March 5th, 2010
Perhaps the best feature of the Kask Super Plasma Climbing Helmet is its rapid size-adjustment system. This is an important feature as the protection that a helmet can offer is only as good as its fit on your head. If it is too tight it would be uncomfortable. If it is too loose, it can get thrown off or askew on your head as you bend, twist, and turn during your climb, becoming more of a nuisance than a protective gear.
With rapid size-adjustment, you can easily and quickly find the right fit for your head even when the helmet is already fastened. You can adjust the rubberized wheel at the back of the helmet by turning it clockwise or counterclockwise to tighten or loosen the headband. This wheel does not slip making it easy to adjust it even with sweaty or gloved hands. You can also re-set the rubber-coated flaps, moving the two towards the center. Inclination and height are also adjustable.
The chin strap is secured by four fastening points, thus eliminating the possibility of its getting thrown off in the event of a fall or impact. Polyethylene retractors regulate strap length and therefore help in the proper helmet placement. When the helmet is not in use, you can hang it on your harness with a ring colored red specifically provided for the purpose.
The Kask Super Plasma has 10 air vents assuring a cool and airy head during climbs even in warm weather. In order to prevent the entry of leaves or twigs into the vents, the helmet is fitted with aluminum grilles.
The outer shell of the helmet is constructed of shock-resistant polypropylene, while the inner shell is of high-density polystyrene. It has ducts through which air coming in through the outside vents is circulated over your head. Polyethylene pads that are removable and washable provide cushioning. The inner lining is an anti-allergenic, moisture absorbent, and odor-resistant fabric.
The helmet has lamp-carrying clips and comes in white, navy, burgundy, and dark gray.
Tree Gear Equipment - Helmets | No Comments »
March 3rd, 2010
Featuring an offset D design, the DMM Eclipse Screwgate Carabiner maximizes strength by forcing its load towards its strongest part, the spine, and sets them parallel to each other.
With a gate that is quick to open and a large opening that measures 22 mm, clipping unloaded and loaded ropes as well as with other climbing gear is quick and easy. The profile of the locking mechanism is low which makes it resistant to snags and hitches. It has a large enough capacity to accommodate several ropes should you opt to use it for rigging. Although large, it remains light with a weight of only 58 grams. This makes them convenient to carry even when climbing exceptionally tall trees.
The DMM Eclipse is made entirely of hot forged series 7075 aluminum, including the barrel. With its zinc alloy, the device is provided with extra strength and good resistance to fatigue. This results in a carabiner that is extra strong not only on its spine but also on its gate and barrel. The aluminum is protected from the elements through the process of anodizing, that is, the natural oxide layer on its surface is thickened. This results in an increased resistance to corrosion, rust, as well as wear and tear.
Strength of the major axis when closed is 28 kilonewtons. This is reduced to 10 when opened. The minor axis, on the other hand, has a strength of 8 kilonewtons.
Tree Gear Equipment - Carabiners | No Comments »
March 1st, 2010
The predecessor of the Wild Country Ropeman MK 2, the MK 1, is a highly successful ascender. It is a small and lightweight device that was intended to replace prusiks for emergency rescue, but climbers started using it for other purposes as well. It began to be used with ropes that were thinner than intended thus severely straining the device. This situation planted the seeds for the development of the Wild Country Ropeman MK 2. It was designed precisely to address this problem.
The horizontal, serrated teeth of the MK 1’s alloy cam tended to damage the sheath of thinner ropes in the event of a shock load or fall. Thus, in the MK 2, the cam is replaced with a stainless steel version with more aggressive-looking conical teeth but are actually kinder on the ropes, even those with smaller diameters. The MK 1 is still produced alongside the MK 2, with the former used for ropes with diameters of 10 – 11 mm, while the latter works with 8.5 – 11 mm ropes.
The weight of the Wild Country Ropeman MK 2 is kept low through the use of compact investment casting. With a weight of only 85 grams and the size of a silver dollar, the Wild Country Ropeman MK 2 is arguably the lightest and smallest functioning ascender. In spite of this, it still packs an axle strength of 15 kiloNewtons.
Tree Gear Equipment - Ascending Tools | No Comments »
February 27th, 2010
Versatility, safety, and comfort are primary considerations in the design and manufacture of Buckingham Glide Lite Tee-Climbing Saddle. It is of a modular construction allowing you to change worn parts easily instead of discarding the entire harness when only one section is no longer serviceable.
The Glide Lite weighs only 3.9 pounds, making it one of the lightest harnesses available in the market. Notwithstanding its light weight, it has a durable and heavy-duty construction.
