pete mctree
Treehouser
I do that on a regular basis. Small pieces, when there is no need to set up a block, or a single leader. It's how I started rigging like Ed.
Old School: Negative blocking without a block
- Thread starter mistahbenn
- Start date
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Joezilla11
TreeHouser
Does your colleague keep u warm on those cold nights?
Mick!
TreeHouser
Ha ha, still not too cold here near Bordeaux. Still hitting double figures during the day.
squisher
THE CALM ONE!!!!
That's how it's normally done, with the notched rigging point below the climber? Seems like it would make sense so if the rig line came out it wouldn't wipe the climber off their feet but at the same time it makes for a long drop? I guess you'd get a feel for if the spar is rotten or not when you notched it and climbed by it?
I can see it working I guess but it sure looks dicey to me.
I can see it working I guess but it sure looks dicey to me.
Burnham
Woods walker
Old skool, bigtime. Seen it done a few times, shook my head and vowed "never".
Great visual, btw!
Great visual, btw!
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
I'd break out a piece of rope and a biner/snap/shackle.
Mick!
TreeHouser
Usually the rigging point would be just below the lanyard of the climber, like the pulley set up really, it's just that Pompey the bear doesn't do scale very well. Plus he looks terrified which has put you off a bit!
In a work situation were it to slip it would knock your spikes out on the way through and no other damage. Except for the mess below!
squisher
THE CALM ONE!!!!
I follow ya now. Even 'just knocking your spikes out' seems like it would be pretty damn violent or potential for some injury. I mean your spurs are set firmly at that point in the process. I believe it's done, but it'll never happen by me.
Mick!
TreeHouser
It's funny when you think they used to teach this stuff at college, it's not like pulleys are new technology! These days I only do it for skinny tops etc leave the big stuff to the bear, I'm no nutter!
squisher
THE CALM ONE!!!!
Lol. The bear was looking dead calm. You could tell it wasn't his first time.
flushcut
TreeHouser
That's some funny sh@T right there with the bear! That is what I have seen and you can just smell the burnt wood and rope.
FJR
Treehouser
That picture made my day. That is how I was taught, and I remember snapping a line or two with some absurd loads which was foolish on my part. Trunk wraps, no blocks, and a taut line hitch... I am glad I did it, but I am also glad those days are well in the past.
flushcut
TreeHouser
Gone but not forgotten! Good to see you are inside Fred it is just cold outside.
FJR
Treehouser
Yeah I just got in around 3, it is pretty damn cold out there. Does your face feel like it's made out of leather too after today?
flushcut
TreeHouser
It did yesterday it burned, I am pretty sure it was the first sign of frostbite. I was only out there for a few hours today tending the burn pile.
Thor's Hammer
Wolfish. Sometimes Bites.
I must have done that technique hundreds of times with never a slip or problem. Used to mostly use a little stub to hold the rope rather than a notch.
squisher
THE CALM ONE!!!!
So in practice it just sets in the notch/stub really tightly and consistently? Not much likelihood of slippage or coming out? The friction seems like it must be brutal.
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Burnham
Woods walker
Well, if Ed and Pete say it's pretty SOP for them, I'll take that under consideration...
but having now done so, I have decided to retreat to my earlier position. Not for me, no way no how
.
but having now done so, I have decided to retreat to my earlier position. Not for me, no way no how
.
CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
Love the bear! 
I would imagine 3 strand being the shit on a run across wood like that.
Not something I would do though.. have blocks and slings... They work peachy and the rope runs very nice with a lot less wear...
I would imagine 3 strand being the shit on a run across wood like that.
Not something I would do though.. have blocks and slings... They work peachy and the rope runs very nice with a lot less wear...
Tucker943
Bamboo Plantation Owner
If you nip out the corners of the notch you make, it reduces the friction a lot. Kind of like if you've ever been working a spar and had to get down Ddrt, without something to tie into. Just cut an upright pointing notch in the backside and round out the corners. I don't make a habit of any of these practices, but they've come into place a time or so.
And if you take ALOT of time and make the notching/groove around 1/2 the tree's circumference at the same angle the loaded rope will hang to, and make it smooth, it's not so bad on the rope, but, why bother when you have a block?
flushcut
TreeHouser
I like stubs for natty crotch.
Tucker943
Bamboo Plantation Owner
Don't look that far into it my friend. Its one of those things that can be done in a pinch, not as a habit. For instance, one log has to be lowered before the whole spar can be dumped into a backyard, and the block is MIA. Just a trick to keep in your mind, if in a pinch.
