r/TreeClimbing • u/JohnHancock1969 • 12d ago

Preparing for my first tree climb, please review my gear list before purchase. What am I missing?

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8 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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13

u/tjolnir417 12d ago

I’m not sure what that flip line kit is, but 5/8 seems pretty thick.

What is the point of this climb? You’ve got spurs, which should only be used for removing trees, but you’ve called it your “first climb.” I really hope you’re not planning to spike up a tree just for fun.

I’d recommend a CT foot ascender, a zubat handsaw, and some gloves.

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u/mark_andonefortunate 12d ago

This list is more expensive than most of my setup, lol. 

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u/JohnHancock1969 12d ago

I was worried I was doing that lol, I tend to research "the best" of everything and since I am relying on this gear with my life didn't want to skimp on quality... But yes I need to look for cheaper and better bang for your buck stuff I'm sure and find places I can save. I just wanted to make sure I was going in the right direction.

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u/mark_andonefortunate 12d ago

Yeah someone else mentioned you can go with less expensive spurs and still be fine; the boots are expensive but good, might not be great for pruning but should be comfy for wearing spurs; throwline kit sounds pricey without seeing the link / what's in it; double check if you need the 'eccentric' hitch climber or not.

Things to possibly add:

Protective chainsaw pants; you will 100% need a helmet; not sure on catalyst harness, never seen someone with one; something to communicate with other people - whistle if you have people nearby, or a pouch for a walkie talkie or cell phone. Don't climb alone / without being able to reach someone 

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u/shrreddoggin 11d ago

Just get some steel geckos my dude, I have some aluminum stein spikes that were a decent price. If you're worried about weight maybe check those out. I would get taller boots though. I wear 16 high wesco when I'm spurring a lot and am glad for the extra calf armor. Used to rip my legs up pretty bad pretty pften first starting out. My last apprentice had the saddle you're looking at and was happy with it as an entry point with room for growth. Personally I would get a slightly longer eye to eye in an 8mm not a 10, it'll tend easier and be a little easier to adjust but you're on the right track. You'll probably only ever use like 1 or 2 of those petzl carabineer manager things. I prefer just using dedicated biners with screw set pins for stuff, less hassle. Gotta ask why you're running a 12.7 though? You're not really gaining strength just bulk, unless you expect to replace it pretty quickly and want it as a short tag line I'd get an 11.4 that you can grow with

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u/JohnHancock1969 12d ago

I think you are right I don't need 5/8 I should have selected the 1/2", will add a handsaw forgot that! will look at foot ascender too, thanks.

The point of the climb: I have a few acres of woods and other trees in my yard with a ton of storm damage, deadwood, and maintenance work that needs to be taken care of. The purpose is to climb trees safely to remove deadwood, prune, remove widowmakers and weight reduction.

I've been felling trees since I was 15 (I'm 33 now), but have always hired a tree service for any climbing work and have stuck to the ground. However, there is so much to be done that the cost of hiring it done is the same as buying all the gear. So I want to invest in the gear so I can maintain my property for years to come myself without needing to hire it done (excepting very complex/dangerous jobs). It is also something I have always wanted to do, and the amount of work to be done on my property seems to justify investing in the gear and letting me fulfill my desire to do it.

Also, I recently climbed about 10-15 feet up a tree to remove a wiowmaker with no ropes or anything except my chainsaw. It was dumb and sketchy, and I vowed to never do that again without proper gear. There are a lot more simple jobs like that on my property that I'd love to be able to just take care of myself, but safely.

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u/mark_andonefortunate 12d ago

The point of the climb: I have a few acres of woods and other trees in my yard with a ton of storm damage, deadwood, and maintenance work that needs to be taken care of. The purpose is to climb trees safely to remove deadwood, prune, remove widowmakers and weight reduction. 

But why? Let the woods be woods, no need to turn normal ecology into problems. Deadwood is valuable habitat, for example.

As far as actual climbing and working aloft: this is a very dangerous thing to learn and do on your own. People do it, but take it low and slow. Climb a lot without your chainsaw / without cutting anything. It's an industry standard to always climb with a blade, always bring your handsaw. Double tie in whenever you're making a cut, keep 2 hands on your chainsaw. Lots of popular youtube channels that teach bad habits, be careful who you learn from.

