TM Second bridge

ladybird

ladybird

New member
Location
Burlington, VT
Hey Folks,

I am sprucing up my Tree motion with a new bridge today and am interested in putting a second bridge on just for peace of mind. I am curious if folks have done anything inventive in that department or wouldn't mind posting pics of their bridge set ups? Trying to get an idea of the best way to go about it that results in the least amount of hassle once I'm in the tree. Thanks!
 
I think routine inspection and regular replacement (6-9 months) is the best way to go. Globe, the green rope for TM bridges, is fairly cheap by the foot. I've seen some climbers use NE's Maxim tech cordage as a sort of backup run with their bridge for extra peace of mind. I've gone back and forth on this idea in my head, and really just want to find a way to use a webbing bridge on my TM instead of rope. Lately I've worried less about it since talking it over with some knowledgable guys.

Ultimately, do whatever you need in order to free your mental energy to focus on work. Whatever that entails, I strongly encourage you to contact the manufacturers of gear your thinking about and ask questions. I think the better we understand the strengths and limitations of our gear, the better equipped we are to use it, making us more confident in both its possibilities for use and in choosing when to retire it. I hope this helps.
 
ladybird said:
Hey Folks,

I am sprucing up my Tree motion with a new bridge today and am interested in putting a second bridge on just for peace of mind. I am curious if folks have done anything inventive in that department or wouldn't mind posting pics of their bridge set ups? Trying to get an idea of the best way to go about it that results in the least amount of hassle once I'm in the tree. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Kate, I sort of lean with Crimsonking here. I've seen several climbers with a second bridge tied into the lower D rings with a scaffold hitch or an anchor hitch. Since my lanyard pretty much lives down in the lower D's, I've found it interferes with an otherwise clean design. Globe 3k is a triple braid and well spec'd for a bridge.

Do you see a pressure point from hardware that gives you pause?
 
Thanks, guys!

I think part of it was noting a number of people having back up bridges(and wondering the pros and cons of it-worried about an errant hand saw strike?) and also looking into the idea of having a second bridge for a second system or to lanyard into. I don't see any pressure points in the system that give me pause, it was more the clutter factor that was at play.
 
When I first started rocking the TM, the bend radius on the bridge freaked me out. I doubled the ring and that made the bend radius better to me mentally. I've since shortened up my bridge and switched over to a swivel. It no longer bothers me, but I'm super paranoid still about where my handsaw travels at all times when it's near my bridge.
 
I ended up with the same setup, Roxy- shorter bridge and a swivel.

Ladybird, using a swivel may help you declutter. I use the petzl large, so there is room for two systems and more. The swivel is nice because you can position on any side of the "v" created at your bridge without twisting the bridge. I also use it for a variety of other attachments depending on the situation. Post a request on treebay and you could find one for cheap to try before dropping $70-80 on a new one. I bought mine used over a year ago and haven't had to replace it yet.
 
I'll second the swivel for less clutter, and my personal fave is the RE Rotator L. It's the lowest profile swivel I know of that allows second attachment into the same eye without unweighting. You can always put your main system into the same eye the bridge runs through, leaving the second eye out front.

Maybe Mac has one you can fly for a day and see what you think. Between your TM lower D's, two eyes on a swivel, and the remaining bridge (either side of the swivel), you've a myriad of options.

Maybe, and I say this without presumption, this whole thing is an opportunity to focus hard on positioning for work, with protecting the bridge as a priority.(y)
 
I run two bridges on my TM with DMM small swivels on each, both are Globe 3k. Wouldn't want it any other way. One (main one)is adjustable with a CT roll n lock the other is single length and I use a Metolius micro to hold the second swivel out of the way when I'm not using it.

Reed Wortley
CTSP #01739
ISA CA #SO-6953A
 
ladybird said:
Thanks, guys!

...and wondering the pros and cons of it-worried about an errant hand saw strike?) and also looking into the idea of having a second bridge for a second system or to lanyard into....
Click to expand...

Simply tie-in twice when cutting. Rare to have lanyard and climbing system on the same bridge.

I have two bridges on my MRCS. One longer with a ring, one shorter with no ring for spar work with a choking SRT climbing sytem.

I like having two bridges for two climbing system for floating above storm-tipped trees. Two systems on one bridge sucked, frankly.
 
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