Working on SRT system

The issue of needing a stronger TIP is important to consider. But...this rarely limits my choices. If we try to calculate a sufficient safety factor, we're probably tieing into points that are plenty strong.

When I set a TIP from the ground and then want to move higher I can re-thread the working end of my line up into the higher TIP. The same goes for natural redirects. When it's time to clear the rope, there aren't any false crotches to retrieve. This does mean that I have to handle some rope though. Since the rope doesn't move in SRT I don't need to have pulleys to reduce rope drag. If I want to set up a sling redi all I need is a sling and biner.

Moving up the tree is a bit of a limitation. Even so, it seems to me that at the end of the day, I work less. Putting on the RADS system isn't too big a deal. I do have to pay attention to my route more though. As long as my feet are on the tree I can move up the rope faster than trad climbing. Since SRT is 1:1 and not 2:1 in trad, tailing rope is quicker.

I've been using the Gri Gri but will be getting an I'd this week. I can't see any other tools on the market that would be acceptable for tree workers. Using figure eights for friction isn't a good idea in my opinion but that's fodder for another thread :)

In a head to head working climb I think that both systems would come out close in time but SRT would be ahead in most situations. If we could measure the amount of energy used for both climbs, SRT would be the winner. I can say this because I've been tinkering with SRT for several years and have kept an open mind during the process. I have the luxury of setting the pace on the job. Since I own the company I'm under a different schedule.

Tom
 
SRT techniques have been around for some time, how come
so few arborists have converted?
Is it because of the need for a mechanical device?
The doubled load at the tie-in point?
Or is it because the 2-1 advantage is good to have in this kind of work?

Tom, you need two hands to descend, feed out line, with the I'd, right? Don't you find this limitating?
Also, is Hubert gonna withdraw all them DDRT tools he sent you now that you're promoting SRT techniques? ;)
Or perhaps make a lock-jack for single rope use...
 
Oskar,

My LJ gets used occasionally. If I do a climbing demo I will use DdRT unless I'm talking about SRT. All of the rest of Hubert's tools get a workout.

When I climb trad I still use my lower hand as a brake hand. The I'd can be used with just one hand but its not good practice. The few shortcomings of SRT are off set by the advantages as far as I can see. I think that SRT will gain popularity with progressive climbers in the next few years. Arbos are the only rope workers who work on a dynamic system. I know all of the arguements for DdRT so let's not get into a hot debate about merits/shortcomings.

Tom
 
Tom, you might have misinterpreted my post.
I am really interested in learning more/converting
to SRT. I ordered On Rope 6 months ago, hasn't arrived yet :(

I'm a novice at climbing and I don't know many
arborists around here (there aren't too many around here).
The arguments were more of a retorical kind, are these the
kind of arguments that keep people from going to SRT ?

I know there are many progressive climbers out there
who are willing to try new technques all the time, how
come they haven't gone to SRT?

The Hubert remark was just a silly joke since someone
previously suggested that you were sponsored by Hubert
and got all the gadgets for free.
The SRT version of the Lock Jack was no joke, it would be
great if someone invented a selftailing SRT device that
also colud be used for rappeling as well.

Best Regards / Oskar
 
Oskar,

I got the joke :) My Swedish genes sat up and paid attention :)

This morning I'll try to see how the LJ might work for SRT. When I was thinking about it today I think it might work. My concern is that it doesn't have a panic stop. If the climber grabs onto the release knob, they go down. This could be a disaster.

Denny Moorehouse from ISC has a couple of simple, panic-locking devices that he's developing. One is already being used by rapid insert teams like Special Forces and SWAT teams. The one he has is a single use, light and cheap. The mechanism is simple so his team will only have to change the materials to make it durable.

Tom
 
i really don't want to ask this but i live and work in england what does SRT stand for.i'm hoping i know it as something else but please can you explain it to me a bit more!!!!!!!!!!
 
Hey man, don't be afraid to ask! We all start somewhere. One of the great things about this site is even though some of the biggest names in arboriculture are here, there are no egos.
The abreviations are to save keystrokes, not to keep it a secret!

Maybe we could build a glossary of terms and abreviations? I don't think it would be too big.

Dave
 
read the link supplied by tom.found it very interesting,i understand how it works and it looks real simple.i would quite like to try it but the boss 'aint to keen on spending money other than on his holidays,porsche,designer clothes,drinking.............. any way i have a few qustions that hopefully people can give some answers to
would a lock jack(i think thats what you guys call it?)work on srt?
do you ever work off a srt set u if possible?
has any one got experience using lock jacks on a doubledline if so are they as good as i have read?
how long do these things last before the cam starts to wear?
a long shot but where could i find one in the uk?
 
Blue- Go back about 8-9 posts on this thread for the answer to half of your questions on the LockJack. And no, it isn't as great as you've heard. Cams are pricey and wear out quickly, and the whole thing will creep once it has a little (2 months) use on it- even with a new cam.

Ask around for the guys who own a LJ and see how many of them are still using it. It's fun until the new wears off, but a properly tied VT is better.
 
If you want to progress, learn on your own time. Most employers have a hard time understanding the concept that its in their best interest to have people learning on company time. Sometimes that costs in production time in the short run but I feel that it pays in the long run. You're on the right track, checking in here to start your home study.

The LJ is not a good tool to use for SRT. The Petzl I'd would be the best tool to use.

I work on SRT almost all of the time.

The cam will wear faster if your rope is dirty. Bagging your rope, washing occaisonally and using a false crotch all of the time will keep the grit out of your rope. When my first cam wore on my LJ I decided to wash my rope. That fluffed it up just enough to stop the slipping. I did order the new cam but washing got me through the order time in good fashion.

Get hold of my friends at Pro Climber for all of your gear in the UK. Andrew splices rope and Caroline runs the shop. They have a discussion forum too. Don't abandon us over here though :)

Cheers,

Tom

http://www.proclimber.co.uk/
 
thanx for the answers to my questions.i think i'll give the lock jack a miss and stick to my climbing line and blake's hitch and grillon it's done me good for a good few years now and to many gadgets can get in the way i think but am always open to new idea's.
 
</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
always open to new idea's

[/ QUOTE ]
blue;
Dump the Blakes!
grin.gif
 
Bobbin style descenders like the Stop do work as descenders but there are pluses and minuses.

On the plus:

They go on and off the rope easily
Inexpensive
Easy to operate

Minus:

Don't dissipate heat very well. The cams can get hot with a too fast, too long descent. There is the real possibility of melting a patch of rope.
The Stop is sometimes called "The Creep" because it, like many bobbins, slip a little. This can be unnerving.
Before working on a bobbin, you MUST tie a back-up stopper.
Doesn't have a panic mode, if the lever is held, a ground fall is likely. In order to stop the handle must be released. This is contrary to ingrained panic response which is to grab tighter when falling.
In order to go back up the rope, the slack needs to be pushed or threaded back up. This is really awkward.

Kong has a version that has a panic stop. The lever has a sweet spot, grab too hard and it locks, let go and it locks. A nice feature

The Rocker can be used as a descender but it doesn't release very smooth when it has a load on it. If there isn't a load it will slip down the rope. ON the back end there is a little, toothed, cam. By flipping that up, the Rocker grabs onto the rope. I know that I wouldn't want to count on using the Rocker for a descender.

Tom
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom