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That 2019 maple in Boulder taught me to trust the rope grab
I was removing a big silver maple off Mapleton Ave last spring and the rope grab slipped on a wet line during a takedown. Nearly swung into a fence at 20 feet. Now I always wipe the rope dry and check the grab teeth before every climb, no matter how rushed the client makes me feel. Anyone else had a close call that changed their rigging habits?
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williams.amy1mo ago
Ugh, that's basically my nightmare right there! I had a similar thing happen with a dead oak a couple years back, the rope was fine when I started but then it started drizzling and my friction hitch just grabbed at the worst possible moment. I swung hard into the trunk and busted my shoulder pretty bad, took months to heal. Now I keep a little towel in my saddle bag and I wipe the line down before every single piece, even if it looks dry. Also switched to a different hitch knot that holds better when things get slick, that alone gave me way more peace of mind. Clients can wait five minutes while I make sure I'm not gonna eat a fence post.
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