Tree Climbing

Shawn Welch

Shawn Welch

Location
South Hills
Howdy all. I am completely new to climbing. I have purchased a harness, 3 carabiners, a figure 8, 150' of dry static 10mm rope, and some utility rope for my prusiks. My main goal is to climb trees for recreation and to cut them down and some small scale rappelling with my daughters. My question is what additional equipment (if any) do I need to perform the fore mentioned activities and what is the best way to climb a tree (rope configuration, knots, etc.). Thanks for your time!
Shawn.
 
Shawn Welch said:
Howdy all. I am completely new to climbing. I have purchased a harness, 3 carabiners, a figure 8, 150' of dry static 10mm rope, and some utility rope for my prusiks. My main goal is to climb trees for recreation and to cut them down and some small scale rappelling with my daughters. My question is what additional equipment (if any) do I need to perform the fore mentioned activities and what is the best way to climb a tree (rope configuration, knots, etc.). Thanks for your time!
Shawn.
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Shawn my best advice is browse through this site and the archives and you'll unlock answers to lots of your questions. Just searching whatever specific problem your trying to solve at any point in time. Like best way to climb a tree that can depend on soo many variables..ropes ,knots configurations its all in here..good luck, stay safe low and slow with anything new, and keep your lines tight.
 
I highly recommend picking up the Tree Climber's Companion by Jeff Jepson, it covers all the basic tree climbing technique, gear and knots. However it will not teach you to be a climber. There is an excellent CD that teaches the basics by well known instructor Peter Jenkins, well worth it, you can find it here: http://treeclimbing.com/index.php/tci-store-91
 
moss said:
I highly recommend picking up the Tree Climber's Companion by Jeff Jepson, it covers all the basic tree climbing technique, gear and knots. However it will not teach you to be a climber. There is an excellent CD that teaches the basics by well known instructor Peter Jenkins, well worth it, you can find it here: http://treeclimbing.com/index.php/tci-store-91
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X3. One of the cheapest books I've ever bought, yet the only one I've ever revisited so many times. In addition, if you have any trabajadores latinos, you could get the spanish and english version, and probably find suitable translations for all of your future language barriers.
 
Welcome Shawn,

There are many ways to climb a tree. Finding the way that works best for you is your adventure. Like others have said, buy that book! http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=74&item=2
Also there are a lot of good videos on YouTube. For example:

I would learn on a basic system, a blakes hitch might be your friend for a while, then if you like - pick up a hitch climber pulley and see how that works.


Keep asking questions and researching and before you know it all of this will be second nature!
 
After you learn a method, learn a few more. You might get away with one, folks have for decades but the more tricks in your bag the better you will be in the long run. Just start low and slow and get to some shows/comps/or just stop by and watch your local climbers.
 
As others have said, welcome to the buzz Shawn. I have read and reread your first post in this thread and I keep seeing red flags when I read "utility cord for prussicks". Please make sure this is rated cordage designed for the intended use.
 
X4 on Tree Climber's Companion. I dare you to find ANY other $15 book that contains so much useful, real world knowledge. When I have a tree climbing question, even though I'm approaching 20 years of climbing and I've owned the book 15 years, it's still the first thing I reach for. (Well, that and the Buzz!)
 
oldoakman said:
As others have said, welcome to the buzz Shawn. I have read and reread your first post in this thread and I keep seeing red flags when I read "utility cord for prussicks". Please make sure this is rated cordage designed for the intended use.
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Yeah. I decided not to comment on that, a lot of people teaching themselves start out using techniques from mountaineering. It is amazing how unique tree climbing ropes and techniques are, we definitely don't use prusiks made from accessory cord. Tree climbing is a whole 'nother ballgame, which is why Jepson's books are a great place to start.
-AJ
 
oldoakman said:
As others have said, welcome to the buzz Shawn. I have read and reread your first post in this thread and I keep seeing red flags when I read "utility cord for prussicks". Please make sure this is rated cordage designed for the intended use.
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Yeah, good to say that out loud. I was thinking he was using alternate terms rather than alternate cordage. Absolutely make sure it is rated and designed for what you intend on doing with it. If you want to hang a water bottle from your harness then you may use a utility cord. Check out this page: -> Tech Cordage or this for -> eye & eye. This cordage is not only rated etc, they have been especially designed with abrasion resistance in mind.
 
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