Moss, Thanks a lot for the feedback. I did try the more basic blake's hitch , 4 wraps threaded through 2. It did feel better once I got it tight enough, and it did release better. But maybe I should stick with the B 53 and use your hint. I do believe safer is better.
As far as the split tail I wanted to make sure I wasn't ruining the rope. I must admit coming down a bit faster is a lot of fun. Not necessarily screaming but steady. I am 200 lbs. so I am sure that helps create more heat. Peace of the forrest to you. Don

Oldtimer,
I appreciate your welcome. Thanks. You ask some good questions. I am 55 years old. I live in Laconia NH. Beautiful mtsn. and lakes come together right here in the middle of NH.I am a therapist now,cranial sacral and breath work(been at it for 27 yrs.) It is a way to help people go deeper into themselves. I have always loved the outdoors. I do like adventure, or need it to balance the rest of my life. So when I found myself trimming trees in my yard, and going higher, it was only natural for me to hunt how to use ropes and go further with it. I have no training except for Peter's video and all that I could read. The old journals of tree climber and the tree climber's companion.
I did call the local arborist, I don't know him personally, to see if I might take a lesson or two from him, but he was unresponsive. So like any middle age guy I perused the catalogs of Sherill and New tribe. I have a newtribe harness. I have been using double rope technique and have pretty much all the basic stuff.
I have added a little something to the basic stuff that helps my arthritic fingers. I had read about Guineveve Summers using a microcender and the foot loops from new tribe. That has helped making climbing a nice balanced exercise. I also tie an extra blake's hitch on my rope to act as a tender for the main blake's hitch. Works great.
I am at the point where I am loving it more and more. I can really feel the refreshment of it physically. I have always been deeply connected to trees and have conversed with them for years. As far as the level of my accomplishment I am a rank beginner. I get an anchor as high as I can , clean up the tree if it needs it, then just enjoy at the top of my line. I sometimes go up and down a few times just for the conditioning of it, and to get more adapted to the feeling of the heights. I haven't yet set another tip in the tree. But I have been climnbing very regularly, weather permitting, even if it just for short times.
The combination of everything about this sport appeals to me. It is very much like a poem in a tree. Well I imagine I told you more then you needed to know. Thanks for the help. All the best Don Ps Where I live is on the top of a hill, but is flat on the top. My dream is to climb that 90ft. wild cherry tree behind my house. I think the view from there could be magnificent. I fantasize leaving and old line , like Peter said, and pulling up the working rope whenever I want to go to the top. Could be a fun daily vacation.

Jolly1, Thanks for the background stories. Now we know more about you and we can offer suggestions or answer your questions accordingly. Similar story here on how I got involved climbing trees (I needed to clean my trees), similar age 54 and Arthritis sufferer for 15 years myself, Climbing plus my Dr's treatment has it completely under control now. (In remission now.)
I have a relative in Nashua, NH so I may visit you one of these days when I go there in the warmer season. (I live in TX. That is like a whole other country!)

Nice selection of gear and Saddle from New Tribe. Peter's video is VERY good to perfect your climbing and to learn the basics. Probably better than the local arborist who sees you as potential competitor (not likely) but that is the way they think.

Sounds like you are at the point of rapid learning and improvement which will get better with more climbs and trying new ideas, confidence with tying knots, making transfers, redirects, etc. A lot of that is presented in the Tree Climbers Companion. Review Peter's Techniques a few times and your confidence will continue to grow. If you have a chance to meet other Recreational climbers ( Moss is near you in Boston and he is a great climber with lots of climbs taking place there. Hope to be able to meet you personally one of these days.
Make sure you inspect your trees carefully before climbing. We apparently do not impress enough that part to the new (and old) climbers alike. :_b_link__:

Climb Safe and stay Low and Slow at the start.

Oldtimer, You have an open invitation whenever you come north. You made me laugh out loud with the whole other country comment.
thanks for the encouragement. It would be great to climb with another person for many reasons. I am sure I would learn a lot. Good reminder about being picky about the trees I choose to climb. We have a lot in common, thanks for sharing. Enjoy that warmer weather down there. They do have trees in Texas right? :_b_link__: Those old cowboy movies made it look kind of flat. giggle. I am having withdrawals, it has been raining here for days now. All the best Jolly1

Hey there Jolly1!
Welcome to this wonderful world aloft!
I have a short comment to add. I have found that there is a "comfort level/pucker factor" that sets in for me at some point. In a Sycamore (tall & skinny here in KS) it happens at a lower height for me because it is more vertical. But in the wonderful, big, spreading branches of a Burr Oak, i am much more comfortable at greater heights, so i rarely feel that sensation in an Oak. For me, comfort level and pucker factor depends the tree.

I find tree climbing rather addictive. I climbed a beautiful Red Oak tonight and find myself wondering how i can get out of my 'obligations/plans' for tomorrow so i can go climb again.
This happens every time i go aloft. Kinda puts a new twist to AWOL!

I am a rec tree climber, also specializing in cranio-sacral therapy & myofascial release. I am planning to be in GA in Nov... wanna trade CST aloft???

Peace...
Becki
Wildhare
Kansas

Hi Becki, Thanks for sharing about the altitude issues. I did notice the first, shorter trees, I climbed were smaller and thinner, and I did feel like I was just hanging in space and not really climbing a tree. It was a nice change to get into a white pine with a few branches to fill in some of the space.
I think the program is full for November, I will check though. I know what you mean about becoming addicting. In a good way. Anytime we can get to trade would be great. I wonder what it would be like lying in a treeboat unwinding aloft. Good idea you have there. Enjoy Jolly1