Getting around limbs

[SaddleUpPartner!]

I found a really good spot recently that overlooks a crab apple tree(at least I think it's a crab apple tree) but the tree I climbed is a huge maple tree with tons of big limbs to put my sticks around. I lobbed off some of the smaller limbs but the big ones I obviously have to climb around. How do you guys climb around big limbs with a lineman's belt? You don't unhook do you?

 

[BayouBeauxhunter]

Use tether as second linesman belt.

 

[shwacker]

I use my tether as my lineman’s belt, then have a piece of daisy chain 7/64 amsteel that I attach to cross limbs. Much lighter and less bulk than carrying a lineman’s belt plus the tether


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[JBDaddy]

So far the comments are right, but don't state the obvious... You run a 2nd lineman's belt around the tree, OVER the branch, the disconnect the original that's stuck under it. You can swap them back if the 2nd is your tether and you'll need to connect it further up, or you can just keep going with the alternate - whatever works for you.

 

[Nutterbuster]

I'm guilty of unhooking occasionally, especially on small trees and low limbs. But I generally tether in with my webbing tether, and then unclip my linemans and move it up and over.

 

[Cbinderjr]

Depends on the tree and my foot placement, I will sometimes completely unhook other times I use my tether as a linesman belt.
On trees with a load of limbs I'm guilty of only using it when I am setting a new stick or my platform.

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[raisins]

I am always tethered to the tree in addition to using my lineman's belt. I am amazed that more people don't do this. It adds maybe 5 minutes to your climb while making it several orders of magnitude more safe.

I have a carabiner on the end of my tether so I can use that to quick connect and disconnect the tether. I use a screw lock 'biner and always lock it. I use a scaffold knot to help keep rope on the correct side.

To keep the 'biner'd tether from sliding down the tree, I have a triple fisherman's knot around the tether that is not connected to anything. This is just a little nub I can slide down the rope to trap the 'biner against the tree and make it tight. The tag end of this slider knot is triple wrapped with gorilla duct tape on the side that hits 'biner to make it stiff and grab 'biner.

When I hit a branch, I disconnect my tether and move it around the branch. I then grab the tree, disconnect my lineman's belt and move it up with the tether.

 

[Cbinderjr]

I am always tethered to the tree in addition to using my lineman's belt. I am amazed that more people don't do this. It adds maybe 5 minutes to your climb while making it several orders of magnitude more safe.

I have a carabiner on the end of my tether so I can use that to quick connect and disconnect the tether. I use a screw lock 'biner and always lock it. I use a scaffold knot to help keep rope on the correct side.

To keep the 'biner'd tether from sliding down the tree, I have a triple fisherman's knot around the tether that is not connected to anything. This is just a little nub I can slide down the rope to trap the 'biner against the tree and make it tight. The tag end of this slider knot is triple wrapped with gorilla duct tape on the side that hits 'biner to make it stiff and grab 'biner.

When I hit a branch, I disconnect my tether and move it around the branch. I then grab the tree, disconnect my lineman's belt and move it up with the tether.

You could be potentially side loading a caribiner using this method which reduces its strength by A LOT.. much safer to use a screw link or delta link if you are looking for a quick attach/detach for going around limbs..


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[Sandor27]

I use a prusik to prevent cross loading. Also prevents tether from opening up and sliding down the tree.

 

[raisins]

You could be potentially side loading a caribiner using this method which reduces its strength by A LOT.. much safer to use a screw link or delta link if you are looking for a quick attach/detach for going around limbs..


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Why is a screw gate safer when cross loaded?

 

[Cbinderjr]

Why is a screw gate safer when cross loaded?

Not 100% sure but I think the reason is that a screw link is stronger and when the link is screwed closed it becomes semi permanent

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[peteherbst]

View attachment 11927I use a prusik to prevent cross loading. Also prevents tether from opening up and sliding down the tree.

I typically have just used my tether as a second lineman’s belt. But this has me thinking. If you had a prussic with a ropeman, you could attach a second biner to the prussic and attach it on the top side of the branch to your lineman’s loop and then unhook the first hookup.

Anyone following me on that?

 

[dalton916]

I didn’t, but I quit paying a lot of attention when I got to “Ropeman”, hate those things.

I just hook up my lineman’s below the limb then move my tether above it.

 

[Matt1336]

I’m unhooked at times. IMO monkey’n around with two linesman belts and trying to be hooked in at all times can put you at more risk. Just climb the tree. Stick with the three points of contact rule and you’re gonna be fine. There’s always a risk. Sometimes you just have to do it.

 

[bow shot]

Amen