sapling slinging

The Stoned Master wrote:Your looking at it dude. Is it real? That's the point of these forums (not that you can always tell), people ask a question, other people answer. Pretty straight forward. Not everyone is a walking climbing textbook nor has everyone experienced all of climbing and every situation it can present.

Haha, my thoughts exactly. Places to learn trolled by those who know it all.

I wouldn't sling anything smaller than 2" in diameter and expect its root system to sustain the force of a fall. That said, you'd be surprised how deep the root systems of these cliff side trees get.

I'm always amazed at what small trees to do cars when they hit them... then I see people worried about rappin' on 4" dia. trees and it makes me laugh.

Oh and Nbrown ur girth is messed up man... poor form ;-)

Reminds me of that 'close calls' video where some guy was watching a race from behind this tiny tree. It was one of those where everyone stands right on the edge of the road as cars to tearing by. Well, one of those little drifter cars comes whipping around the corner, loses traction, and goes right for him but this little tree he was standing behind stopped the car instantly and barely moved.

I thought saplings were booty?

I always take them with me if I come across one... that way I can plant it later to bail from (so I don't have to use my OWN saplings that I purchased)

Yes, I was being serial. I live in Jersey and have climbed some chossy jungle shit, super serial.

But besides that, this is pic of my climbing up Betty (Gunks, NY). I remember on lead basket hitching a 24-inch sling around that little tree on the right. So, that would be an example of what I was talking about.

Betty, Gunks NY

Michael C wrote:I've come across my fair share of saplings and baby trees while climbing and usually sling them with a basket hitch. But I got to thinking that I could very well end up taking a fall on a triaxly-loaded biner.

Serious tri-axial loading typically happens when the sling is juuuust long enough to go around the tree. A longer sling lets the ends meet at a lesser angle on the biner. So it sounds like either you're using 8 inch slings, or your definition of sapling is a lot different than mine. YMMV but if a 24" sling is just barely making it around the tree, it's likely a good strong piece of timber.