If you have a bum elbow, skip the two handled ascender and for less money get something way better. The HASS knee ascender. It is as simple as it gets.
SRT Setup
- Thread starter Jsin
- Start date
If you have a bum elbow, skip the two handled ascender and for less money get something way better. The HASS knee ascender. It is as simple as it gets.
macswan
Been here a while
- Location
- Champlain Valley, VT
I second that, but spell it HAAS when you look it up.
I also second the TCIA SRT best practices, great resource
I also second the TCIA SRT best practices, great resource
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CutHighnLetFly
Been here a while
- Location
- Cape Cod, MA
thank you gents for your input on that. was torn between CMI two hand ascender and the HAAS. most ascents and work situations wind up being short bursts, so in my mind, having never used a haas or the hand ascender, the hand ascender just seemed like a quicker on and off.
I have been lurking around here for quite a while and have not had much to add to a conversation, but I believe that some of my recent experiences may add something to this discussion. Let me preface by saying that I am the only climber in my company that uses SRT for access or work positioning. I use multiple systems and set ups for different tasks and have a lot of $ invested in equipment. Recently we have hired some new guys who are showing some promise and I have been asked to help them learn SRT and this is what I have come up with to keep equipment costs low, learning curve shallow, and the margin of safety high.
So, I picked this idea up from a guy at a climbing competition in DC; if I could remember his name I would love to give him credit, so if this sounds familiar speak up. Anyway, the system works with just about any climbing line (Spliced end preferred), hitch climber, I&I, foot ascender, and either a hand ascender and foot loop or a HAAS.
1. isolate a throwline
2. tie alpine butterfly about 2 feet away from spliced end (a screw link can be used here to avoid pulling the entire tail down through the knot)
3. pull tail of climbing line down through butterfly
4. take the biner that usually connects your spliced eye to your hitch climber and clip it into the spliced end and then around the standing part of the line below the butterfly
5. you have now created a cinched canopy anchor that you can send up to the TIP (if you want to add a bit of security you can send a second line or throw line up with the butterfly to make it ground retrievable)
6. tie your normal hitch on the standing part of the line and clip it to your hitch climber as you normally would. Your hitch climber will tend slack and advance the hitch. your hitch will be primary life support
7.set your hand ascender above your hitch with your foot loop attached and adjusted or your HAAS below
you can back up your hitch with a loop runner to your hand ascender if you want.
Your lanyard can be taken over the opposite shoulder and clipped into the top hole of the hitch climber to tend the system.
At this point you have a fully functioning SRT ascent system using what you probably already have. once you have ascended to you TIP you just unclip the spliced eye biner and clip it into your hitch climber and you are back on Ddrt. If you used a screw link you can undo it and untie the butterfly otherwise it will just follow you around. If it bothers you, you can lanyard in and untie it.
I have found this system to be a good stepping stone for those interested in SRT but unwilling to jump in with both feet. This system eliminates the dangerous change over found with all mechanical systems. It allows for the use of almost any climbing line, and eliminates the need for in depth knowledge that would be required for setting a basal anchor.
Let me know what you guys think.
So, I picked this idea up from a guy at a climbing competition in DC; if I could remember his name I would love to give him credit, so if this sounds familiar speak up. Anyway, the system works with just about any climbing line (Spliced end preferred), hitch climber, I&I, foot ascender, and either a hand ascender and foot loop or a HAAS.
1. isolate a throwline
2. tie alpine butterfly about 2 feet away from spliced end (a screw link can be used here to avoid pulling the entire tail down through the knot)
3. pull tail of climbing line down through butterfly
4. take the biner that usually connects your spliced eye to your hitch climber and clip it into the spliced end and then around the standing part of the line below the butterfly
5. you have now created a cinched canopy anchor that you can send up to the TIP (if you want to add a bit of security you can send a second line or throw line up with the butterfly to make it ground retrievable)
6. tie your normal hitch on the standing part of the line and clip it to your hitch climber as you normally would. Your hitch climber will tend slack and advance the hitch. your hitch will be primary life support
7.set your hand ascender above your hitch with your foot loop attached and adjusted or your HAAS below
you can back up your hitch with a loop runner to your hand ascender if you want.
