I have a private Facebook group called JRB Tree Climbing and Saddle Hunting... for users of my method... in there, I maintain a "shopping list" announcement post. I am going to paste it here. If you read between the lines, there are a lot of nuggets in here which may be applicable to other situations or climbing techniques. I am not married to any rope or cord. I have done this on a dozen ropes including dynamic ones. I just keep the diameter ratios appropriate (75% is ideal) and can fine-tune friction hitches with an extra wrap.
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SHOPPING LIST for JRB Method
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This post contains the detailed 'shopping list' for creating the JRB Climbing System, as demonstrated on my YouTube Playlist, and will remain posted under the 'announcements' button, visible at the top of the group. The post is updated as new information becomes available. You can copy, paste, and print the text for your use, but not for redistribution. Disclaimer: Anyone choosing to climb using this system or any variations of it assumes responsibility for their own safety. Buy the right materials and inspect and replace components as per manufacturer recommendations or signs of wear.
ITEM #1: CLIMBING ROPE
Your life is literally on the line, so do not skimp. Rope MUST be rated for life safety applications, but does not necessarily need to be an 'arborist rope'. Tactical, canyoning and mountaineering ropes all can be used, provided they are rated appropriately. Before buying a rope not listed below, call and speak to somebody to be sure your rope is rated for the job, and ask questions here if you need help. I see plenty of "climbing ropes" on Amazon with low price tags which lack the ratings that come with a quality rope. LENGTH: 75ft is ideal for most. The rope needs to be touching the ground on both sides when it is strung over the highest crotch you will climb, so 75ft of rope will get you in a crotch a maximum of 37 feet up. TYPE: Static or low stretch ropes are generally preferred for tree climbing, and are intended for continuous loading, not for absorbing a fall. Dynamic climbing ropes can be used, and have better characteristics for fall absorption if the line is unloaded and might absorb a fall, but are more 'bouncy' to climb. COLOR: Avoid bright colors especially blue or white. ROPE DIAMETER: 8-11mm, up to you. Thicker is more bulk, but more to grip. JRB prefers a thinner, 8-9mm diameter with rationale: Our weight is being distributed on both sides, so the total rated strength of our system is double the rope rating, and a thinner diameter offers less bulk and plenty of strength. It also flows through the Garda smoothly compared to thick or stiff ropes. Specific ropes that JRB or other members have tested or used:
1. Sterling Super Static2 in 3/8" (9.5mm), available in a dark green.
https://sterlingrope.com/store/climb/ropes/static/superstatic2
2. Sterling OpLux in 8mm, one color only, lighter than ideal color.
https://sterlingrope.com/store/work/ropes/tactical-rope/oplux-tactical
3. Sterling CanyonLux in 8mm. Members are using. Awaiting feedback.
A revolutionary canyoneering rope made from 4 distinct fiber types, and coming in at a light and compact 8 mm diameter.
sterlingrope.com
Other ropes which are rated for the job. Let us know if you use them, and we'll move em up to the section above.
1. Sterling HTP is their lowest stretch static rope, multiple diameters/colors, stiff, typically used for SRT, and thick at 7/16 in or 11mm.
https://sterlingrope.com/store/work/ropes/tactical-rope/7-16-htp-tactical
2. Sterling WorkPro is available in 3/8", or 10mm in black, rugged, typically used in DdRT/MRS and SRT systems.
https://sterlingrope.com/store/work/ropes/static/workpro/10mm-workpro-work
3. Teufelberger Resc Tech in 8mm looks like it will perform the same as Oplux, but is rated even stronger, at 6525 lbs.
Lightweight and durable high-tech rope for tactical operations and rescue.
www.teufelberger.com
4. Teufelberger Platinum Protect, 10.5mm, 6300 lb rating, in Green or Black. Sheath is bonded to core, and bends well.
PLATINUM® Protect PES/PA is a static rope certified to EN 1891A and ideal for work at height.
www.teufelberger.com
5. Maxim Canyon Elite, 9mm, 6770 lb rating.
MAXIM Canyon Elite is a high-end rope for extreme canyoneering tours and features a dry treated nylon core with a cover of polyester.
