Just curious, why do you think it may be spooky?

I've been up 40 feet using this method, except with ascenders instead of prusik loops and it was solid.

Originally posted by Ron
Just curious, why do you think it may be spooky?

I've been up 40 feet using this method, except with ascenders instead of prusik loops and it was solid.

Any time a tree climber sees a new life support configuration/technique they usually consider it spooky until they've tested it themselves. Tree climbers are a cautious bunch. It takes time for newly introduced technique to be accepted. One thing to consider is that many rec climbers are not especially interested in this relatively labor intensive way to climb a tree (girthed loop anchors). With the exception of very small trees most trees have something up high that can be tied into. If not, many climbers just move on to a tree that they can get a rope into.

Another factor to consider is that using this type of sliding girth anchor is going to potentially rip up the bark of the tree (as you go up), depending on the species this could damage the tree. There are varying schools of thought on this. Some climbers prefer to have minimal contact with the trunk and will make ascents that keep them off the trunk. There are no hard and fast rules, if a tree species has very loose or thin bark, or attached ferns, lichens or mosses more caution in trunk contact is worth considering

Not meaning to discourage you, innovation is a wonderful thing, keep at it!
-moss

When working a tree I need to be able to move, especially on first ascent. I keep my escape route planed in advance. You know, insects, animals, dead limbs, crap falling out of the tree on the way up, etc…

It seems to me that being roped-up against the tree trunk… well, if you have to make a quick move up, down, or otherwise, you’re in a world of trouble.

Now to be fair, I think your system is kind of neat. I looked at your pictures and plan to give it a try on one of my own, tame trees.

Posts on new techniques are good.
It's the very life of the forum!
Electrojake

P.S. moss, yes, good psychology.

Good points guys. However, my choice is either use my cinch method or don't climb some big, tall pines on my property.

The first set of limbs on many of my pines are like 60' up and if you could see them, I doubt you'd want to trust your life to them - they just aren't that substantial.

Moss - "One thing to consider is that many rec climbers are not especially interested in this relatively labor intensive way to climb a tree (girthed loop anchors). "

It's just a limbless climb method; I'm not saying anybody would want to use it, but somebody posted an inquiry about how to limbless climb, and Joe and Jbird discussed a limbless climb, so I thought I'd post this method. I've found it to be very effective. Sure, given a choice, I'd rather do SRT or DRT ascents, but that wasn't a choice on this tree.

"Labor intensive" may be more perceived than actual. I don't find this method to be any more labor intensive than DRT or SRT. It is slower than DRT and SRT, and certainly requires a lot of pitches, but the pitch changes are much less intense and easier than a double-ended rope pitch is, especially if you install cambium protectors. If anything, this method is less intense because you get to rest more. And anyway, part of climbing is exercise and challange.

I don't think it's as labor intense as it's perceived to be. I'm nearly 61 years old, in probably a little better than average shape, so I couldn't do it if it was much more labor intense than just climbing. When I finished the 40' limbless climb, I wasn't any more tired than any other climb. In fact, I did a traditional climb about 2 hours after that one.

It could be that the cinch(s) could do some slight damage to the tree bark. But in the particular tree I climbed to 40', a limb from a neighboring tree had already worn a smooth place in the bark. Much more and it would be through the bark. I was much more concerned about that than any slight damage that cinching might do.

Plus, DRT climbing can do far more damage to a tree if cambium savers aren't used on every pitch.

For sure it's a good thing that you're developing this technique. When you get up into the top of one these pines it will be interesting to see if you can get a place to tie-in above the first branches.

It doesn't look like you're damaging the tree you're climbing, just wanted to raise the bark issue, ie: you want to be selective for what trees you do this on. On my backyard Honey Locust for instance, there is no way to ascend it with a cinch type system. The bark forms hard vertical plates that curl out from the tree, snags anything you try to move over it and will break off if a cinch was loaded on it. Whenever I climb it I place my feet so as not to break off bark if possible.
-moss

Moss,

Thanks for the heads up on some subtle but very significant issues.

I appreciate the awareness you present for both the climber and the trees - we don't want to damage either.