Moss thanks for the response.

Maybe it's just me, but considering the effort we go to to try to keep a 10:1 safety margin (some promote 15:1) in our climbing system, it seems binocular inspection and bounce testing is not in line with a 10:1 safety margin concept. But I'm new to this so maybe that's the way it's done.

Another part of the problem I didn't mention was that when the limbs start, there's a bunch of them. It would be very difficult to isolate one limb in order to use the dynamic DRT, even with a Big Shot, cross or compound bow to do the throwing.

Photos, hmmm, I can do that, but how do I post a digital pic here?

Ron, with very little practice, you WILL be able to isolate those branches. Also, with little practice, you'll be able to identify what makes a GOOD (compliant with 10:1) branch to tie in to, and what might not.

To add a picture, store them online somewhere, and give us the _link_s, or look below when you're typing in your response for something that allows you to Browse for attachments. Make sure the photos are scaled down so they aren't out of wack!

love
nick

Yep, pines can be tough especially with the dead branches blocking the good ones. You can isolate, takes a little work. Some tricks to be learned there. SRT is easier for this situation, you don't need to isolate when you anchor the line at the _base_ of the trunk.

One way to post a photo is to find a free photo hosting site like Flickr and then _link_ the URL for the photo with the "Insert Picture" button when you're editing your post. Many of the photo hosting sites don't allow image _link_ing to a second location (TCI board) Flickr does. You can also place a single image directly from your hard drive by using the "Browse" button below the message edit window.
-moss

I see Nick and I are tag-teaming you on the response

LOL! Tag teaming is good in this case - I get a double dose of advice and I appreciate it.

It sounds like it comes down to limb isolation or SRT. And, I have seen that to be the case in my limited experience.

It looks to me like that limb isolation takes a lot of practice and some luck. SRT is easier to "install" but doubles the weight on marginal branches. I guess nothing is perfect.

I'll try to get some pics posted, but I'll have to take them first, so next time I climb, tomorrow I hope, I'll make some pics of how I currently climb without using limbs.

Hello Ron, Welcome to the TCI Board, From your de_script_ions I gather that you have all the important gear for an efficient SRT set up climb. If the lowest branch is only 50 feet tall. It should not be very hard to reach that elevation with a regular throw weight (10 oz) slickline and some practice. I can regularly throw about 60 to 70 feet up with the straddle throw method ( in between your legs). Look in Sherrills Ascend Catalog page 6 for a picture of it. There is not need to isolate the branch route and you tie the rope to the _base_ of the tree and bring the other end of the rope with you to change to DRT while moving higher in the tree. A handy lanyard is helpfull while doing the change overs SRTto DRT and back again to stay tied to safety at all times. You have two great advisors on Moss and Nick A. Lots of good ideas there.
Climb High!

Thanks for the input Oldtimer. I think my problem is that I'm new to this and I really have NO confidence in pine limbs, well the limbs in my trees. They may be larger than they appear to me, but they look pretty small to my inexperienced eye.

As you noted, I do have equipment for SRT and that's really my favorite method where possible. I have been using the SRT on a tree that I can install a friction saver on and then install my rope. I do anchor it to the _base_ of the tree using 1" nylon flat webbing in a girth hitch.

But, again, due to lack of experience, fear, or whatever, I am very reluctant to do this on a pine limb. Tying the rope to the _base_ of the tree puts double my weight on the limb the rope is across.