www.maximropes.com
6. Maxim KM MAX III, 9.5 mm, 6070 lb rating, in black w/yellow.
MAXIM KM III Max is a well-balanced, low rotation and abrasion resistant static rope which is perfect for big wall hauling and caving.
www.maximropes.com
7. Maxim KM III, available in 8, 9, 10mm, in black:
MAXIM KM III is a great rope for rappelling, top roping, caving, rescue and fixed rope applications with a unique polyester cover.
www.maximropes.com
ITEM #2: UTILITY CORD, for the friction hitches. The cord MUST be rated for climbing applications; our lives are on the line. The diameter of the cord is chosen based on the rope diameter: 75% of the diameter of the rope is ideal. 25 ft in length recommended, gives some extra. Sterling products are available and recommended. Use:
* 6mm cord on an 8mm rope, a 75% ratio. With 6mm Sterling cord, a 5 wrap Michoacán was perfect. Note: 7mm Sterling cord is also used by JRB on 8mm Oplux rope, and the Michoacán hitch needed 5 or 6 wraps to hold adequately.
https://sterlingrope.com/store/work/cordage/accessory-cords/6mm-accessory-cord
* 7mm cord on an 9.5mm (3/8") rope, a 74% ratio, with the standard 4 or 5 wraps on the Michoacán.
https://sterlingrope.com/store/climb/cordage/accessory-cords/7mm-accessory-cord
* 8mm cord on a 11.1 (7/16") rope, a 72% ratio, 4 wraps. 8mm cord on an 11.5mm rope, a 70% ratio, 4 wraps.
https://sterlingrope.com/store/work/cordage/accessory-cords/8mm-accessory-cord
ITEM #3: WEBBING, 12 ft minimum, for double foot loop. Safety rating is not absolutely necessary, because our life is never dependent on our footloop, but should have at least a 1500lb breaking strength, so as a loop, it is 3000 lbs, more than 10x the working load. 1 inch polyester webbing in camo is available from multiple sources. I have not tried this one yet, but I love that you can buy it by the foot and it seems strong as hell.
https://www.uscargocontrol.com/1-4-5K-Polyester-Cargo-Webbing-Linear-Foot-Camo
ITEM #4: TWO D-style, 4inch, non-locking Carabiners, for Garda Hitch in Footloop. Fusion Climb Vapor makes a good model which works great in 8 to 9.5 mm rope. Locking beaners not recommended because lockers can prohibit proper binding because gates are typically thicker than the rest of the beaner. Thick or stiff ropes MAY require a bigger beaner.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KEDHVC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_M2SYFb33HY1KR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
ITEM #5: Two Caribiners for connection to saddle. I like Black Diamond Gridlock carabiners: because our hitches go slack during our climb, and it maintains proper orientation and is not prone to side-loading.
https://www.blackdiamondequipment.c...raws/gridlock-screwgate-BD2102780000ALL1.html
ITEM #6: At your discretion, if you want a redundant bridge, or a redundant saddle/harness, the details of how to construct that are up to you. Ensure it is engaged in a way to save you if anything else fails. Note: I plan a video on this next!
ITEM #7: Optional: you may want a Swivel on your system. JRB uses a PROND swivel on one saddle, and a Petzl Micro Swivel on another. Also used an "ISC Twister" (Supersafe) Carabiner which is a Swivel and beaner in one, so ya would only need one other beaner.
"ISC Twister Carabiner"
https://www.gmesupply.com/isc-twister-carabiner?item_id=IS-KH255SS
ITEM #8: 16 oz Arborist throw ball and at least 50ft of throw line.
ITEM #9: Paracord. Buy plenty, for leaving preset loops over a crotch on the many trees you may want to prepare in advance, so that you only need to work a throwball once per tree, and it remains rigged for years.
LINKS:
Sterling products can be purchased directly or via distributors. Ropes are not cut to custom size.
We offer three different families of static ropes, each with a distinct set of properties that excel in particular applications.
sterlingrope.com
sterlingrope.com
Note that Eastern Woods Outdoors sells many rope and cord products by the foot.
doublesteps.com