subject: Single Rope Techniques For Descending Treetop Canopies [print this page] Hans ter Steege, Biotropica VolHans ter Steege, Biotropica Vol. 30
CLIMBING TROPICAL RAIN FOREST TREES poses hazards in support of individuals involved. A variety of climbing methods take part in been residential and take part in assisted greatly in the field of canopy study. Rope climbing is arguably the cheapest and easiest way to obtain canopy access. Nearby are several reasons why safety measures cannot take place stressed a sufficient amount. Leading, study often takes place in the field of remote spaces and, moment tree climbing is often practised by researchers who take part in nix prior experience with either shock climbing before speleology.
This abrupt be aware of is a feedback to a phone call in the field of this Journal (Laman 1995), which too addressed the safety of rope climbing. As soon as studying the drawings I illustrious, however, so as to nix safety precautions were taken in the field of rappelling with the figure-of-eight. It would take place trouble-free and shrewd to include such spare safety, since a think of eight desire not brake itself the way a descender (e.G., a Petzl plug Descender) would figure out as soon as it is released. Laman suggested so as to in the field of court case of lost grip on the 'Figure of Eight' the strut be supposed to take place swung to allow the rope to wrap around it. However, a 'run away' rappel possibly will take place the consequence of particular shock before injury and complicated moves possibly will not take place viable subsequently for the duration of the fall. Even as soon as the vine is wholly conscious, panic possibly will give rise to tiring moves unfeasible. Nearby is, however, a insignificant but very secure safety compute applicable in the field of the form of 'Prusik knots', so as to figure out not depend on a quick feedback from the vine.
Prusik knots, if fitted properly, desire slide without problems along a rope, but desire jam as soon as abrupt pressure is functional. A a small amount of prusik knots and their hard work are exposed in the field of think 1. A trouble-free prusik can take place made with a insignificant part of 5 mm rope. This clutch, however, has the disadvantage of getting very body-hugging as soon as pressure has been functional. This can take place without problems avoided by making a faintly supplementary technical prusik with a carabiner incorporated. As soon as a dive the prusik can take place released by wriggling the carabiner. We take part in used this performance while tree climbing (Cornelissen & ter Steege 1989, ter Steege & Cornelissen 1988, 1989) and felt very self-possessed with it.
Other options in support of safe, controlled descent include descenders: These lever battle procedure are used extensively in the field of speleology and robotically plug as soon as released. A drawback with descenders is so as to owing to wear (especially in the field of sully canopies) the infringement battle bit by bit decreases.
Laman stresses properly so as to safety duty not take place compromised while climbing trees in the field of remote areas. Taking spare precautions for the duration of rappelling with a think of eight by using prusik knots before changing to a descender be supposed to take place an integral part of this safety.
End but not smallest amount (rather first) ecologists, wishing to turn out to be arboreal, and devoid of preceding climbing skills, be supposed to seek climber training from skilled mountaineers before speleologists to progress hands-on experience with knots and descent devices used. These things are not safely learned from records.
