by chh » Mar 26, 2014 6:24 pm
A lot depends on what Treeclimber is going to do after he reaches his TIP. Are you going to use this rope also as your work line/playing around line? Or is this just an access line? Are you using only SRT treeclimbing techniques (i.e. ropewrench, hitchhiker, etc...) or are you using DRT once you reach your TIP and changeover? Really static ropes and particularly different sheath/core combinations work very differently with a split tail or especially an old school blake's DRT system.
Also, tree climbing ropes (particularly static access lines) are usually exposed to much less wear and tear than american caving ropes where the "pad, chuck, and go" technique seems to rule. That's why we use 11mm :)
Also, Treeclimber, ditch that RADS system unless you like extra work. I think it should just be called the ADS, 'cause there's nothing "rapid" about it.
Feel free to PM me if you want, I'm a caver, but I'm also an arborist. Or keep it here. I'm all for cross-discipline learning. Just keep in mind that what might work in the finer points of caving might not work best for you and your situation, especially when it comes to rope choice. Climbing systems, probably. Work systems, no.
-caleb
Your words of caution are no match for my disaster style!