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ionlyski
Trad climber
Kalispell, Montana
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 31, 2015 - 10:38pm PT
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Really, these are like wood utility poles, Western Larch, otherwise known as Tamarack. My object of conquest is as straight as you can imagine and no branches to speak of till about 50 feet, probably about 18" diameter at the base.
I invented a crack climbing contraption that attaches to a tree. It's tried, tested and blessed. Now that I've got property with my own straight and tall trees it's time to install it again. These are taller than my prototype maple tree version and I can''t just stand a ladder up to the tree to ratchet strap the connector module plates every 8 to 12 feet up the tree, so I want to climb, lineman style!
I have experience with rock climbing. I watched a few youtube videos on lineman pole climbing. It seems kinda ballsy, a little like free solo or more like climbing ice solo.
Some questions. Could I use a regular climbing harness, of heavy duty style or do I need the leather belt? Where to buy the gaffs or whatever you call the strap on leg spikes? Which ones to get? Where to obtain the strap that goes around the pole? What are they called? Could I use an endless style ratchet strap as lead pro and clip in to it, maybe a couple of them to stop a fall?
I am ready to learn!
Arne
Similar to those behind the root cellar. I may have to pass a branch from time to time.
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thebravecowboy
climber
Lost Park
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Mar 31, 2015 - 10:46pm PT
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cool property! no rocks? any surface water?
those trees sound pretty radical to ascend. 'weege is the man for this'n.
oh yeah: pics or it didn't happen for the crack-contraption. ;-)
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Chaz
Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
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Mar 31, 2015 - 11:03pm PT
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These guys are a good source for that kind of shit:
http://www.baileysonline.com/Arborist-Tree-Care/
My only experience above ladders is tossing a line over an overhead limb, and jumaring from there. There's a slingshot thing made especially for that on the link above.
Yer gonna die.
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
I'm James Brown, Bi-atch!
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tree ladders, cabelas, exactly like aiders only different,
carry a forked stick to loop the rope around the really big f*#kers,
gen sherman tree? just hammer in pitons, carry a scanner for rangers,
wear a tazer suit,
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Norwegian
Trad climber
dancin on the tip of god's middle finger
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don't spike your trees.
spikes are used only
if the tree is to be removed.
you need a throwball
to get your line high
and then pull up
a bigger rope.
fix the rope to
the bottom of your tree
(bowline on a bight)
and now ascend with jumars.
a rock climbing harness
is fine.
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cliffhanger
Trad climber
California
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tie fishing line to an arrow. shoot over a high limb with bow or crossbow. pull up cord with fishing line. pull up climbing rope with cord. jug on up.
google: climbing trees arrow
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Poloman
Trad climber
Anna, Il
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The Norwegian is giving you good advice.
Watch out for dead or dying limbs.
I used to climb for a tree company when I was a much younger man. Those guys are very ballsy.
IMO much more dangerous than traditional rock climbing.
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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You don't want to use Gaffs, especially repeatedly on a tree you want to keep. Tree gaffs and pole gaffs are different lengths and fit the same spurs, but on line a decent set is now north of $300
The belt and strap aren't cheap either. Never climbed trees, but have climbed enough poles. The scary part is when you realize that termites have hollowed it out and you don't want to make sudden moves and scare them enough that they quit holding hands.
You probably want something like this.
Hunters self climbing stand.
[Click to View YouTube Video]
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Flip Flop
climber
salad bowl, california
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Aid the tree using girth hitches.
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Craig Fry
Trad climber
So Cal.
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Bare feet and hands,
go up like a monkey.
Ever see the island natives getting coconuts, they know what they're doing.
It's natural like rock climbing (huh?)
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Caveman
climber
Cumberland Plateau
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Y'all are nuts! Listen to the Norwegian.
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brotherbbock
Trad climber
Alta Loma, CA
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The KEY thing to remember is.....
YER
GONNA
DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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son of stan
Boulder climber
San Jose CA
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You require a 'zero damage' tree climbing rig of some sort, right?
Preferably DIY from stuff you already have.
No spiked boots so no holes to let insects
gain entry and make your trees bleed and get sick,
no bark gouging metal ladder ratchet things.
You need to get down as easily as you go up.
Coconut harvesters have solved this with a simple and rather
non strenuous padded rope prusik rig. The only question is will it work
on larger tree trunks. Perhaps with a curved aid stick to help push the
prusiks up the far side of the fatter trunks?
As always don't die while having this much fun.
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Its an amazing place to be in the top ten feet of a 140 foot sugar pine in a slight breeze. Natures carnival ride as it seems like your going ten feet back and forth and in reality maybe a foot or two at best..
Missed that one.
I once worked some stadium lights that were 120'+ on a breezy day. The wind plus changing out fixtures out on the arms got the pole oscillating. By the time I got finished I was getting sea sick.
That was a long, slow climb down!
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ionlyski
Trad climber
Kalispell, Montana
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 1, 2015 - 11:24am PT
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A 24 ft extension ladder's a good way to get a jump on the job...
Yup. That was my plan to use my 32 footer initially. No you're not blowing it Kevin.
Some cool ascending apparatus here, love the one with the coconut tree.
Craig, yeah I would pull my back in 2 seconds flat two handed lay backing like the natives do.
One thing is that Larch does not have as reliable bark as mature pine, kind of like choss. I don't think the gaffs would harm the tree but I don't want to kill it. Speaking of which, my crack contraption uses heavy duty endless ratchet straps to attach each module in place. Will these kill the tree eventually? I had it up on my 100 year old maple tree for a year and didn't see any difference.
I think I may just aid up the tree with girth hitch placements and install a top anchor. From there I'll just fix a line I guess. I need to work with tools and both hands though and I'm not a wall climber, so limited proficiency there.
Arne
Edit-And of course I'm gonna die!
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Dropline
Mountain climber
Somewhere Up There
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The Bigshot works well for getting a small line to the first substantial crotch. Use some kind of ascending system to gain that crotch then toss to the next, and repeat, or free climb. Try to stay tied into something at all times though. Crotch in as high as possible and then descend to where you want to work hands free. The higher above your work you are crotched in the better as the "angle of the dangle" is better. If you are not removing the tree, whether or not you can wisely use spurs depends on the species, local custom, and local laws.
Most of the details on the above can be found on the web. If you are already a rock climber you can likely safely use what you find on the web to learn to climb trees. If you are not already a technical climber of some sort, with considerable experience, you'd be well served by hiring an arborist who can put you up in the tree wherever you want to be to do whatever needs doing.
Some of the larger botanical gardens in the country offer recreational tree climbing training.
Have fun. Be safe. Remember gravity still sucks no matter what vertical realm you are in.
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xtrmecat
Big Wall climber
Kalispell, Montanagonia
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Arne, do you just want me to climb it and fix a line? Chris has the spurs and belt. I've cut more than a few tops this way, and the climb is no big deal. It won't harm your larch to spur up once.
Burly Bob
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son of stan
Boulder climber
San Jose CA
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[Click to View YouTube Video]
Tree climbing starts at 2:32 .
Proficiency video at Coconut Tree Climbing University of somewhere?
Coconuts are big business. Trees per hour climbed, coconuts harvested,
maximizing profits etc must have led to perfecting this climbing rig.
It's fast. After seeing it in action pretty sure I could build one if
I ever had to.
Coconut students with wicked looking knives, looking
skilled, going up and down.
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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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Uhh - please don't try Gaffs right off the bat.
I spent 8 years climbing 40 foot sticks for the Phone Company and while I could teach you in a day it still takes a full six months before you can gaff a stick AND do something productive once you get to height.
Cutting out is a bitch!
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