So I have been a high steal rigger as well as a mountain climber for a long time, Now I live in Chicago, not too much climbing around here., ran across your site and found it to be quite entertaining. Got a Few questions though. What ropes would you suggest, i currently have several good lengths of standard 7/16 static rapp lines, but I am worried about milking and abbrasions. Is this a valid concern?


A quick terminaology question: I Think that your "blakes hitch " is the same thing as a riggers "prusik" is that the case?

Lastly, Does any one know any one to climb with or any where to climb in the Chicago area?


Thanks, I appreciate your help!!

Sounddesign
Buy the Jeff Jepson book tree Climbers Companion for a basic info that you need. Here are some _link_s that will be usefull in getting the gear that you will need.
Take a class from one the climbing schools in Georgia , Michigan , Oregon etc. Attend the Next climbing rendevous in Oregon in May or June time_frame_ details will be comming soon.
www.newtribe.com

Climbing Technique and great pictures of knots( It is in Italian)
http://www.treeclimbing.it

Climbing Supplies and Great (free)Catalog
http://www.wtsherrill.com/

More Supplies
http://www.wesspur.com/

Good Luck, be safe & Climb High!

Greetings, "sounddesign42"--

"Oldtimer" has offered good advice. I particularly want to second the suggestions of New Tribe and Jepson's book (you can get the book from New Tribe).

As for the Blake's hitch, it's an excellent knot for Doubled Rope Technique (DdRT) climbing. (Do a web search for details of that if you don't have Jepson yet.)

Here's a _link_ to details of the Blake's:
"Blake's Hitch Details from Knot Knowledge"

Good luck on your tree climbing! I hope you enjoy it!

The blakes and prusik are similar in the sense that you can push them up, but they lock down when you put your weight in them. There are an infinite amount of these type of friction hitches (a name by which these knots are often referred).

Do some searching online for prusik, prussik, prusick, (the first spelling is the right one, of course) klemheist, distel, bachman and the whole world of friction hitches.

As far as Chicago is concerned, there are some AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME climbing trees out there in the suburbs. You just have to find them!

love
nick