This is a new tool (made by the German Lockjack folks) which makes it possible to redirect your rope anchor placement making more parts of the tree easily atainable without having to go back up to get the rope redirect restationed, as in a branch crotch, or get your redrect false crotch back, as in a webbing sling and a carabiner.

Wow, peter, I haven't seen that one yet. How does it work? How do you retrieve it?

I am currently "working on" a Retrievable redirect (RR). There is a adjustable sling (whoopie) with a sailing snap-shackle in the spliced eye. I put a large carabiner in the adjustable eye. You adjust it to the size you want, throw the carabiner around the branch then clip the shackle to the 'biner. When ready, pull a throwline connected to the shackle, opening the gate on the shackle, allowing the hole works to slide back down to where you are.

I have not used it yet (just made it this week) and there are still some kinks to work out (the shackle I bought requires a pull from a limited range of angles to allow it to open. The pin must be pulled straight out, so a direct sideways pull won't open it. There is another shackle that will remedy it, but it's like 80.00 and I can't spring for that at the moment!)....And a few other little problems, but I am going to try it out this weekend to see how it works. It looks fine. It will hopefully bring an end to having to climb back up just to bring down the redirect.

I've heard of other systems, but have yet to see another person use one successfully. I'd like to hear more about the Lockjack version!

love
nick

You're right, Dan. That snap shackle can pop right open if a twig or something were to pull that little wire ring.

However, since this is not for my primary tie in point, a failure would not result in a fall, but more likely a (painful) swing. If I keep the dangers into account, I can minimize the risks. By putting the sling somewhere where there are no little twigs to get in and cause trouble, there's less chance of it opening. I also have to make sure that the pull-line is not in reach of any courious people on the ground!

Yes, the two ring method is doable, but retrieval involves removal of the climbing line from your primary tie in point (TIP).

So knowing that there is value in the retrievable redirect, and seeing that my system has some flaws, what ideas can anyone else offer that might make this system better? Or how about a different system?

love
nick

I tried out the retrievable redirect with the snap-shackle today. It worked quite nicely. I saw that it is super-crucial if the snap shackle is going over the branch or under it. I had it going over the branch, with the pull-line (a spectra throwline made by Yale Cordage) going behind it.

When it came time to retrieve, I pulled and it popped right off. It slid right down to me. I'd like to use it in a few more trees before I'm totally comfortable with it.

I'll keep you all updated!

love
nick

When I climb on a trad or DdRT system I use the Rope Guide. It is a nice tool but the cost/performance ratio is high. Every climber has to decide for themselves what to spend for ultimate performance.

You can look at the Rope Guide on Fresco's site:

http://www.frescoarborist.com/


Tom

That's a super RR! I've used it myself. Safe (though the Fixe is "only" rated for 22kn. I'd reccomend the mini pulley by CMI, rated for 7000lb)

So do you have one that you can retrieve while in the tree without losing your original TIP way at the top of the tree?

love
nick