Peterk1234
Well-Known Member
I never thought sewing could be so much fun. Sitdrag has been modified, although I will eventually add a second row of loops. My pouches should be here tomorrow, and I want to see how they feel before I do any more mods. I settled on a 32 inch fixed bridge. I would love to go a bit longer, but then I sacrifice some mobility around the tree. Tether at forehead and this bridge give me decent comfort and the ability to go anywhere around the tree ( I was testing on a 14 inch tree). I used a brummel splice and lock stitch splice per G2's vid. I buried as much rope as I could (about 13 inches) on the lock stitch side.
I ended up sewing the lineman's loops to the harness. I was going to just use water knots, but I wanted the loops to be at least attached to the harness for convenience purposes. I got two birds with one stone by sewing the loop to the harness. It feels rock solid when climbing the tree.
I placed eye splices in my tether and lineman's rope, and I feel confident with the soft shackle on one end of the lineman. It is strong, it is quiet and it is light. Biner used on the side that comes on and off though. I have a Ropeman 1 on the tether and lineman's rope.
All I have left is to make an aider that will be used on the RS aider setup. I will be going with the Wild Edge Steps. I have been playing with a pair of them for a week and they are so easy to setup. I think six with my furniture bracket platform will get me to 23 feet or so. Aider will probably be made from webbing because it will provide a wider/more comfortable aider than rope. I have been using rope to test the system, and it seems to work fine as well.
Thank you for everyone that posts on here about how they do things. With a bit of searching, I was able to find everything I needed to get this accomplished. I am still amazed how much comfort and security the sitdrag and rock climbing harness provide. Oh, and it is relatively inexpensive. And, man is it light; wow. The money saved will go towards the Steps.
Sitdrag: Used G2's idea of a strap and buckle to keep the thing in place. It is an absolute must, not just for walking, but for climbing. I was testing the sitdrag, trying to figure out the bridge length before I had added the straps. Man, what a bitch trying to keep it in place while climbing and setting up. The "belt" solved that problem. I used 1/4" amsteel for the bridge, although it looks a lot bigger because I buried as much line as possible.
Harness: Only mod was sewing on the loops. This webbing (sitdrag spare parts) goes all the way around the harness. It also goes through a load bearing gear loop at the back of the harness. I have climbed with it a few times and it is solid. The sewing may be ugly but it is strong. I also tested the harness by simulating a fall. I have a prusik knot on the tether that is clipped to the harness. Worked fine.
I ended up sewing the lineman's loops to the harness. I was going to just use water knots, but I wanted the loops to be at least attached to the harness for convenience purposes. I got two birds with one stone by sewing the loop to the harness. It feels rock solid when climbing the tree.
I placed eye splices in my tether and lineman's rope, and I feel confident with the soft shackle on one end of the lineman. It is strong, it is quiet and it is light. Biner used on the side that comes on and off though. I have a Ropeman 1 on the tether and lineman's rope.
All I have left is to make an aider that will be used on the RS aider setup. I will be going with the Wild Edge Steps. I have been playing with a pair of them for a week and they are so easy to setup. I think six with my furniture bracket platform will get me to 23 feet or so. Aider will probably be made from webbing because it will provide a wider/more comfortable aider than rope. I have been using rope to test the system, and it seems to work fine as well.
Thank you for everyone that posts on here about how they do things. With a bit of searching, I was able to find everything I needed to get this accomplished. I am still amazed how much comfort and security the sitdrag and rock climbing harness provide. Oh, and it is relatively inexpensive. And, man is it light; wow. The money saved will go towards the Steps.
Sitdrag: Used G2's idea of a strap and buckle to keep the thing in place. It is an absolute must, not just for walking, but for climbing. I was testing the sitdrag, trying to figure out the bridge length before I had added the straps. Man, what a bitch trying to keep it in place while climbing and setting up. The "belt" solved that problem. I used 1/4" amsteel for the bridge, although it looks a lot bigger because I buried as much line as possible.
Harness: Only mod was sewing on the loops. This webbing (sitdrag spare parts) goes all the way around the harness. It also goes through a load bearing gear loop at the back of the harness. I have climbed with it a few times and it is solid. The sewing may be ugly but it is strong. I also tested the harness by simulating a fall. I have a prusik knot on the tether that is clipped to the harness. Worked fine.
