Vertical speedline

peder-d

peder-d

Location
Aarhus, Denmark
I couldnt't find an old thread about this subject, so I am starting a new one.

I think it is called vertical speedline...
When blocking (free fall / not snatching) down a stem yesterday, we experimented with a fixed rope - tied to both the top and base of the spar. Then attached the piece we where chunking down, with a sling and carabiner to the fixed rope. To prevent the chunck from rolling down a slope a jumping or into a building.
Hope my description makes sence !?

Anyway, it seemed like we where chockloading the rope a bit, so I am looking for a way to improve the setup.
Any ideas? And is it better to keep the rope a bit slack, or as tight as possible?
 
When I've done vertical SLs the only time there is a shock load is when the chunk hits the ground. Since there is always slack in the system I've never been concerned with the loads in the same way that I am when I negative block pieces out in a usual rigging setup.

Mine have always been setup snug but never tensioned with any sort of mechanical advantage.
 
This reminds me of taking down three large Tulip poplars in a back yard with a severe slope. There was no grass, as no one could have cut it; rather the builder had installed crown vetch as a ground cover. The slope was too severe to use a tractor/loader. If we had lost a piece it would have been a nightmare as the roof peak of the house behind the one we were working at was below the ground level at the base of these 36 to 42 inch dbh tulips. When we got to the big pieces we negative blocked each piece and then used the winch on the truck to haul them over to be loaded. It was a long day. A vertical speedline would have still left us with at least 20 feet of elevation to make up.

One variation I've also used is to tie an old bull rope (one we saved for muddy situations and such) to the piece, but leave it longer than the distance to the ground. the piece could drop and roll, but was limited by its 'leash'. Still, I can count on one hand the times I have done that.
 
[ QUOTE ]
When I've done vertical SLs the only time there is a shock load is when the chunk hits the ground. Since there is always slack in the system I've never been concerned with the loads in the same way that I am when I negative block pieces out in a usual rigging setup.

Mine have always been setup snug but never tensioned with any sort of mechanical advantage.

[/ QUOTE ]

I attached the chuncks to the rope with a steel carabiner, and it did seem like the carabiner was being a little hard on the rope.
Maybe the system should have been a little less tight?
At the base of the spar I had mounted a sling and schackle, which I ran the rope through, and then kept it tight with some friction around the tree next to it.
How do you tighten the system, as the spar is getting shorter and shorter?

We did as shown on the drawing....

Will you say that, in general, it is less hard on your rope / the tree than normal snatching?
 

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[ QUOTE ]
I couldnt't find an old thread about this subject, so I am starting a new one.

Hope my description makes sence !?

[/ QUOTE ]

Your description is perfect. But, I think your illustration is good. The technique can be hard on ropes (rather, it looks like it's shocking the ropes pretty hard). If you can allow for the V.S.L. to "run" a little, similar to lowering a limb like we normally do, it will reduce shock. But, I'm sure you've probably thought of that.

Eric Frey, from Oz, did a good video of this technique.

Vertical Speed Line Video. <---- Click there.

The action starts at about 1:55 in the video. At about 2:15 there is an excellent example of why he used the set up.
 
If I need to tighten the VSL I would run tie a bulky stopper knot [figure 8 on a bite, Alpine Butterfly, etc.] at the point that I wanted the biner/sling to catch. Before tightening the stopper I find a piece of wood, shave off the bark and use it as a fid to keep the knot from jamming. Then I use a Munter at the base. Generally all it takes is a couple of groundies to sweat up the rope and get enough tension without using any mechanical advantage. If MA is needed, redirect through a pulley at the base and anchor horizontally to another tree.

If a Munter is used a good groundie can give a tiny bit of slack after the chunk hits the ground to 'let it run' as much as needed. This is rarely needed though in my experience.
 
Vertical speedline video is "SPOT ON"! Eric has a great attitude...
Blocking, or as I call it, Chunking is an art and often we line up some rounds as bumpers. Like infront of that window.
My old boss always had some old bullrope around and used it in these applications. I never thought much of it, just quick and dirty improvisations.
 
Reg's video is great!Cool idea with the old tyres! It seems more controlled, than the Palm tree video. The palm chunk almost (!) hit the window.
knockout.gif


I have a lot of old (in various length ) bull rope, so I'll use that for the VSL.
Great idea, Tom, with the stopper knot.
 
Reg has what looks like a horse stall mat beneath the tires and on top of brush.

I've seen a double layer of tires with a stall mat on top. I was super-impressed at how much it deadened the energy of the rounds, with no damage to the pavers beneath.
 
Why not just rig it down on a usual dynamic system? block at the top port a wrap at the bottom that would take the energy out of the blocks to. Just wondering?
 
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Why not just rig it down on a usual dynamic system? block at the top port a wrap at the bottom that would take the energy out of the blocks to. Just wondering?

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Kevin, the VSL is a much faster and easier set-up per log, friendlier of the ropes etc and much safer on a structually compromised tree....perfect for the tree in the video. We actually pre-loaded the line and slings via the lowering device which helped me tip the logs over.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Kevin, the VSL is a much faster and easier set-up per log, friendlier of the ropes etc and much safer on a structually compromised tree....perfect for the tree in the video. We actually pre-loaded the line and slings via the lowering device which helped me tip the logs over.

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My words exactly. Even with a good groundie its not nice to rig enormous chunks. VSL is much more smooth....
 
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