Your lanyard can be taken over the opposite shoulder and clipped into the top hole of the hitch climber to tend the system.
At this point you have a fully functioning SRT ascent system using what you probably already have. once you have ascended to you TIP you just unclip the spliced eye biner and clip it into your hitch climber and you are back on Ddrt. If you used a screw link you can undo it and untie the butterfly otherwise it will just follow you around. If it bothers you, you can lanyard in and untie it.
I have found this system to be a good stepping stone for those interested in SRT but unwilling to jump in with both feet. This system eliminates the dangerous change over found with all mechanical systems. It allows for the use of almost any climbing line, and eliminates the need for in depth knowledge that would be required for setting a basal anchor.
Let me know what you guys think.
Treezybreez
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Lancaster, SC
My vote would be for the Rope Walker System in combination with a Rope Wrench. It is Fast, easy on the body and quick to change over from assent to descent.
macswan
Been here a while
- Location
- Champlain Valley, VT
I replaced the hand ascender with the HAAS. But its the same thing, I have two ascenders below the friction device instead of one above, one below. So even if ascenders did tear the rope to the point of failure (which I see as unbloodylikely), it would be ONLY below my attachment point instead of above as well. In theory.
I like having the hand ascender with me while I'm climbing SRT. For tricky limb walk returns I set it on the rope and throw a revolver in the bottom attachment hole and use it as an ad hoc RADS system for MA. The same set up works equally well for hauling things up into the tree from the ground just set the hand ascender above you on the line, clip your tail into the revolver and pull on the leg going to your SRT device instead of the standing part of the line. this allows you to use your back and shoulders on long hauls instead of just your arms. It is just a nice piece of kit to have on you while working SRT, and probably the reason I haven't switched to the HAAS, which I think is superior in most respects.
Treetopflyer
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Coastal N.J
The rope wrench is the most essential tool for SRT for a working arborist by far in my experiences .. You will almost definitely need to pair this with foot ascender for easiest canopy navigation. Throw a Haas in for getting up to the canopy and you got a slick and light system for quick deployment and easy stowage.
Rope Wrench, Friction Hitch, HAAS, Foot Ascender, and some way to advance it all. I like a simple shoulder harness, basically just a strap w/ a biner. Off ya go.
dogwood
New member
- Location
- Garner, NC
I agree with the above comments. My setup is similar, however I use a HitchHiker instead of the Wrench. I also use a SAKA, a self advancing knee ascender, which functions just like the HAAS, only I put it together myself ( credit to Yoyoman for that idea, it's freakin' awesome!) The HitchHiker is not as easy to attach mid-line, so I'd say the advantage there goes to the RopeWrench. In my system , the tethers for the HitchHiker and the SAKA are separate, and both incorporate bungee cord, which makes for a very slick operating system.
Treetopflyer
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Coastal N.J
Lanyard over the shoulder connected to top hole of hitch climber pulley . Making sure slack is nonexisting bringing up to chest ..wrench over vt connected to dmm rhino the best biner i have found for center connection on hitch climber..I set up with legs of hitch cord on outside hugging RW..the rhino is legit because it keeps everything from cross loading ..cordage may slip over horn hitch climber pulley cannot ..I cant speak for other brands because I find them obsolete compared to hitch climber just by design and looks alone. Until they come out with four connection points ..this is what I connect to ring on my rope bridge ..HAAS bringing up the rear on bottom hole of hitch climber pulley or SAKA.or what ever you like ..old pantin on a bungee with foot loop.. It doesn't matter as long as its under friction hitch..makes more sense to me ..especially in real brushy trees...hands are free to climb rope and maneuver branches while feet in ascender advance body and system..once in canopy with branches to stand on ..unclip lanyard from top hole and put to work ..unclip knee ascender wrap it up for ditty bag or clip on back of saddle ..its small enough for me to keep in tree ..I used to send down ascentree hand ascender which is now for sale ! I also keep a short loop runner to choke RW to tend slack with loop over hand while I climb rope for shorter ascents in combo with foot ascender which I keep on boot throughout climbs ..keep it light and stay tight !
