Safety Rope Source

[VTer]

I use tree climbing rope that I bought from WesSpur Tree Equipment. I've used 2 different mainline types. The Bandit was a green camo looking rope, which is a 7/16" double braid climbing rope, with a 5600# breaking strength. I also tried there largest accesory cord which is 9mm and has a 4300# breaking strength and is black in color. I use 30' lengths on each treestand set-up and when you buy 120-180' at a time, it can be relatively cheap. Team up with some other guys and you can buy a lot. Wes Spur also sells any other tree climbing gear you can imagine as I imagine most any other tree climbing place will.

[joe ashton]

I'm hoping I get my next one for X-mas.  I put it on my list for the kids to get. $19 a Calelas

[Tox]

If your using static kermantle rope you would have to make sure you limit the fall potential to next to nothing. Keep in mind even a fall of 2 feet would exert roughly 2500 pounds of force to the system and your body. Dynamic kermantle rope roughly cuts that down by 50% because of its ability to stretch. We use static kermantle rope in high angle rescue situations because a shock load is never exerted on the rope.
I would never use any substance on a rope to lock in a knot, you don't know what effect it has on the rope and never use used rope. Your trusting your life to a rope you have no history about.

[DustinNWA]

I second most of the suggestions on climbing gear. Just like getting started in traditional archery, talk to someone at a local shop like REI that sells climbing gear. Explain your exact need and they can be very helpful. Ascenders like the Petzel, Black Diamond, Jumar, etc... can be expensive, but having done single rope ascending in caves and up overhangs, they are worth every penny.
NEVER buy used climbing gear. You do not *know* the history of the item. Carabiners can develop microscopic cracks if mishandled, a dynamic rope is considered done after a climb with a fall. Pretty much every climbing magazine, website, and climber I know agree on this 100%

[Fletcher]

Thanks for the source, Eric.  I ordered four of the Safetree Hunt Systems rigs plus the long prussic rope and they should be here tomorrow or Friday.  My wife is gonna be more comfortable now; me too.

[Kentucky Jeff]

Originally posted by DustinNWA:
I second most of the suggestions on climbing gear. Just like getting started in traditional archery, talk to someone at a local shop like REI that sells climbing gear. Explain your exact need and they can be very helpful. Ascenders like the Petzel, Black Diamond, Jumar, etc... can be expensive, but having done single rope ascending in caves and up overhangs, they are worth every penny.
NEVER buy used climbing gear. You do not *know* the history of the item. Carabiners can develop microscopic cracks if mishandled, a dynamic rope is considered done after a climb with a fall. Pretty much every climbing magazine, website, and climber I know agree on this 100%

Most dynamic ropes are rated for a number of falls of a specific type.   I've never seen a climbing rope maker that would sell or even advertise a rope only rated for one fall....What would you do if  you were in the middle of a multi-pitch climb and suffered a fall?  Call for rescue?  Of course not.  Assuming nobody got hurt you keep climbing.  Even the cheaper ropes are rated for 5 or 6 falls.

Of course, not all falls are equal.  For example if you top rope a climber and he comes off the face and the rope is relatively taut its not really considered a fall.  But someone who falls 10-15 feet in a bottom belay situation would obviously be considered a fall.  But nobody I've ever climbed with would trash a decent dynamic rope after only one or two falls unless they were REALLY extreme--like 70 or 80 feet!

[Tree Rat]

I cannot suggest Safe Tree Systems strongly enough.

I was on the same cheap "buy your own rope" quest 6 or 8 years ago. Found STS was within a couple bucks of the raw materials.

I have five. One for every hang on stand I have.

Bonus - (for me) Jim is local and a member of my club.

[DustinNWA]

Originally posted by Kentucky Jeff:
 

Originally posted by DustinNWA:
I second most of the suggestions on climbing gear. Just like getting started in traditional archery, talk to someone at a local shop like REI that sells climbing gear. Explain your exact need and they can be very helpful. Ascenders like the Petzel, Black Diamond, Jumar, etc... can be expensive, but having done single rope ascending in caves and up overhangs, they are worth every penny.
NEVER buy used climbing gear. You do not *know* the history of the item. Carabiners can develop microscopic cracks if mishandled, a dynamic rope is considered done after a climb with a fall. Pretty much every climbing magazine, website, and climber I know agree on this 100%

Most dynamic ropes are rated for a number of falls of a specific type.   I've never seen a climbing rope maker that would sell or even advertise a rope only rated for one fall....What would you do if  you were in the middle of a multi-pitch climb and suffered a fall?  Call for rescue?  Of course not.  Assuming nobody got hurt you keep climbing.  Even the cheaper ropes are rated for 5 or 6 falls.

Of course, not all falls are equal.  For example if you top rope a climber and he comes off the face and the rope is relatively taut its not really considered a fall.  But someone who falls 10-15 feet in a bottom belay situation would obviously be considered a fall.  But nobody I've ever climbed with would trash a decent dynamic rope after only one or two falls unless they were REALLY extreme--like 70 or 80 feet! [/b]

Thanks for clarifying a bit. I was stating that for used gear specifically. Of course a climb with a fall does not get called in for SAR, but most if my old climbing friends back home are dead serious about retiring ropes. I was not a good climber (which is why I mainly do SRT on anything above a 5.3 or 5.4) so I was even more cautious with dynamic ropes. My statement on the 100% agreement was directed at used gear. Granted if you are really good friend with said seller you could get some good stuff, but why risk it?
One of my goals in life is to get the Cabelas and REI crowds to learn from each other, so sometimes I get a bit "over-enthusiastic".

[tippit]

I use 30 feet of 11mm static climbing rope and carry two prusik loops in my pocket of 5mm just incase...but it is a lot of work to go up/down a line with prusik loops or ascenders especially if you might be injured. The GriGri self belaying devise is one hand on a lever to lower yourself down.  

Whatever system you use practice actually lowering yourself from a hanging position a few feet off the ground so you really know what to do in case of a fall!..tippit

[Fletcher]

My four STHS ropes arrived yesterday and I put one in the stand I hunted this morning.  I think I'm gonna like this type setup.    

Tippit's rig with the descender looks great, too.

[Flatshooter]

I second the recommendation for the Safe Tree system! I bought six for all my stands and never worry about an accident. I'm secure from the moment I take my first step up the tree. I always check for possible damage from squirrels and take the ropes down at the end of the season to avoid UV damage over the summer months.

[Jack Whitmire Jr]

I researched this BIG TIME about a year ago. What I found was that by the time you paid shipping and bought eveythig you were better off with the following ;

Hunter safety systems - lifeline

[Fletcher]

After checking out the HSS, Summit SOP and STHS lifelines, I feel the STHS is by far the best rope and system.  It uses Bluewater Assualt Line climbing rope and purpose made prusik cord.  The prusik grabs hard and fast yet slides easily.  None of them are "cheap", but four of the STHS rigs shipped to my house were much less than the other two brands even before tax or shipping.

[Hawkeye]

Mobility challenges have made me retire from tree steps and hanging stands, and now I am either on the ground or cautiously up a ladder stand.

I have invested in a Rescue CDS system, and hope to convert to first-step-off-the-ground safety.  How does this translate to a ladder stand?

If you tie the bottom to the tree, there would have to be a good amount of slack.  If you tie off to the ladder bottom, seems like it could cause a Tarzan-like swing back into the tree.

Thought I'd rather ask than find out the hard way!

Daryl