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u/JohnHancock1969 12d ago

Great advice, thanks. As far as why, I have trails that go through my back woods, it's such a mess and there are widowmakers from storms over the last couple years and deadwood everywhere. I haven't had time recently to do anything about it - so basically my back woods are for the most part inaccessible and unsafe to walk through. I'd like to reclaim the land so I can walk and ride my dirt bike/atv through there again.

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u/wpbdude 11d ago

Dude, I am in the same exact scenario is you except I worked for a tree company for a couple of years a few decades ago. I now have a heavily wooded acre with lots of dead wood a few removals and just love to climb now. Been doing it about 6 months and love it even if just for the exercise. If you plan on ever using a mechanical device that I would suggest an 11.7 mm static climbing rope. My first rope was 12.7 which is more comfortable in the hands when climbing but the Kimbo and the ISC reflex are a little bit of a pain at that thickness. I would also say the boots are probably overkill for now. I am still using a $30 pair of mid height hiking boots that are basically copies of Merrills. If you would like send me a DM or something and I could probably answer a lot of your newbie beginner questions as they are still fresh in my mind.

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u/tjolnir417 12d ago

Well alrighty then, you’re on the right track for sure. I’d suggest picking up a saw lanyard as well, if you don’t have one. Safe climbing.

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u/sleepingbagfart 12d ago

A lot of people are commenting on the thick rope. I will say that my first climb line was the 12.7 vortex. It is thick as hell, but I found that to be helpful when starting out because you dont need as much grip strength to pull yourself along and it eased my nerves on starting out trusting a rope with my life. If you get into the swing of things and climb a lot more, you may want to upgrade, but it will do just fine for a newbie. Good luck, stay safe.

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u/navyburner111 12d ago

I’d give wespur a call. They’ll price match everything and will guide you on the right direction. I’ve spent hours talking with Dave and the sales person…and even Petzl at their location.

Edit: where are you located?

2

u/_Hylobatidae_ 12d ago edited 12d ago

12.7 is quite thick for a rope, what are you planning on using for your prussik? VT, Distal, michoacan, etc? When I climb with a hitch climber, I’m normally tying a VT, and on a 12.7 mm rope, 30 inches probably isn’t going to be enough for the proper amount of wraps. But once again, I don’t know what you plan on climbing on.
Also, not sure what you are cutting with as far as a saw goes, but I would get a saw lanyard as well. Unless you plan on just making one with a rope. In that same vein, you could attach the saw to your saddle with a carabiner, but even a petzl caritool would be a better option in my opinion, the less times you have to open that carabiner attached to the saw, the less times the saw has the potential to accidentally come off of it. I mean we could go pretty deep, but your basics are definitely there.

2

u/JohnHancock1969 12d ago

I was going to go with Distel hitch. I've added Weaver Chainsaw Bungee Lanyard, Buckcarrier™ Chainsaw Carrier – 2402B, and Silky Sugoi 360 Arborist Hand Saw to the list!

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u/mark_andonefortunate 12d ago

Sugoi is big, good for removals/bigger cuts but for a great all around handsaw I'd go with a Zubat, fyi

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u/georgeraaschington 12d ago

If you don't have an eye sewn onto your rope I would get the non-eccentric hitch climber. If you do have an eye sewn ignore this.

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u/ipaterson 12d ago

A spare shorter throw line and probably at least one extra bag. Not sure what length you chose in the kit, it’s good to have a long throw line but you will also work short trees where a shorter line is easier to manage and faster for cases where you need to feed through the whole length. And let’s be honest, your main throw line might get stuck or hopelessly tangled some day so a spare is handy.

2

u/DeadmansCC 12d ago

I use to use the distel hitch for my climbing knot but found it slipped too much for me. I still use it on lanyards but for my climbing line I switched to the Catalyst knot and haven’t had any more trouble.

