----- Original Message -----
From: "Barry Kirkwood" <bjk@ihug.co.nz>
To: <dick.green@valley.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2002 8:06 AM
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] The case for a static line
> Hi Dick,
> I usually tension slightly and tie off the bottom end of the static line
at
> the bottom of the tower. Theory is that it gives more positional control
> this way.
> Yes, the Pelz ascender consists of a spring loaded arm inside a housing
suc
> hthat it bears on the rope when under load. You just squeeze the ascender
> and task pressure off the spring and the ascender can be moved down the
> rope. You simply push it to go up. The only trick is to remember not to
> grasp the ascender it if you fall!
> Find it very easy to use.
> There are other devices of similar function available in mountaineering
> shops.
> The Pelz works well for me, seems very well engineered and shows no sign
of
> corrosion after a couple of years at my seaside location.
> Incidentally, the ascender can be used with double ropes, means you can go
> up the tree, tower or what have you. loop a rope around the top, then run
> both ropes thru the ascender. That way when you finish the project you can
> bring the rope down from ground level, no need to climb to detach.
> I single rope on my 50ft tower which is relatively easy to climb.
> I double rope on trees where it can be a bit of a mission climbing up and
> down.
> I would stress I am not a climbing expert, get other opinions.
> Have looked at rock climbing websites and spent a highly educational
> afternoon at an indoor rock gymnasium.
> I think the sport climbers can teach us a lot.
> Also have around 60 years experience around yachts.
> 73
> Barry
>
> end
> Barry Kirkwood PhD ZL1DD
> Signal Hill Homestay
> 66 Cory Road
> Palm Beach
> Waiheke Island 1240
> NEW ZEALAND
> ph/fax 64-9-372-5161
> www.waiheke.co.nz/signal.htm
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dick Green" <dick.green@valley.net>
> To: "Barry Kirkwood" <bjk@ihug.co.nz>; "Tower Talk"
> <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2002 7:43 AM
> Subject: RE: [Towertalk] The case for a static line
>
>
> > Barry,
> >
> > Do you secure the static line at the bottom of the tower either before
or
> > after the first ascent, or just let it hang free?
> >
> > Is there some sort of spring-loaded release so you can use the Pelz
> ascender
> > on the way down?
> >
> > 73, Dick WC1M
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: towertalk-admin@contesting.com
> > > [mailto:towertalk-admin@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Barry Kirkwood
> > > Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 11:45 PM
> > > To: Tower Talk
> > > Subject: [Towertalk] The case for a static line
> > >
> > >
> > > The more I read on this, the better the case seems to be for
> > > having a fixed line up and down the tower while working at heights.
> > > This is what arborists I have observed do as standard practice.
> > > From some comments received there seems to be a misunderstanding:
> > > No, I do not make my way up the rope with ascenders, as rock
> > > climbers might do when tackling an overhang, and no, I do not
> > > descend by abseiling down the rope.
> > > Like this:
> > > I wear a standard industrial harness with a fall arrest D at my
> > > back between my shoulders and two positioning Ds at hip level.
> > > I first climb the tower using the two cow tail technique (use a
> > > variant of this when climbing trees), then attach a line to the
> > > top of the tower.
> > > This line is D12.5mm dynamic climbing rope.
> > > On the line runs a Pelz ascender. A sort of ratchet which can be
> > > slid up the rope by one hand, but jams tight if a downward load
> > > is put on it.
> > > Between the fall arrest D and the Ascender I attach a kevlar lanyard.
> > > This has no stretch.
> > > The nice feature is that the fixed line is stretchy, so if one
> > > falls one does a nice soft stop. Have tried it close to the
> > > ground and it works, and have seen movies of rock climbers being
> > > arrested from long free falls using similar equipment with no
> > > apparent harm.
> > > With this system one is always hooked on and one does not have to
> > > do sequential clipping and unclipping when moving up and down the
tower.
> > > I climb up and down using the tower itself like a ladder.
> > > Like some other commentators I have moved away from heavy
> > > industrial weight positioning lanyards.
> > > The less weight on has to carry up the tower the less tired you get.
> > > Also support comments about superiority of figure 8s over bowlines.
> > > One can learn a lot from modern rock climbing techniques.
> > > Also: always wear a hard hat.
> > > Apart from the obvious risk from things dropping from above, beam
> > > booms may not be where you remembered them to be. I gave myself a
> > > mighty crack on my hard hat coming up under my boom one day.
> > > Would have almost certainly have been stunned without the hat.
> > > Also endorse the use of small gear bags, seem better than tool
> > > belts in many respects.
> > > 73 and have a great festive season,
> > > Barry
> > >
> > > end
> > > Barry Kirkwood PhD ZL1DD
> > > Signal Hill Homestay
> > > 66 Cory Road
> > > Palm Beach
> > > Waiheke Island 1240
> > > NEW ZEALAND
> > > ph/fax 64-9-372-5161
> > > www.waiheke.co.nz/signal.htm
> > >
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> >
> >
> >
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