I'm glad you talked me out of the Navajo! And thanks Oldtimer for mentioning the side Ds I had been flirting with the idea of getting just the basic saddle. I'll go for the upgrade. It will cost about the same as the Navajo would've.

Now...I have they cambium saver dilemma. I thought leather was good, standard, easiest, best etc. And the others were slippery hard to keep on the branch and their only advantage being for use on larger branches. Now Moss has proved that may not be the opinion of all climbers. Comments?

ok so I read this http://www.tci-forums.com/viewthread.php?tid=1209
sound pretty good, I love that they can roll up and fit in a bag. I think I'll go for these. Thanks all.

Your kind words about the sleeves are greatly appreciated.

Dan

Nope- you don't need a splice to climb DRT or any other _style_ of climbing. I do have to disagree with what moss said about them being for advanced climbers. It's just a different mind set...personal preference. I could even be argued that splices are better suited for those LESS advanced and unable to tie their own knots (though I'd question if those people should even be climbing on their own anyways....but that's another thread)

We know splices are stronger than knots. But our knots are much stronger than they need to be anyways, so strength is sortof a moot point.

For me and many of my clients, it's a about ease, simplicity, and cleanliness. I don't like looking down at a cluttered harness.

If you're going to be climbing split tail (which I recommend for ease of movement through the tree) and you don't mind paying a little extra, then get the splice. Very few people don't like having the splice once they've ordered it.

Regarding your shopping list. I say don't get the slick line and try the Zing-it. Slick line is weaker and very stretchy when compared to Zing-it.

Saddle- get the NT...the tengu looks nice. I've not heard much in the way of good report from tree climbers regarding the Navajo. The NT harnesses were MADE for us.

2 throw weights. Get a heavy and a light. You'll quickly learn when to use each. I keep an 8oz and a 12ounce on my throwline, and a 12ounce clipped to my harness.

Do you plan on taking your longer throwline up in the tree? If not, check out the faltheimer cube. Expensive, but folds compact and is very easy to flake into. There are other knock-off versions that are similar, though not as well built. Perhaps they are adequate for your needs.

For a rope bag- what do you have in mind? Do you need a back pack _style_ for hiking in a few miles into the woods? Or just a simple round bag with handles? NT makes good rope bags.

Maybe get 1 Triact and 1 Am'D locking 'biner so you can see what locking mechanism you prefer?

Climb safe, and let me know if you need any split tails (spliced, of course!)

love
nick

I guess by advanced I mean "not a beginner". I think it's very useful for a new climber to know how to tie (and climb on) their system from scratch using knots.

I frequently climb on both ends of my rope (every climb) and use pipe or sleeve _style_ cambium savers so an eye splice is not a good option for my climbing _style_. Unless I have the pipes permanently installed on my main rope (not going to happen). An eye splice makes very good sense for a split tail. But I still regard a split tail as something to be used after you learn to climb on a traditional Blakes setup - tying the harness connection knot and bridge using the end of the main climbing rope.

After you find a reason to use an eye splice (_base_d on climbing experience, not theory or what someone tells you) I urge you to contact Nick, he does great work.
-moss

Originally posted by NickfromWI
I say don't get the slick line and try the Zing-it. Slick line is weaker and very stretchy when compared to Zing-it.
Interesting, I am a little scared of starting off with Zing-it, not so crazy about the idea of cuts. I'm getting the blackline from NT to learn on...I'll probably uprgrade to or at leat try out the Zing-it eventually.
Originally posted by NickfromWI

Saddle- get the NT...the tengu looks nice.
After all the comments I recieved I think I'd be silly to go for the Navajo. I went back and found the other saddles at the NT store (the Tengu and Vi are work saddles). I really like to color, and quiet/soft features of the Tengu. I think its the way I'll go. Thanks!

I also think I'll take your suggestion on the weights too. I was going to go for 2 12oz just cause I thought that sounded like a good universal weight and I would have a spare.
I picked out a medium rope bag from NT (Baileys was a few $ cheaper (don't know about quality) but NT had the color, olive)


Originally posted by NickfromWI
Maybe get 1 Triact and 1 Am'D locking 'biner so you can see what locking mechanism you prefer?
Now I am confused. I thought tri-act was a locking type and Am'd was a shape. Help?