Tall Cottonwood = scary? Made to top!
- Thread starter ClimbingTN
- Start date
I don't use mine often, but when I'm working multiple firs side by side, it can be a huge time saver being able to traverse between trees without going all the way back down to the ground. Often I'll return to the original tree I ascended, switching it to a DRT setup so I don't have to take a huge swing to return.
moss
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Carlisle, Massachusetts, U.S.
The Hook can be tough to use in the upper crowns of cottonwoods and tuliptrees, the limb and branch diameters tend to be larger diameter than the Hook radius will fit until you're in the highest tops.
-AJ
-AJ
Matias
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Butte County
That's an excellent point, especially regarding a sparse tree like his.
moss
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Carlisle, Massachusetts, U.S.
Yes, for cottonwood species and tulips there tends to be distance between unions and not much small stuff to get a Hook locked on to.
-AJ
moss
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Carlisle, Massachusetts, U.S.
This beastly eastern cottonwood was 110’ with a massive spreading crown. It blew over in a wicked straightline storm 3 years ago. Used an in-tree throwline to advance in it. 50’ of 1.75mm ZingIt in a small harness pouch, 8 oz throwbag, worked great in an open crown like that.
Traversing DdRT with the tail of my rope from one top to another.
This climb was waaaay back in the day, 2009 ;-)
-AJ
Traversing DdRT with the tail of my rope from one top to another.
This climb was waaaay back in the day, 2009 ;-)
-AJ
ClimbingTN
Branched out member
- Location
- Columbia
DRT with a Blake’s Wow! You must have had a long rope. I had my test throw yesterday with about 10ft of my 150ft left on the ground. It was unusually hot about 80 last few days so I didn’t climb. Maybe another day.
moss
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Carlisle, Massachusetts, U.S.
Split-tail. 150’ rope.
moss
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Carlisle, Massachusetts, U.S.
No rope on the ground for that climb.
RogerM
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Louisville,KY USA
Another "old school" photo. This was a cottonwood I did in my 20's, We couldn't get our shitty bucket to it so I got told to climb it. This was a crane removal. I was expecting a bucket day, it threw me off my game a little, but it worked out. Not only was I climbing mrs, Arborwear wasn't even in business yet. I remember asking customer why remove it? the answer was they were tired of raking leaves. This removal was a real stepping stone in my career. Yes, I was nervous at first. got better after the first pick.
Mike H
Participating member
- Location
- Boulder County
Burrapeg
Been here a while
- Location
- Puget Sound
What is that lovely green rope on the right?
Mike H
Participating member
- Location
- Boulder County
I am on my lanyard while advancing my rope
Mike H
Participating member
- Location
- Boulder County
Green Snakebite is the name on the splice
Burrapeg
Been here a while
- Location
- Puget Sound
Thanks!
ClimbingTN
Branched out member
- Location
- Columbia
I read back through this thread and got some good tips. I tried the throw weight on the rope and the monkey fist today. I climbed branch by branch up a tulip poplar DRT/lanyard. It was a fun climb but, I wish the tree was bigger. It’s about 60-65 foot and top was getting too skinny. I also climbed my cottonwood the other day to about 50ft. I realized that it’s not strictly for fun but, I’m trying to challenge myself. My SRT TIP was at 55/60ft. The branch I’m on is at close to 50ft. If I swing around or climb the other side, I’ll get to the junction of multiple branches. You can get a sense of how big the tree is from the photo. What has me uneasy is that I’m 50ft up a massive tree, 15 to go and I don’t seem to have a place for my lanyard. I had a DRT on the back side of the tree even though I never weighted into it, other than on the ground. Basically, it acted as my lanyard. I did tend the slack but, 2 systems was a pain. It seems that my issue is not the height. I have ridden a crane over 120ft and climbed 70ft. I used 28ft ladders and manfifts my working career. If it feels safe…I don’t than issue with height…Yet! I know that I don’t have to climb and could give up but, the challenge is my motivator. I’m going to try again after the holidays. Craig
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Mick Dempsey
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- France
I was commenting on some ballsy work some kid (every one is a kid to me these days) in Australia was doing a while back.
I asked some dumbass question about something he did and he replied ‘I just trust the process’ meaning do it right, check procedures, think it through and execute it properly.
I thought it was a pretty good mantra, I say it to myself when I get a bit squirrelly in the stomach on the more challenging trees.
I asked some dumbass question about something he did and he replied ‘I just trust the process’ meaning do it right, check procedures, think it through and execute it properly.
I thought it was a pretty good mantra, I say it to myself when I get a bit squirrelly in the stomach on the more challenging trees.
Honestly Craig you have another 50ft to go for a nice TIP. Will take time. Best part of climbing is moving to the tips.
Treeaddict
Participating member
- Location
- Bel Air
Yup, and then you can start limb walking on some of those lower fatties! Pace yourself but push yourself also. Like you said, Craig, it’s about the challenge. Trees provide many challenges, for sure.
ClimbingTN
Branched out member
- Location
- Columbia
Made it to the last safe tie in tonight. Only took two years. I’ve been doing a lot of work climbing and more rec stuff. I helped at 5 comps last year and got numerous tips and tricks. I measured it at 90ft. This may be routine for some of y’all, but it was a satisfying accomplishment for me. I felt like the TIP was solid and tree not moving too much. If it was a hardwood or even a straight up conifer, I wouldn’t be uneasy before now. Thanks for the encouragement!
