Why SRT?

In March of '05 I first saw the Uni above the heads of climbers at Expo in Long Beach. I met Morgan a few minutes later. from then on I've been using the Uni. I've never had a rope come out of ONE bar. I know that it happened to Jimmy. Is it a routine occurrence? Insure don't think so

In all of my SRT lectures, demos and writing I try to make the message clear that there are dangers that are unique and different than DdRT. Neither is overwhelmingly better or safer across the board. There is a give and take. All risks can be addressed and mitigated...but notmeliminated.

Wearing some sort of crash helmet while driving will save a lot of lives and reduce the severity of injuries. This has been shown through accident analysis. Are we likely to wear helmets? Fifty some thousand die on US roads each year even withbetter and safer cars. risk is around us. We decide our exposure.

If anyone feels that I haven't been honest and upfront about the hazards or risks of SRT please call me out.
 
No Im cool still use the uni,I think your reading into something that just isnt there.It just needs a locking gate thats all bottom line-ITS NOT SAFE UNTIL THE ROPE CANNOT COME OUT ACCIDENTLY.My dad started tree care around the time you did so I got nothing but repspect for you.I know alot of guys that could run real fast when they where younger,but they still walk good. ole father time is gonna catch us all,the fact is with most physical activities avetually were just not as fast as we used to be,climbing is no exception.It reminds me of most pro sports not matter how good guys take care of there body eventually they just cant perform at that level any more-its just part of life.
 
I know Jimmy, and I didn't take it that way. I just think that it is important for the sake of a productive forum to be able to say; "here, this is the way I climb. I do this and this and this. So far I am okay because I am still posting." And not have it be your responsibility if someone tries to do what your doing and it doesn't work. You know what I'm saying? There are greenies in here and there also people with no common sense. Its a difficult line because a lot of new techniques may be dangerous in ways we do not even know about yet. That is not a reason not to use new techniques or to hear about them. I am concerned about censorship and if people would be scared to share ideas in case one of their ideas was a bad one and they were held liable. A climber, even a greenie is responsible for themselves. I very much doubt anyone here would maliciously post dangerous techniques purposefully.
 
Grover, if I was at all worried about the anchor side of my climb line being cut or being in the way of the work to be performed, then I could simply use a running bowline and anchor my line to the TIP with no more hazards than Ddrt. I do this with all removals as you might expect and with most any kind of trim job that will require major rigging.

Jimmy, if you look back through my posts I have described a way to introduce mechanical advantage to use when returning from a limb walk. Problem solved, next question. I don't think anyone should make generalizations about anything such as how "we srt guys are going to get someone killed". For one thing, we don't all "push" srt. It is how I climb, but that is it, It's just how I roll. I am not trying to convert anyone. If you climb Ddrt I will still be glad to buy you a beer and listen to stories about huge trees and other tall tales:) As far as someone getting hurt by using my techniques? We are all responsible for our own actions. Do what I did before I tried something new and take the time to research it and learn what you need to know to be safe and RESPONSIBLE. No offense to anyone, but just because I read something on an online forum I do not automatically assume it is correct or safe or allowed.

By the way, I climbed two trees yesterday and I used Srt on one and Ddrt on the other. Like I said before, I will use the system that best suits the purpose. Both trees were removals but they required different approaches to dismantle.
 
Hi Dave, as always you make very valid points and paint a clear picture.

The guy in the video, Johno, probably a very accomplished climber, looked comfortable for the best part but not all the time. It apeared that he needed two hands when decending in mid-air....one on the uni and the other on the rope. Is that standard on srt? Does the uni allow for one handed speed adjustment in such situations or is it all or nothing? Thanks
 
The Uni can be operated one-handed.

Good practice with any descender, especially on SRT is to have a brake hand below the device, Uni, F8, Munter, etc. This is where I think of a backup rather than during ascent.

Sometimes the brake hand serves to temper the speed of the descent. Think of a volume control with single digits 1-2-3...etc. Using a brake hand adds .5 increments to the volume/speed of the descent...1.5-2-2.5-3-3.5...etc.
 
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...I tend to climb the tree more and only use my rope for positioning and swings....

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Yep. In the past, I'd say I was more or less rope climbing. Now, it is a delight to climb the tree and advance the Unicender as I climb higher.
 
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Does the uni allow for one handed speed adjustment in such situations or is it all or nothing? Thanks

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Hi, Reg. I do use the swing and grab while one handing the Uni. It works quite well but it is not a carefree move and requires more thought than the same move done on doubled rope.

It is done by using the wrap method which gives you great control but if you let go or lose your grip on the tailing rope you can lose altitude fast. I have never had a mishap and use it fairly regularly but in this configuration, it is possible for the Uni not to immediately grab upon release.

As Tom said descents are best accomplished with two hands. There are a lot of options and they can be very fast AND very controllable.

But as you know, every once in awhile, you need that one hand free. So you would need to weigh the risks and benefits.

Dave
 
In the second vid of jono-that is a horrible branch walk as the main tip is not very high above, its almost a horizontal rope angle. and its prob the worst vid of jono climbing ever taken.
 
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