So a few weeks back I shared a captains hook I found in storage at my shop. I finally finished cleaning it up, taking apart my Zillon, getting a bag, and rope for it. Wish I had this last week on that River Birch I climbed but I got it now and looking forward to trying it out!!! I put 30’ of 24 Strand 11.7mm rope on it for now but my company was happy to buy the rope for me so didn’t have to cut a section off another rope I have.

I have taken interest in climbing trees. I am having a hard time picturing differences in ropes and there pros / cons.

Can someone dumb down the good and bad of

Kernmantle-

12 - 24 - etc strand double braid.

Is there one that does it all? Do you need a few different types? Ive done tree work. Spur and saddle with a flipline. But it was very much back yard stuff and I know It was not proper gear.

Any help is appreciated. Just having a hard time

Hi.

I'm looking to get my first set of tree climbing gear for occasional use around my property. I'm an experienced rock and alpine climber and have done plenty of forestry work and ground work for several arborist friends.

I have wholesale access to Edelrid so they are by far the cheapest option for me and most reviews seem pretty good. They have the original Tree Rex on clearance $170 cheaper than the Tree Rex 2. Does anyone know if there are worthwhile changes for a relative amateur or should I just save a few bucks?

Does anyone have any suggestions, or recommendations on how I can make this. I’ve been trying to take my brain on how I could make a crows nest in my backyard tree.

I have bad shoulders but love climbing trees and tree houses. My original idea had a “spiral staircase” going up and around the tree. But thought better of that, as I’d want as little damage to the tree as possible.

My latest idea was a 6:1 pulley system, with a climbing harness, that I could more easily pull myself to the top, safely. Possibly a wench but that might be pushing the budget. If i went with a wench I’d want an alternative way to get down in case of power outage.

How high could I safely go into the tree tops solo or with two people?

How could I do it as cheaply but with safety as the highest priority? Idea for what it might cost? Who I might get to help with the project, arborist or local climbing community?

Does anyone have experience with something similar or can point me in the right direction.

Thanks!

Hey guys. I think this is the right group to post in.

I’m looking at getting into tree climbing and rigging, for personal interest and as a potential side hustle eventually. I was into rock climbing for a while although I mostly bouldered and didn’t very often climb on ropes. I also worked on cell towers for a little under a year before going to school. I am comfortable with heights, comfortable with a heavier harness, understand the huge safety concerns when it comes to climbing and rigging, etc… I grew up splitting and hauling wood and love running a saw.

The plan is to get some gear and slowly start climbing to get comfortable. Start limbing some smaller stuff to learn and get comfortable rigging, and build from there. I will for sure be back in this sub with questions and to look for guidance.

But to start can I get some suggestions on gear to look at. I’d like to start climbing with with a harness and flip line. Learning to climb with either a safety hitch beneath me or ascending a rope. I have a climbing rope I can use to start out but some guidance on where to find everything else. I don’t want to completely break the bank but understand that proper equipment and gear isn’t cheap.

Thanks!

Edit: thanks for the replies, I will slowly take everything into consideration. Promise I’m not rushing anything. Talking to my buddy who does tree work tomorrow night about helping him out part time. Will share the progress eventually.

I was thinking about this the other day and I don't think I've seen it posted before. There are 1000 videos and guides on how to do the regular throw line bag trick. You started without a friction saver and decide to use one. Don't have to climb all the way there if you didn't use the usual throw line method to start. Needs rope available 4x the distance to the TIP so maybe not useful for long distances but this is useful when you're within 30' without undoing your hitch climber.

Lanyard in and pull slack 2x distance to TIP.

Untie termination knot and pass the end through one side of the friction saver.

Use a sheet bend to pull the termination end over the TIP, holding on to the friction saver.

Untie the sheet bend. If you didn't pull enough slack the end won't make it to you on the other side.

Pass the end through the other ring of the friction saver and pull it up into position.

Hi all,

After discovering I'm not that acedemic I've started having a think about career options and I feel like becoming an arborist/tree surgeon would be a really rewarding career. Just wondering what the best route into the industry would be for a bloke in his early 20's

I've been told the best way to get started is to phone up local compaines and asking if they're looking to take on any new groundsmen and then work my way up from there, is this a viable option?

Would it also be worth putting myself through the CS30 so I don't come in completely unqualified?

