How shall we organize this research? Who wants to give the orders and assignments? This is a call for leadership here.

Well, it looks like I got volunteered for this! (gotta learn to keep my mouth shut )

I am trying to put together an outline of the topics that should be covered in Accepted Climbing Practices. So far I have three main areas. Let me know if I have left anything big out, or if there is a better way to organize this:

-Gear standards: double locking biners, MBS of ropes, saddles, etc.

-Pre-climb inspection: looking for widowmakers, electrical hazards, structural integrity of the tree, inspection of gear, etc.

-Guidelines for the climb: ALWAYS tied in with lanyard or climbing line, maintaining a safe angle of the climbing line, "bitter end" knot in end of line on multiple pitch climbs, etc.

As you can see each one of these three main areas breaks down into many smaller topics. I am hoping, as a first step, that I can get some volunteers to help make a comprehensive list or outline of the topics that need to be covered in each main area.

Patrick has already offered to look through the ANSI Z133, which should provide us with most of the accepted climbing gear standards.

I think the pre climb inspection should be fairly straighforward as well. If I remember correctly, Jepson's book has a pre climb checklist in it. (I'd check and see but I lent it out and never got it back.)

The guidelines for the climb may be the most difficult. I feel that it should be extremely clear about what is safe and what is not, but at the same time should be kept as simple as possible, so as not to stifle creativity in climbing techniques.

So.....any takers?

I am willing to collaborate and compile as much of this as I can. I already have a number of ideas for each main area, but would like to wait and see if I can get some others involved first. I should also point out that I am a professional tree worker. This forum is my first exposure to recreational tree climbing, so there may be some things that I am not familiar with, or may do differently. Please point these things out to me (and anything else stupid I might say!).


Alright, I'll wait for some responses now and we'll see how this develops.

On October 19 the Z133 committee will meet in Baltimore to vote on the changes to the 200 version. If things go smoothly there will be a new Z in February. There aren't a lot of proposed changes that would effect RTC.

If you're looking for a copy of the changes go to Treebuzz and find the ANSI Z133 thread.

Let's not all jump at once now!


Just kidding. I have some long workdays coming up this weekend and may not be able to look at this until next week. I'm going to try to come back with something more detailed for us to get started from.

Leon. Work this weekend? I’ve never worked weekends! (Lie) Be safe and hand the rakin’ over to someone else.

Let’s start with a little organization here. How about starting a message group using an e-mail distribution list? I forget what they call these groups. I think Yahoo has that kind of service free, no? Does anyone volunteer to set up the group? Others can then join the group and have the inside track on the discussion, or you can NOT have others enter the group, avoiding a free for all. Possibly you can make personal INVITATIONS into the group. Just brain storming here.

Start with one part of gear, figure it out with the group, then move on to the next item. Maybe a starting list would help. Maybe start with items in the Z133 that are mentioned first. Later bring up new items not on the Z133. Again, just brain storming.

Any other suggestions? Anyone else want to participate? Patrick? You in? (your name was dropped earlier).

Second thoughts about having the discussion on a separate group away from the board here as mentioned in the previous posting. Let’s use the board here as opposed to going somewhere else. It keeps the conversation centralized.

For those just entering this conversation, read completely what has already been said so far on the “Standards Forum”to get an idea of the development of the conversation, not just the last posting.

So I ask again, who wants to roll up their sleeves? The call for leadership on this topic is still taking place. However, there needs to be organization, or you end up with a town hall free for all meeting where little or nothing gets accomplished.