Tether instead of Linesman Belt for climbing with Sticks

[raisins]

I want to try finding a stiff rope for lineman that is easier to flip.

These floppy ropes are a pain.

Arborist community has tons of these, but they are expensive compared to rope. They are often a steel cable wrapped in rubber/plastic.

 

[kyler1945]

I haven’t read every post and this may have been mentioned already.
A linemen’s belt used properly your hands never leave the rope while it has slack in the line. The only time your hands leave the line is to do work (hang stick) once both feet are set and linemen’s rope is tight around back side of the tree and above waist level . Once the stick is secure your hands go back on the line and continue to climb. Flipping the rope up the tree as you go.
I think using sticks to climb we don’t use the belt as it was designed. If your placing your hands on the sticks to climb you will out run the rope and have slack in the rope which will fall lower than waist level which causes the safety issue.

This is the other reason I like climbing with bolts when I can. Posture, and all movements keep you in intimate contact with your lineman’s and the tree. I advance my lineman’s belt exactly as you described.

I think folks would get much more comfortable climbing if they were shown how to use the belt properly.

 

[bj139]

I want to try finding a stiff rope for lineman that is easier to flip.

These floppy ropes are a pain.

That's what she said.

Sorry couldn't resist the setup.

 

[Boomstick300]

With the shorter sticks I find it easier to use both so that’s how I climb. It’s one less step I have to do at height.


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[neonomad]

With the shorter sticks I find it easier to use both so that’s how I climb. It’s one less step I have to do at height.


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I started using both a month or so ago. I actually wear an RC harness under my JX3. I’m pretty good about keeping the lineman’s where it needs to be and find with some practice using both isn’t that much of a hassle. I go down to only one rope connected when going around branches (both the tether and the lineman’s have to pass), and when I switch lineman’s to secondary tether, otherwise I’m always double roped in. Pretty much all of this comes from not wanting to impale aluminum steps into something soft.

 

[robstewart]

I would be lying if I said I never unhook my lineman's and throw it over a branch

...

I seldom use anything but my lineman's belt for descending. Is it risky - yes probably, but I assume that risk after years of practice and familiarity with climbing with them.

I think it's reasonable to do things like that and I think we are all guilty of doing certain things for expedience. Maybe without thinking about it at the time.

BTW, I personally switched to rappelling down and removing my stuff as I go for the ease, speed and safety of it. I always hated coming down my tree in the dark until I switched to rappelling!