My customer base wouldn't know good rigging gear from kids toys. The finished product is the absolute only thing that has ever impressed my client base outside of honesty and timeliness.
As for putting on a show, swing about a bit, then let them watch the chipper till they're bored and go inside.
I find that the Big shot and the Sena helmets impres the clients more than anything else.
Of course the Sequoia/Redwood climbing pictures on my website is the real big hit.
You betcha!I love roaching an old line! It's a fitting death for a rope to go out like a rockstar.
This is what I meant in saying "when it's time for a block, its time for a block".Natural crotching has its place....especially on defective structures. But on large rigging removals, while a climber might get off to a good start, the result of all that friction can be come quite a handicap, and limit your options....if speed is the incentive of course. Well rounded climbers usually know when and when not to, without limiting to just one of either option. Nothing worse than watching a busy fool charging into a tree with a saw, trying to look fast, but making it look hard.
It's the same with climbing hardware and techniques available now days....more specifically for spurless. I can't think why any competitive climber would not take the time to embrace and master a more modern approach to the task. personally I couldnt comprehend the thought that I'd stopped evolving....that this is as good as it gets. Maybe it's a personal thing, or maybe it's forever trying to keep ahead of the competition....depending on what form and extent that competition exists.
Stig what's the website address? I would like to see pics of you climbing redwoods!
No, you can get most any tree done with just natural crotches. but in doing so you limit your options....that's all im saying. For example, if you're rigging just to avoid stuff at or just above ground level then crotches are just fine. But when the targets become higher like buildings and wires, then you might have a lot less clearance, or call it airspace between those obstacles and the limbs to be removed. At this stage of natural crotch rigging you may be forced to cut smaller, switch rigging points and generally make a meal of the job. It still gets done, mind. With blocks/rings, and the ability to preload and sometimes lift (winch or other m.a) you can gain 6, 7 feet of clearance before you even set about the limb with a saw. With such a strategy in mind a climber can move huge sections from one side of a tree to the other. Less climbing, less cutting, no switching rigging points, less swinging distance, less time spent. Re: tying a block and sling - it's a one minute job, two at the most. You set it, or them once and its done. Here in Victoria I've come across many who don't use lowering devices for the same reason....that it takes too long to set up apparently. They'd rather be walking back and forth around the trunk all day tripping over the rope. False economy is what it is. This is not directed at you Chris or anyone in particular....just elaborating on what I said earlier that a good climber should be able to look at a tree and forsee which strategy makes for the best time savings. If he or she is generally swapping and changing direction a whole lot then somethings wrong.Reg, I think we may be on different pages but I'm not sure. You think a block/ring is the way to go the majority of the time?
Sounds like we are very much on the same page. Each style has its place. Thanks for clarifying. I was scratching my head at the idea that maybe you used a block/ring for every single thing and that notion surprised me. I used to use a nylon sling and steel caribiner a lot for small rigging to create options that crotches didn't offer.
Check this thread: those are Sequoias, from our second trip. https://www.masterblasterhome.com/showthread.php?14693-Back-to-the-BIG-ones&highlight=back+sequoias
I am crying out for a winched LD and would benefit from it massively on the trees I get, and of course would use a block or two in conjunction. Sadly gravity is my only friend.
Fiddle block and a porty will get ya by for lifting, about a quarter of the cost of a GRCS.