- Location
- colorado
Wow what grate advice I can't wait to start srting
Treetopflyer
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Coastal N.J
Go with swing dude chest harness instead of lanyard over shoulder ... Gotta live and love evolution!
TimBr
Official Well Known Greeter
- Location
- Northern Virginia
Regarding BEH2202's system outlined in post #24 (My handheld computer's software makes it tough to respond with a quote): My only problem with it is that it does not utilize any type of device that allows the sharing of friction with the hitch. What this means to me is that the person using the system has no way to come back down at all, prior to reaching the cinched tie-in point.
If they try to come back down before that, their hitch will bind up tight. It is the reason that Kevin Bingham invented the Rope Wrench in the first place.
I have had occassions where some piece of gear got hung up on a branch below me while I was on the way up, and I've needed to be able to drop back down for a minute in order to get myself free from it. I don't like the idea of not having that option available to the climber.
The Rope Wrench is a fairly inexpensive device if you put your own stiff tether together.
The Hitch Hiker is nice, too. If a guy continues to climb at all, it is my belief that he would never regret either purchase.
I've been using both at the same time on two different ropes when I climb, for awhile now, and I still can't make up my mind which one I like better. They are both great devices.
Just my two cents worth. Thanks for listening.
Tim
If they try to come back down before that, their hitch will bind up tight. It is the reason that Kevin Bingham invented the Rope Wrench in the first place.
I have had occassions where some piece of gear got hung up on a branch below me while I was on the way up, and I've needed to be able to drop back down for a minute in order to get myself free from it. I don't like the idea of not having that option available to the climber.
The Rope Wrench is a fairly inexpensive device if you put your own stiff tether together.
The Hitch Hiker is nice, too. If a guy continues to climb at all, it is my belief that he would never regret either purchase.
I've been using both at the same time on two different ropes when I climb, for awhile now, and I still can't make up my mind which one I like better. They are both great devices.
Just my two cents worth. Thanks for listening.
Tim
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Treetopflyer
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Coastal N.J
This wouldn't apply to you Tim being as your utilizing RW and HH. Someone without those devices could run a prussik with a ring and run tail back up to it through a biner and then on descent the load sharing would create acceptable performance for descent. Taylor Hamel demonstrates this well around 2 min 30 in this vid.
TimBr
Official Well Known Greeter
- Location
- Northern Virginia
Hey, Treetopflyer! Thanks so much for posting that really cool video. Pretty cosmic. Sometimes I can be a pretty slow thinker, and that's one of those videos I'd need to watch a few times before I felt I had a really strong understanding of what was going on.
It is nice to see something that is so versatile get made out of such relatively simple components.
I'll have to save his video channel for future lessons. Thanks again.
Tim
Treetopflyer
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Coastal N.J
For sure.
Tim there's another vid DSMC posted in another thread I can't think of where there showing French climbers I think useing prussiks stacked like that for working trees stationary rope style.
Alejandro Concolor
New member
- Location
- SB Mtns
This is an old thread.. so sorry for revitalizing.
But with srt setups, if your pulled up your hitch climber with either neck tether, chest, or hand tether, you remove it to descend, yes? Now, does this mean that if you missed a limb or spotted a hanger, that you must reconnect that pulley/hitch advancer every time?
But with srt setups, if your pulled up your hitch climber with either neck tether, chest, or hand tether, you remove it to descend, yes? Now, does this mean that if you missed a limb or spotted a hanger, that you must reconnect that pulley/hitch advancer every time?
Richard Mumford-yoyoman
Been here a while
- Location
- Atlanta GA
On short ascent, I'll use a hand to tend the hitch, more than about 10' I'm back to my rope walking and tending thingy.
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