Tree Safety Rope Question

[Bowshot]

I use 7mm prussik cord on 11mm line
      8mm prussik cord on 12.5mm line

the larger the difference in line sizes is what makes the prussik more effective in gripping

Terry

[awishanew]

Be careful not to tie your line too tight while tieing it to the base of the tree or your ladder. The prussic works because the line the knot is on must be loose.

[Hill Hunter]

Originally posted by J-KID:
I know how to tie a Prusik.  Maybe I'll tie a line off high and bring it straight down and tie it off right above my seat with the Prusik at the seat.  I ca then hook up before climbing the rest of the way up.

The summit instructions say to tie a knot below the Prusik so it can't slip past it.  That is in addition to the knot at the end of the safety rope.  Doesn't inspire confidence.

no knot up high it is on the end to keep the prussic from slipping off, the system is to keep you hooked from the ground up and back. tie at the bottom of ladder and hook to it while on the ground and don't take it loose until you are back on the ground.

[Dave Lay]

i also use a SOP but changed to using 2 ropes so I am always attatched to the tree ,when i get to a limb or the stand i swap ropes, i use tree gaffs quite a bit when not using ladders, and that keeps me with a rope on the tree even going around the stand going in or out of it, i chunked the sop rope and am using a smaller diamater climbing rope and a prusik also out of a smaller diamater but higher capacity, with aluminumn lockable carabiners, i saved weight and have a stronger safer set up. a few years ago I fell 18 feet and take every precaution i can now. i was lucky to walk away from that fall.

[J-KID]

Originally posted by Dave Lay:
i chunked the sop rope and am using a smaller diamater climbing rope and a prusik also out of a smaller diamater but higher capacity, with aluminumn lockable carabiners, i saved weight and have a stronger safer set up. a few years ago I fell 18 feet and take every precaution i can now. i was lucky to walk away from that fall.

Dave,
Where is the best place online to purchase the aluminum lockable carabiners and smaller diameter rope.  Also, what diameter/type rope did you get for mainline and Prusik?

[bowmaster12]

another option is HSS sells extra either ropes or belts that you leave in your trees so no matter wat stand (if u have multiple) you go to there is a place to clip in dont need to bring it with you all the time.  The strap model gets strapped to the tree and has the caribiner on it already so you would just hook up very easy and really nice to not have to brin gin and out every time

[Steve O]

If you guys with these setups to stay hooked up from the ground all the way to your seat could post a few pics of your setup, that would be VERY helpful    

[Dave Lay]

i bought the rope and carabiners at a outdoor speciality shop that handles climbing,and hiking gear, not sure of the diamiater but i told the fellow in the store what i was doing, he had all the rope specs and i am way below the rated capacity and am using quite a bit smaller rope than SOP uses,  i will try to edit in pics of the rope.. i use two of these and stay connected at all times..  you will notice i have the open end of the carabiner painted yellow, that is just to be sure i have it turned correctly when opening it..
 
 

[HB3]

I am not sure about the prussic knot, it wants to slip on a already rigged safety rope I bought. I started using a Petzel Tibloc on my harness, simple piece of equipment climbers use with no moving parts, really works well. I tie my rope to the bottom of the tree or ladder stand and the top, then I am hooked in all the way.

[Whip]

Originally posted by J-KID:
 

Originally posted by Shaun:
Climbing and transitioning from the stand to climbing are the two most dangerous times for falls. Be safe, install and use the full system.

Think about all the ladders we climb without safety ropes and harnesses.  We carry up stuff to clean gutters, gallons of paint and bundles of shingles!

I agree that the dangerous part is the last few steps and transitioning to the platform.  I'll rig up so I can tie off before the transition.  Believe me, I know I am as vulnerable as the next guy to a fall and that is why I wear a full body harness and am questioning a static connection over the Prusik.  I don't want to fall someday and discover the Prusik sliiiiiips.....................! [/b]

I use the line all the way to the ground on all of my stands.  Most of them are ladder stands, and yes, at first it did seems like overkill.  But no matter how safe it might seem, stuff happens when climbing ladders in the dark, sometimes while the steps are wet or even ice covered.  Heck, all it takes is one slip and you are on the ground wondering what happened.

I decided that the cost of a rope all the way to the ground was cheap insurance for that one time I might end up as a clutz.  Why take a chance when it is so easy to be safe.

[J-KID]

Good point about the dark and ice Whip.  I'm going to give the full length rope a try on one of my stands.  I wish someone would give specifics on type and diameter of ropes (mainline and Prusik) to buy as I can't find a local store that carries climbing equipment.

[stalkin4elk]

j-KID Try rei.com expert advice section. Spec sheets are on the site also. Specific climbing gear is much higher grade than hardware stuff as a rule.DO NOT reduce your rope diameter without KNOWING the specs and weight ratings. Also there are lots of climbing magazines at the stores with useful articles that can apply to hunting. You tube has how to videos for most knots ever thought of that you can find in their search.

[J-KID]

I'll check out REI.  I have some rope that "appears" to be similar, however, I don't want to use anything that is not specifically made for the purpose (that includes hardware store varieties).  I got the knot app mentioned earlier so knots will be easy.

I've been researching the Prusik knot on the Internet and reading actual scientific research articles written on the characteristics of the Prusik.  There appear to be many conditions which can cause the Prusik to fail including rope material, rope stiffness, ropes that are exposed to below freezing temps, rope diameter ratio of main line to Prusik, etc.  I'll ask the experts at REI and also ask about alternatives.

[J-KID]

I found some  specifics for main line and Pursik cord diameters.
I ordered my supplies through Eastern Mountain Sports as they had the best prices with everything in the store at 20% off.

Sterling Static Line, Black, 7/16 (11mm), 8,000 lb., $.76 per foot
Sterling Accessory Cord, Red, 8mm, 3,300 lb., $.48 per foot
Petzel am'D Triact Lock Carabiner (2.6 oz., fast auto lock), Black with gold coupler, $13.56
(much lighter than one supplied with SOP harness and fast secure lockup)

Hope this helps someone looking to set up their own safety ropes at multiple locations.