This is primarily most beneficial for trees you climb a lot. Probably wouldn't be that applicable out in the wild or a tree that you climb one time.

This is what I use on trees in my yard. One thing I don't say in the vid is the rope, PMI 11 mm MaxWear, is that there is a leather rope sleeve over the limb. I rarely use the conduit types any more. The leather makes a softer interface to the tree than the harder conduit types.

The method is essentially two cinching loops that are self equalizing, and the 1" webbing is only subjected to one-half the climber's weight:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTHL-9XuYhM

Good suggestion, I'll have to try this method.

I usually do 3-4 wraps at the base with the climbing rope and then cinched with a SS delta link.

Do you have any comments on the redundant type ground anchor set-ups similar to the ones proposed by Old Fart which allow for a possible failure and redemption?

Their value and benefit is some what lost on me. You can have your rope tied to 5 different things at the base but if your rope fails you're on the ground. If you were going to back up something in a SRT ground anchor setup, the rope seems like a better choice. The down rope under tension in a ground anchor SRT set up certainly appears to be more vulnerable than most ground anchors I've seen. Thoughts?

My comments on the redundant ground anchor is why? I'm like you, I don't see their value or benefit.

My set up was not for redundancy at all but to equally spread the load out over two cinches. While it's not redundant, it is robust. The webbing is only subjected to half the climber's weight and hence less pressure on the tree from each cinch.

Hi Ron, thanks again for your work !

Why don't you think it would be as good for random trees ? Because of webbings length diferent for a tree than for an other ? Or time consuming puting it on ?

Really stylish piece of gear by the way. Clean and simple, i really like that.

It's not that it wouldn't be good, I was thinking that in the wild, etc., most would just run the rope around the base of the tree and cinch it.

Actually the equalizing anchor will accommodate a pretty wide range of diameter of trees and will automatically adjust and equalize.

It's a bit more trouble to use than just wrapping a rope around the tree, but not bad at all and it's a lot stronger since the webbing, cinches, and any hardware are only subjected to half the climber's weight. I bet the tree would like that better too!

Normally on woods trees I do one of two kinds of basal anchors. If it's on the trunk of the tree I'm climbing I'll wrap on eend of the climbing rope twice around the trunk, cross over in the back and then secure with a backed Running Bowline on the front of the tree. If I'm anchoring to a small diameter tree next to the tree I'm climbing I'll make three half hitches around the trunk working downward spacing them approx. 6" apart then finish the bottom half hitch as a Timber Hitch. The tail off the Timber Hitch can be further locked off for redundant security. Either way with these two methods the load is distributed nicely on the trunk. I've never seen the slightest damage to the tree using these methods.

Besides doing a good job distributing load Ron's anchor system is perfect for setting up a belayed lowering system.
-AJ

IMO if the only trouble using your system is modifying some habits it's all good ! I see an other gain : using less rope lengh thanks to not having to turn around the trunk. But less pressure on the anchor and less possible stress on the tree sounds allready good enough to me !

There's still a last point worrying me, the webbing enders holding carabiners, i assume they are sewned isn't it ?
How did you managed to have serious sewings ? How to be sure they're strong enough ?

And it's very strong on top of that.


That's certainly a good thing to worry about.

I bought the webbing from On Rope 1 and had them use their machines to sew the life support eyes.

They make harnesses, etc. for major brands - you'd be surprised, and for the military.

They've had their stitching on harnesses tested to 10,000 lbs!

Thanks for the reference Ron !
I'll keep your dealer in mind but i hope to find some good sewing professional around France cause making come gears from USA allways cost an harm here.

Take care

Twice around the tree, and a bowline with a bight. Then a biner on the up rope.