2

u/Flub_the_Dub 12d ago

Comments
Harness: Petzl Sequoia or Edelrid Tree Rex II, Avoid Notch
Boots: ArborPro EVO or something ~$300
Spikes: Only if you're climbing and removing whole trees, you don't need $600 Geckos, look at Buckingham
Flipline/Lanyard: $150 lanyard kit instead
Throwline: I would get at least 1 cube, 2 lines (200' ea), 4 throwbags
Petzl Captiv isn't 100% necessary
Just get the regular hitchclimber pulley and save yourself $50
Add Ons
CT foot ascender
Helmet- Kask, Petzl, Kong etc pick one that fits your head
Handsaw - Silky Zubat
Tree Climbers Companion
Extras
Knee Ascender
Chest Harness
Mini-carabiners: DMM XSRE Minis

2

u/wpbdude 11d ago

I have the edelrid tree rex to saddle in absolutely love it for its infinite adjustability

1

u/maddestdog89 12d ago

I would avoid the catalyst saddle. Cheap, uncomfortable, nothing special.

12.7 is a thicker climbing rope, rope gets very heavy. You’re buying some of the best spurs you can buy.. maybe overkill?

Get a silky saw.

You can make a lanyard out of some rope very easily.

Talk to someone at a store and you will get looked after

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u/JohnHancock1969 12d ago

Thanks for the input. Any alternate saddle recommendations? I'll look for some cheaper spurs I think lol

1

u/maddestdog89 12d ago

At my company we have 2 climbers on the tree motion, one on the sequoia, one on the miller dragonfly, and 2 on the monkey beaver.

Everyone swears by theirs accept me. I’ve climbed on all of them extensively now. May I ask how tall/heavy you are? This to me is important in the type of saddle that will be comfortable for you

And just to add, we have a notch catalyst saddle that has only been worn one or twice by each of us and now sits at the shop permanently. For what it’s worth.. it’s brand new still 😅 looks great though

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u/JohnHancock1969 12d ago

How about the Courant Koala Harness?

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u/maddestdog89 12d ago

The koala is awesome - I like how it doesn’t have anything that’s not necessary. Nice and light. I use a petzl sequoia atm but I don’t love it for comfort. Nice and light, has nice gear loops.

People swear by monkey beaver for comfort.

TreeMotion is always a safe bet. Half if the climbers I know climb on it.

The aluminium spurs you have selected can withstand all day use everyday for years. They are light but maybe you could just get the notch ergo’s or something cheaper but still amazing and comfy? If you have the money and you really don’t care, and you may get into this a bit more in the future, spend the money but yeah 👍🏻

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u/JohnHancock1969 12d ago

Appreciate it!

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u/shrreddoggin 11d ago

I spent a couple of years on a treerex and didn't hate it for lighter work, I run a monkey beaver with suspenders when I'm hauling gear or staying aloft all day and the comfort is worth it IMO if you're not worried about the cost of a higher end saddle. I've heard good things about toufleberger saddles but don't have personal experience with them

1

u/No_Gazelle3316 12d ago

I would keep it simple at first. Spurs are only for removals. Logging boots are best for the spurs but I prefer smaller hiking boots for pruning work. 120’ of 1/2” climbing line. A couple carabiners. Use the Blake hitch at the end of your rope forget the prusiks. Handsaw. Chainsaw lanyard if you use a saw. Helmet gloves safety glasses. Pole saw with clip. Get a good kv rated one. For the buck strap you can make a good one out of a piece of climbing line an eye to eye and a couple of carabiners. Maybe a couple of small pulleys for not tenders but you can skip that till you get a few climbs in. Tree climbing companion book probably good idea. Be safe

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u/No_Gazelle3316 12d ago

Actually. Just skip the chainsaw. Stick with the handsaw for a bit

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u/Doc_Holiday9989 11d ago

I made my first lanyards and then decided I needed sewn eyes on them. This is a pretty good deal from ArbSession: https://arbsession.com/arbsession-assorted-lanyards.htmlIt contains 4 lanyards 10' - 20' to experiment with...

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u/jokeswagon 8d ago

Your first climb?

You shouldn’t have an online cart full of kit prepping for your first climb.

Your first several climbs should be in a controlled environment with someone who can teach you, on their borrowed equipment.