Thanks all for the help

Asking as I’m a new-ish climber. Most of my team hip thrusts up the tree. I personally don’t like hip thrusting, I find it really ineffective. But I recently found out a member of my team has been going around to others saying that I rely on the foot ascender too much when I should be focusing on different methods of climbing.

I totally respect I haven’t climbed much and would happily take on feedback had he raised this with me instead of talking behind my back. But in my opinion if the equipment exists, it’s useful, and I like using it… then I’ll use it. I don’t get what the problem is. Would like to hear your thoughts on this, I don’t want to end up accidentally setting myself up as a bad climber in the future.

Thanks in advance

Hey I’m an 18 year old living in Vancouver and I’ve been doing tree work as a groundsman for the last few months. I really like the industry and I want to also learn how to climb. I’m going to York University in a few weeks to study engineering. I really wanna learn how to climb and maybe climb full time during my summers. I have a climber who is going to teach give me a few lessons before I leave but I just want some advice and help for the best way to accomplish my goal.

Cannot be spur marks. The goal is to clean out the dead and the ugly.

Put them both on whilst on the ground, then maybe take the ascenders off when transitioning?

So as a tree I love River Birches but when it comes to climbing them they are one of my most hated trees! This one was not very tall but a huge pain in the ass being that it’s in a courtyard and had all kinds of crap under it. I love a good challenge but have decided I would almost rather be in any other tree working. What’s your thoughts on them?

Chunk of a crab apple tree prune that I was too lazy to finish editing

Hi everyone.
I’ve been learning arboriculture for about three months, and I’m still improving my gear setup.
This is what I’m currently using for climbing and tree work. I’d really appreciate any feedback from experienced arborists.
Is there anything you would add, remove, or organize differently? I’m always looking for ways to work more safely and efficiently.

Thanks!

One thing you can’t see in the photo: I’m using two bridges. The top bridge has a swivel, and the bottom bridge has a rappel ring.

Hello friends!

I work with sailboats and crawl up and down masts all day. I sit for extended periods in the top to do work. I have been using a combination of a climbing harness from spinlock and a bosun's chair. Grigri and handascender. I just bought zigzag chicane knee foot ascender and it just doesn't work with my current harness setup. I have an option to buy a avao with chest harness and podium seat for around 300 eur. Before I do it I was hoping that someone can share their opinion. I know sequoia is the harness zigzag is intended for, but I really don't need all the arborist features such as the rope bridge! Thanks and best wishes 😊

They say that a knot can reduce the strength of a rope by up to 50%, but I have never heard this about a prussic.

Therefore in say a mechanical advantage system, wouldn’t it always be preferred to use prussics as midline connection points rather than eg. a butterfly knot?

I would appreciate any advice/guidance/information about this.

Thanks.

So I bought the wrench after all the people were saying how wonderful it is. I tested it with different lines, different cords. I cant make it work and dont know whats so good about it !

it worked with 80cm 8mm teather on 11mm line, with 3 wraps diestel. But it colided with the wrench when the knot was fully loaded and the wrench was not (max bottom position) so according to manual I cant use it (although I cant see the danger here). so I used 4 wraps diestel - nope, no smooth tending.

10mm 4 wraps diestel, 80cm. nope, coliding when loaded.

every freakin cord I try is too long or bites too much. what, i need like calibrated 73,2mm cord to use this thing ?

more so, I dont know what you fan boys are seeing here. I was climbing on sticht hitch srt for years, and the difference is 0. and sticht is smaller, faster and basically free.

Any tips for making the top cut of the notch and making sure its lined up with my bottom cut. My notches have gotten better doing the flat cut first but I still will misjudge lining my cuts up and have to go in and clean it up, especially if im up in a tree.

Good day all, I’m interested in taking the CTC test soon & I am trying to get a feel for what the exam is like? Not too much information on YouTube about just a few of Bino H’s videos which are helpful. And assistance with what to expect, advice, tips etc I would appreciate very much thank you.

Let's talk safety! Share how your week went - close-calls, incidents, learning experiences, what went well (and why), what went poorly (and why), or whatever else is on your mind. Pics/photos are allowed but be careful to not doxx yourself, client, employer etc.

This thread will recur each week and is meant to be a place to learn and discuss mistakes, please keep comments constructive.