so much on that little link.

also, the croll is nice for taking a break during long ascents because it allows you to sit back and the croll will hold your weight closer to you than your hand ascenders will, it also makes for a seemless backup to the hand ascender but i still back the hand ascender up using a split tail and a vt knot just for peace of mind. ill try to take some pics of my set up for those of you out there using a treemotion and dont want to pay the 120 bucks for the crappy suspenders they are selling