Railroader
Billy’s Security Guard.
I began my climber career with Baker types we made in shop class at school in about 1980 or so. Dad felt sorry for me hugging and hunching, and got me a store bought chinning bar.
I was in business.
Next up was the Warren/Sweat blade type-tree facing-crotch busting-stand up sit down death trap.
Moved on to Tom Cats 1 and 2, War Hulk, Tree Lounge, and Gunslinger.
Climbed a bajillion trees, and never had a safety system of any kind.
Other than Dad telling me in the beginning that this was extremely dangerous stuff, and if I screwed up and didn't pay attention, I would probably be dead.
Then he turned me loose with the home made Baker Type.
Then came the Summit Viper which has to be the best and safest climber ever. Been using them occasionally for years, but it so happens that this year, they are all I have used. Been up and down at least two dozen times already.
I'm getting old, and if I DID get hurt, it would take a long time to heal up...I got some folks who depend on me, so it's time to take some precaution, and commit to using it.
So, here's my plan. I am just putting it out there, as food for thought for those like me who have been climbing naked, and risking a fall.
I got me a rescue belt easily found for $20 on amazon. Back in the day, I rappelled off the Bunn Bldg in Waycross (seven stories) several times with one of these, just to show it was safe to do if necessary, during SWAT and SAR training. So I trust the belt just fine. It will be the belt that holds my hunting pants up, so it will always be there.
Got me a real carabiner, and a length of real static climbing rope. Looped at each end, it's about 6-7 feet long.
Slip a loop around the tree, clip the 'biner to the belt and rope, done.
Up and down with the climber, only a foot or two of slack. NO WAY to exit the climber in any case.
Safe, simple, one thing to keep up with, and the rope will make a nice deer drag.
Is this method approved by anyone? Nope, but it doesn't have to be. Will it provide a needed safety addition. Absolutely.
If you want a high tech, high dollar, hard to use, and remember all the adjustments and parts for, great. Just make sure you don't forget something and climb anyway, or it's all for naught.
I have come up with a system for ME, that I don't have to think about. I always wear a belt, and I always have some rope in my bag. Couple of small upgrades and a carabiner, and I have made my climbing safer, for me.
Whether you like my plan or not is fine with me, it's my plan and it'll work.
I'm just asking everyone to make their own plan and commit to using it.
Be safe, y'all.
I was in business.
Next up was the Warren/Sweat blade type-tree facing-crotch busting-stand up sit down death trap.
Moved on to Tom Cats 1 and 2, War Hulk, Tree Lounge, and Gunslinger.
Climbed a bajillion trees, and never had a safety system of any kind.
Other than Dad telling me in the beginning that this was extremely dangerous stuff, and if I screwed up and didn't pay attention, I would probably be dead.
Then he turned me loose with the home made Baker Type.
Then came the Summit Viper which has to be the best and safest climber ever. Been using them occasionally for years, but it so happens that this year, they are all I have used. Been up and down at least two dozen times already.
I'm getting old, and if I DID get hurt, it would take a long time to heal up...I got some folks who depend on me, so it's time to take some precaution, and commit to using it.
So, here's my plan. I am just putting it out there, as food for thought for those like me who have been climbing naked, and risking a fall.
I got me a rescue belt easily found for $20 on amazon. Back in the day, I rappelled off the Bunn Bldg in Waycross (seven stories) several times with one of these, just to show it was safe to do if necessary, during SWAT and SAR training. So I trust the belt just fine. It will be the belt that holds my hunting pants up, so it will always be there.
Got me a real carabiner, and a length of real static climbing rope. Looped at each end, it's about 6-7 feet long.
Slip a loop around the tree, clip the 'biner to the belt and rope, done.
Up and down with the climber, only a foot or two of slack. NO WAY to exit the climber in any case.
Safe, simple, one thing to keep up with, and the rope will make a nice deer drag.
Is this method approved by anyone? Nope, but it doesn't have to be. Will it provide a needed safety addition. Absolutely.
If you want a high tech, high dollar, hard to use, and remember all the adjustments and parts for, great. Just make sure you don't forget something and climb anyway, or it's all for naught.
I have come up with a system for ME, that I don't have to think about. I always wear a belt, and I always have some rope in my bag. Couple of small upgrades and a carabiner, and I have made my climbing safer, for me.
Whether you like my plan or not is fine with me, it's my plan and it'll work.
I'm just asking everyone to make their own plan and commit to using it.
Be safe, y'all.