Tree climbing with children?

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patrik1982

Hello, this is my first post!

I've been lurking here for some time but now think I need your advice.

Some background:
I'm a 32 year old Swedish guy. Started my tree climbing interest as a geocacher but soon discovered that climbing trees in fun even outside the geocaching context :)
I bought a Petzl Avao, took a climbing course, and began by using the RADS technique for about a year but quite recently started using the VT/hitchclimber setup which I enjoy very much - incredibly flexibility once in the canopy. I also began splicing rope a few weeks ago (tachyon and ocean polyester 8mm).

Now, the thing is: my son (soon to be 3 yrs) really wants to join daddy in the trees.

How do we do this safely?
What equipment/setup do you guys recommend?

New Tribe has a kids tree climbing harness, but they are (as far as I know) not readily availably here in Europe so I would rather go in another direction. I'm considering Edelrid Fraggle or DMM Tomkitten (my DMM experience is good...).

And, when the harness is bought, how do I rig things safely? And what equipment do I need?
I have no experience in this and have a really hard time finding any info in the web...
 
I have two boys, now ages 5 and 6, but they started climbing with me two years ago as 3 and 4. I bought two rock climbing full body harnesses for them (I think by CAMP), and I set up a regular system for each of them just as if it was for me: friction saver, full hitchclimber setup with hitch cord, lanyard, helmet, spliced rope, etc.

Then I go up and setup a tree boat or portaledge, take a bucket of snacks and drinks up, then haul them up via the tail of their ropes (nice 3:1), and we lounge and scramble around. They have been well taught the concept of a friction hitch, how to go up and down, lanyarding in and out, and emergency procedures. I tie knots below them every 10 feet or so as they r moving around as a backup, but usually im no more than a few feet away.

I will say, do NOT buy the yellow and red CAMP harness, it is crap. Totally junk buckles, hate the design. The tomkitten looks good, basically its a Petzl Simba but by DMM. The petal Simba is awesome, just bought some of those for my rappelling instruction programs at work. Singing rock also makes one, as do a few other brands.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss things more in depth, or this thread is fine as well.
 
I'd also recommend the NewTribe Kid's soft side D saddle ($129.00). The NewTribe kid's Twist is also a good saddle ($109.00). It has a pretty wide range of adjustment, but there's a trick to that. I've always been satisfied with their products and service.
 
Agreed, New Tribe makes some great stuff.

The only thing I will say is that for a kid that young (3 years), you want a full body harness. At that age, they don't have the necessary upper body strength to keep themselves upright in an awkward situation, and also don't have well developed enough hip structure to guarantee they wont slip out of a sit harness if they invert.

Ill run my boys in full bodies until they limit out the weight rating on the harness, at that point Ill look at sit harnesses for them. Its just not worth the risk IMO...
 
Shawn said:
Agreed, New Tribe makes some great stuff.

The only thing I will say is that for a kid that young (3 years), you want a full body harness. At that age, they don't have the necessary upper body strength to keep themselves upright in an awkward situation, and also don't have well developed enough hip structure to guarantee they wont slip out of a sit harness if they invert.

Ill run my boys in full bodies until they limit out the weight rating on the harness, at that point Ill look at sit harnesses for them. Its just not worth the risk IMO...
Click to expand...
Oh you are right about the three year old little tykes. Definitely full body harness!
 
I have a singing rock full body harness for my four yr old and a new tribe kids(it's red) don't remember the name. For my eight yr old. First kid started in the full body, switched him to the NT when he was six. What Shawn said about upper body and hips.

I too just set up a hitch climber or similar system, and help them climb up. Now my eight yr old is ascending srt solo. They catch on fast.
 
Shawn said:
Agreed, New Tribe makes some great stuff.

The only thing I will say is that for a kid that young (3 years), you want a full body harness. At that age, they don't have the necessary upper body strength to keep themselves upright in an awkward situation, and also don't have well developed enough hip structure to guarantee they wont slip out of a sit harness if they invert.

Ill run my boys in full bodies until they limit out the weight rating on the harness, at that point Ill look at sit harnesses for them. Its just not worth the risk IMO...
Click to expand...

Ok, full body it is then. I will probably end upp buying DMM Tomkitten, my experience is that DMM makes high quality gear.

Our very first "climbs" will problably just consist of me raising him a few feet of the ground, like a swing - just to make him comfortable hanging in the harness.

But how about climbing techniques for/with the children?
Can a child that young really handle a hitchclimber setup?
If I rig a trad/hitchclimber system - is there a simple way for me to keep him safe? To control his descents?

Or should I simply use a climbing wall setup, belying with a dynamic rope? (My gut instinct tells me the tree branches could be dangerous in this scenario)
 
My 4yr old wears a kids twist (new tribe) with a chest harness made with straps from a car seat that maxed it's year limit. I put the button on the back and the chest clip in the front. Easy on and off.
 
Now my soon-to-be-three-years-old son has made his tree climbing debut.
He seems to like it!
 

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Looks Like fun. Is that a Eldredge fragile?

I almost bought one today.


I've been using the bdb swing
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Yup, it's an Edelrid Fraggle II, size XS. There's also an XXS size available but it was too small.
Seems to be working just fine, he says it's comfortable to wear and I feel fully confident when he's hanging in it.

I rigged a hitchclimber and a Distel hitch (Tachyon/Armor Prus 8mm).
I noticed two things:
1. Due to his low weight, the hitch can sometimes slip. I will experiment with other cord/hitch to see if this can be remedied.
2. When hanging, he instinctively wants to grab the rope and often end up grabbing the hitch which, of course, causes him to go down. One has to be careful to avoid uncontrolled descents.
 
Thats great! They have so much fun up in the tree. I want to teach both of mine to start limbwalking this year.

As for him grabbing hitch, try putting an extension between harness and hitchclimber (short sling or a dogbone). Also, try tying stopper knots every ten or so feet under the HC.
 
yes the bdb is holding up the swing. Not needed though a knot and caribiner would wrk fine.

I think the only size fraggle, mountain equipment coop near here has is the xXs. I will have to check the fit.
 
If just you could get a chainsaw into their little hands... I'd love to try that myself but I'm a bit concerned about the labour laws in Australia.

I do feel they would be good for pruning the small branch tips, with a little poking from a stick to get them out there.
 
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