SRT Training

rockettree

rockettree

Participating member
Location
Boulder, CO!
I'm setting up an SRWP training day at work and I'd like to ask for your help if you'll lend it. If anybody would like to share any tips, tricks, basics that you feel would help climbers new to the technique it would be greatly appreciated.

It will be based on the TCIA SRT best practices book.

Thanks in advance.
 
How in depth are you planning on going? I just did what turned into an "intro to srwp" at work the other day. I definitely had plans to go much further into how to work a tree, and getting people using systems. But it didn't turn out that way. I had two other climbers, my boss and a ground guy, my boss has ascended SRT a few times. But beyond seeing me at work and wondering what the hell I was doing. The other guys had very little comprehension of the systems. Beyond the
 
I'm going to keep it fairly simple, call it an intro. I'd also like to get the guys climbing a bit. I was just fishing for any interesting bits of info you guys might like to share. I know many of you have been climbing SRT for a long time and a few of you are pioneers so I thought I'd consult the oracle.
 
I like to demonstrate the configuration similarities and differences. If you start with a dynamic doubled rope system, you can demonstrate how the rope moves while positioning and most climbers understand that. Point out that the anchor (standing end) goes wherever the climber goes. Then, to demonstrate the key difference, you simply disconnect the standing end from the dynamic system and anchor it off somewhere else, making it a static system.

Build it from there, but the key thing is to show the benefits and drawbacks of BOTH systems;
1:1 or 2:1 / efficiency or mechanical advantage
static or dynamic / constant friction or varied friction
remote anchor or bridge anchor / non-retrievable or retrievable

In my opinion, vectors is also a huge component of a static work positioning system. This is for more advanced climbers that will actually employ a static system for maximum benefit. It is also where static configuration really pays off to allow bolstering features of a tree's structure together. You can demonstrate the angles of deflection and the increase or decrease of the load, while simultaneously showing where the vector will point and how it may actually change as the climber progresses.

Best of luck with your workshop, rockettree!
 
I like the idea of showing the two systems side by side, I'll definitely incorporate that.

I think a basic knowledge of forces and vector components is a must and I will be covering that as well.

Thanks
 
macswan said:
Yeah, Talking about forces at anchor points is a good thing to cover. So many DdRT climbers are stuck on the "doubling forces with base anchors" thing
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...which isn't really true, or at least, it doesn't account for all the factors at play.
 
Again, a good comparison doubled vs single. Friction in the crotch(es) counts for a lot and depending on the cicumstance it can make the forces applied to the anchor very similar.
 
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Not intended as an assist, just to add to the conversation. I think the concepts either get picked up quickly, or they take considerable time and repetition before the merits are understood, and when to pull them out of the toolbox. I'm still learning about the merits of all sorts of systems (there are SO many out there), never mind our typical SRT DdRT schtuff.
 
Good point oceans. It's good to remember that it's just another tool and it doesn't fit every situation, especially as you first learn. I hope I can save my coworkers some time and frustration with this reminder.
 
oceans said:
...which isn't really true, or at least, it doesn't account for all the factors at play.
Click to expand...

It is not so much the force doubles, although it does change. The biggest difference I like to point it is the location change of your anchor point if using a base tie.
 
SRWP is a tool among many, yet I find it's my go-to for well over 90% of my work. Of course that's just based on tree type and work specifications (lots of pruning), but I more often have to remember the DdRT tricks when they apply.
 
Tony said:
It is not so much the force doubles, although it does change. The biggest difference I like to point it is the location change of your anchor point if using a base tie.
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Yes, and do not cut away like mad without full awareness of the location of the standing end. If a remote option exists (a nearby tree...), it may be a good idea, in fact, it may even improve the vector and resulting force at the PSP.
 
Rope Choice is important as well. Static set ups seem to be more "finicky" in my experience. As in the "right" rope makes all the difference.
 
Tony said:
Rope Choice is important as well. Static set ups seem to be more "finicky" in my experience. As in the "right" rope makes all the difference.
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Yupper! One must have a quiver of nylon these days.:)
 
I think you learn what to expect in certain tree types and varying heights. Also, the number of redirects you may plan...it all comes together. Two or three different ropes can make up for numerous options.
 
I always used to start with saying that I climbed SRT as a rock climber. Thinking about it. Rock climbing was many different techniques of SRT and sometimes DRT. Sometimes we would too rope belay, sometime we would lead climb. Sometime we would lower. Sometime we would twin line so we could maintain two straight lines rather than one zig zag. Mostly we used only one single line.

Then I used to say in my presentations. "I went to tree climbing and I became a ddrt climber." But the truth is I came to tree climbing and remained an SRT climber.
Many climbers are completely unaware that they are already SRT climbers.
 
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