Techniques in Depth: The Secret Tunnel: Pros & Con

Tree climbing has and continues to progress as time goes on, this is not new. From green-to-seasoned climbers, there is always something new to be learned. Which now leads us to our recently released video, based on the tree climbing technique known as, “The Secret Tunnel”. Shortly after its release, we began receiving an influx of inquiries regarding this specific tree climbing technique asking what the pros and cons are, when to use this technique and why. Today, we will do our best to explain what makes The Secret Tunnel so special.

What is The Secret Tunnel and Why?

This technique was shared to us by the incredible Keith Stoner, a very technical and knowledgeable tree climber. If you ever meet him, pay attention because he is about to spit some crazy knowledge at you! This technique will more than likely be applied during tree care operations such as crown cleans, reductions, or tree limb removals; all while climbing SRT or as it has been renamed, Stationary Rope System (SRS).

The Secret Tunnel is a way of ghosting through redirects. This means not applying (or minimal) unnecessary force on the redirect as one attempts to pass through said redirect. Instead, the climber would apply a continuous vector and theoretically force the limb into compression along the axis of the limb. If applied correctly, this technique will minimize the breaking forces on the redirect lead or limb, allowing for an “on-rope” transition AND retrieval of gear… remotely!

The “secret” refers to the traditional Secret Weapon and the “tunnel” refers to: rather than going up over/above the branch union causing over exertion of physical energy, the tree climber “tunnels” through the limb.

The Equipment

If you are looking at pulling this technique off, you will need the following tree climbing equipment: The Secret Weapon, which is 10 mm prusik and spliced at each end with a large aluminum anchor ring on one end, and a smaller ring at the opposite splice. If you already have a multiSLING in your possession, you no longer need to acquire a Secret Weapon, however you will require a normal sized carabiner (DMM Ultra O as an example). And the final pièce de resistance, a long work positioning lanyard that is rated to be configured as a moving rope system, trust me on this one! These are the following steps for applying in the tree in a scenario of transferring from above the redirect:

1. Once you have reached the desired redirect and are stable, if your work positioning lanyard is double sided – lanyard into position. Attach your multi sling/Secret Weapon above your climbing system via French Prusik Hitch. When the French Prusik Hitch loads and begins to unravel, it turns into a Valdotain Tresse (VT Hitch). 
2. Move your work positioning lanyard to your bridge. Follow that by passing the working termination through the small ring first and then through the larger ring, just like a ring-to-ring friction saver and load test to ensure the system will hold.
   
3. Once secure, proceed to disconnect your primary tree climbing gear, pass it through the redirect, and re-attach it to your tree climbing harness.
   
4. Here comes the “ghosting or tunnel” part; tension the primary climbing system until it feels taunt. Begin slowly descending from your lanyard until you load the stem fully. Voila, nice and smooth!
   
5. To retrieve it, a small DMM XSRE Screw-gate carabiner on the termination and it will go up, catch on the small ring, and you have now retrieved it remotely!
   
   

The Pros

This surely is classified as an advanced user technique, but not impossible to pull off. Apart from being able to keep the forces at the redirect minimal-to-non-existent (which is HUGE), staying on rope is the next big advantage here. Yes, one could argue to simply move your work positioning lanyard to Forward D’s and completely come off the system, but we have now increased the risk of limb failure (if we were to choose a not so desirable limb).

The Cons

The downside of certain techniques isn’t seldom talked about, but we will be today.

1. The need for extra/special equipment. Something I learned through my training adventures; the gear isn’t for everyone and that’s not to say that it doesn’t capture their interests but rather they think it’s neat but they themselves won’t utilize it enough to justify spending extra cheddar.
2. Lots of practice to get it right. The need to dedicate time to familiarizing oneself with this technique may impede with other responsibilities.
3. A brief discussion was had with other industry professionals; even though the concept of staying on rope is without a doubt an excellent way to avoid creating unnecessary forces on the tree, and as the name implies, “Staying on Rope” while traversing through redirects. However, even though we as the climbers stay on rope, what about our immediate mode of egress? The potential for being stranded does become a real thing.

This is a technique that requires discipline and as the saying goes, low and slow is the way to go! This tree climbing technique has a time and a place. Is this something you have tried or are willing to try? Let us know your thoughts.