[TowerTalk] hitch-hiking

[rikik@inter.net.il]

I whole-heartily endorse everything that K4RO has written.  I used to have
a horrible fear of climbing  towers, until I finally realized that it was
because of a very sane realization of the dangers involved.  I went to a
store specializing in "professional" mountain climbing equipment and bought
equipment similar to what  Kirk described.  Now, much to my amazement, I
can climb to the top of my 100 foot tower with no fear at all. The safety
equipment that I purchased is manufactured by "Petzl" (European
manufacturer).  My harness has a special D-Ring attachment point  in the
front. Attached to the D-Ring is an  energy absorbing device which the
manufacturer calls a "Zyper".  From a practical standpoint, the Zyper has 2
ropes, each about 3 feet long ending in gorilla hooks.  In actuality, the 2
ropes in the Zyper are really one rope that goes through a special ring
that is designed to allow controlled slippage (3 feet maximum) of the rope
end  with the unconnected gorilla hook. What happens is that if you should
fall, the gorilla hooked lanyard that is part of the Zyper  brings you to a
controlled stop while dissipating much of your free-fall kinetic energy in
the Zyper. The manufacturer's data states that the force applied to you is
reduced by a factor of 5 relative to what it would be if you were just
using the lanyard without the controlled dissipative slippage of the Zyper.
My harness has a positioning belt built-in, and everything is attached
using appropriate hooks that have screw-on locking devices built in to
them.

I still don't like climbing towers, but as Kirk has explained, this is a
necessity in our great hobby (unless you are blessed with the financial
resources to hire professionals for every little thing).  At least now, I
feel safe, and when I must climb - I climb.

73,
Riki, 4X4NJ

K4RO Kirk Pickering wrote:

> Most carabiners are not rated for fall arrest.  Unless yours
> is, I wouldn't use it as a life-saving device.  Also, be sure
> your front D-ring is rated for fall-arrest as well if that's
> what you are using it for.  Some harnesses can only use the
> back D-ring for fall arrest.
>
> I climb with a full-body fall arrest harness and a positioning
> belt (and a helmet.)  The big D ring of the *back* of the harness
> sports two three foot lanyards with gorilla hooks.  These are used
> while climbing as follows:
>
> - Attach one hook overhead to a brace
> - Climb utill that hook is just above my foot
> - Attach the other hook overhead, just like before
> - Release the lower one
> - Repeat
>
> Then, when I'm in position, I use BOTH climbimg lanyards as fall
> restraints, each clipped to a different brace.  A third lanyard on
> the belt allows me to position as necessary to do the the work.
>
> I climbed with just a positioning belt for years.  I will not
> do tower work anymore without a fall-restraint harness and helmet.
> Tower work for me is filled with moments of fatigue and frustration.
> I don't enjoy it, and do it only when I have to (contesting.)  Knowing
> that I'm climbing and working safely makes the chore just a little more
> tolerable.  I want to keep contesting for years to come.  A few more
> minutes spent per climb is worth it to me.
>
> -Kirk  K4RO
>
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