Tried a rope wrench for the first time on a big oak in Lincoln

I've been using a traditional split-tail setup for years (since I started climbing, actually) and figured it was fine. Last week I borrowed a buddy's Rope Wrench and gave it a shot on a 60-foot red oak removal. Man, the smoothness on ascent was a total surprise - way less fighting with my lanyard. Has anyone else switched from a traditional system and found it worth the learning curve?

3 comments

3 Comments

ruby4501mo ago

Whoa, wait. You just jumped from a traditional split-tail all the way to a rope wrench without trying something like a zigzag or unicender first? That's a huge leap, man. Honestly, I'm a little shocked you never even messed with a mechanical ascender before going straight to the wrench. Those systems are totally different beasts. The smoothness you felt is real, but the learning curve on body positioning is no joke either. I've seen guys get all twisted up trying to muscle the thing until they figure out the right technique. Props to you for taking that risk on a 60-foot oak removal, that's a brave move for a first try.

the_anthony14d ago

Hold up, 60-foot oak removal on a first try with a rope wrench? That's insane. Did your friend @victorb17 at least film it? I'd pay to see that learning curve in real time.

victorb171mo agoTop Commenter

... actually that reminds me of my buddy Dave. He went from a traditional Blake's setup straight to a rope wrench after seeing it online and tried it on a 50 foot white pine removal. First five minutes he was fighting it so bad he nearly wrapped himself around the trunk like a corkscrew. Took him the whole afternoon to even feel somewhat comfortable, but he swears by it now.

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