The Secret Weapon!

Climbing trees is not merely a work thing, it has now expanded into a recreational activity, as well! For us arborists, it is a necessary skill set required to successfully prune or remove an entire tree, and we occasionally get called upon to rescue cats. There are plenty of tree climbing activities we become involved in, so we must master, or do our best at, the art of tree climbing and the various techniques involved with climbing. Among the slew of tools and techniques available, there exists a “secret weapon” that revolutionized AND continues to impress all of those who have yet to lay eyes on — The Secret Weapon!  

The Evolution 

Historically, climbing trees has been practiced using rudimentary methods. Early arborists largely depended on just a lanyard and a ladder. I've often heard stories of using only these basics in the past. Don’t get it twisted, the O.G.’s of the tree industry got shit done with almost no additional gear, so I have the utmost respect for those before us! 

Slowly, installing a rope became the norm, along with either footlocking or hip thrusting, followed by advancing to the final tie-in point; footlocking is a dying art! Today, modern tree climbing has become “sophisticated” and it has incorporated a few principles from rock climbing and rope access.

So, what is the Secret Weapon?!

The Secret Weapon typically includes a 10mm Ocean Polyester cordage of a specified length, featuring a splice at one end with a 40mm DMM anchor ring and another splice at the opposite end with a 28mm DMM anchor ring. An alternative option is the Teufelberger Multi-Sling with a DMM Revolver.

Application

Applying this unique piece of tree climbing gear is pretty simple, the trick in executing it perfectly — time and technique! Once an approved arborist rope is installed at the ideal tie-in point, take your Secret Weapon and attach it to the installed rope. How might you ask? Simple! A Klemheist or Prusik configuration provides the climber with a non-retrievable option for peace of mind. For a retrievable option, attach it using a Valdotain Tresse. 

In addition to the arborist gear already in play, a second climbing rope with a prussic-based or mechanical ascender is needed, along with an extra carabiner. After the Secret Weapon is attached to the ascent rope, pass the splice of the second rope through the small ring first and then through the large ring. There you have it; a moving rope system has now been established and the beauty of this — it’s adjustable! Either draw in slack to shorten or pay out slack to extend and achieve perfect locks. Oh, did I forget to mention? Footlocking will be your ascent style here. 

The second method of application is onto the leg of an SRT/SRS canopy OR base anchor. Follow the same steps as described above, however for the attachment configuration, I recommend a Valdotain Tresse with additional wraps to keep the hitch tighter. You may choose to footlock, but for those who are footlock-challenged, such as myself, ascenders can be used here. 

But, FOR WHY?

Did you mean, WHY NOT?! Ok, maybe I do have an addiction to shiny arborist equipment, but this tool and technique do have a time and a place. For reference, at this specific job, I needed to limb walk out quite a bit and perform some tip reduction. Normally, I would find a redirect to reduce the walk-out and keep a nice angle, however there was no viable redirect present. I proceeded to set my ascent rope for an SRT ascent and configured my Secret Weapon to be retrieved from the ground. Once I reached the base of the limb, I fully set the Secret Weapon with a moving rope installed through it. Prior to walking out or working from this system, there must be a spike under the Secret Weapon. A spike can be a Slip Knot under the Secret Weapon with a carabiner capturing the loop of the Slip Knot followed by also capturing the fall of the rope; it’s essentially a stopper knot. After all is said and done, walking back is effortless because of the mechanical advantage given by the moving rope system tagged to the bottom of the Secret Weapon.

Conclusion

Every climbing technique has a time and a place, whether you decide to apply it, is completely up to you. If you compete in tree climbing championships and would like to be an absolute unit, apply this technique during the aerial rescue challenge or in the master’s ring; it will quickly give you legendary status!