The wide webbing of its back pad distributes weight over a larger surface of your back, thus helping reduce the possibility of back aches. It has as many as 12 loops, dee-rings, and snaps for your gear. It also has two slots for carabiners and a soft belay loop. Provisions for the attachment of a shoulder harness are also incorporated.
A suspension bridge with an aluminum o-ring provides improved lateral movement. It is attached to both the waist belt and the leg loops via o-rings and straps. Aluminum buckles on both the waist belt and leg loops can be released easily and quickly, which means that getting into or out of the saddle is a breeze. They also allow full adjustment for a truly comfortable fit and suspension even when wearing thick and padded clothes when climbing in cold weather.
Tree Gear Equipment - Safety Harnesses | No Comments »
February 25th, 2010
Our hands are our chief means of managing and influencing our physical environment. It therefore behooves us to protect them from needless harm or injury, or from exposing them to unnecessary risks. When climbing trees, there is always the possibility of cutting or scraping them when grabbing branches, and burning them when rappelling. These can be avoided by wearing a pair of Timberland Pro ExtraGrip Gloves.
The gloves are made of a combination of materials with different characteristics positioned exactly where they are most needed. Since it is the palmar aspect of the hand that absorbs the pressure of gripping an object, this part is made of soft-grain goat leather. It is also water-repellent keeping moisture at bay. Rubber reinforcements are incorporated on the palms and fingers providing a non-slip grip and abrasion-resistance.
The back of the glove is made of Lycra, thus it is expandable, flexible, and breathable. This prevents clammy hands that could come from sweating or apprehensions about falling off the tree. A water-repellent laminate coats the fabric which prevents moisture seeping into the gloves from outside.
The glove’s wrist is elasticized snugly wrapping your wrist with its self-fastening strap. This avoids the possibility of getting it snagged on your carabiners, ascenders, descenders, or any other gear, and on the tree itself.
The components of the Timberland Pro ExtraGrip Gloves are sewn together to produce a comfortable fit and at the same time maintaining dexterity. The rubber reinforcements are double-stitched for more secure attachments.
The gloves are available in black and light khaki, in sizes from 7 to 11.
Tree Gear Equipment - Safety Gear | No Comments »
February 23rd, 2010
Most of us, at some point in our childhood, have climbed a tree. Perhaps it was to hide from dad after coming home with a C on your report card, or to fetch your pet cat, or simply to show the girl next door that you are man enough to climb a tree. Just because you’ve grown doesn’t mean you can’t do it anymore. In fact, with all the gadgets and gear invented and techniques developed to help climb trees, it is much safer now. One such gear is the Grivel Salamander Climbing Helmet.
The Grivel Salamander is actually designed for rock, alpine, and ice climbing which can absorb the impact of falling rocks or ice. If it can take punishment from these, it definitely can handle falling branches and twigs, or bumping into tree trunks. The protection it offers may be a bit more than necessary but extra protection is always better than one that is insufficient.
The helmet’s external shell is made of ABS or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene providing it with strength, rigidity, and resistance to impact. The inner layer, on the other hand, consists of polystyrene foam that absorbs impacts resulting from blows to the helmet. Thus, instead of the force reaching your head, it is dissipated by the inner layer.
A ratchet knob mounted on a strap at the back of the helmet allows adjustment to a snug and comfortable fit. Chin straps that are also adjustable prevents the helmet from falling off your head and keeps it in the proper angle, neither too low to restrict your vision, nor too high exposing your brow and temples.
There are multiple vents on the Grivel Salamander Climbing Helmet. These allow air circulation inside it keeping your head cool even when climbing in warm weather. Elastic cords are provided to hold headlamps.
The helmet has one size that can be adjusted to fit heads sized from 54 to 62. It is available in black, yellow, and pink.
Tree Gear Equipment - Helmets | No Comments »
February 21st, 2010
Featuring Samson’s Sure Grip technology, the Samson Velocity Climbing Line does not need a breaking-in period before you can actually use it for your tree climbing adventures. You can go to your trees straight from where you bought it. The flexibility of the rope will give the impression that it has already been broken-in.
The Velocity has a diameter of 11 mm or 7/16 inches. Weighing only 5.6 pounds per 100 feet, it is one of the lightest climbing ropes available in the market. Indeed, it was designed for tree climbers who trek to remote areas in the wilderness for their climbs. In spite of its relatively small diameter and light weight, it has an average strength of 6,000 pounds.
It is constructed with a 24-strand spliceable, braided polyester sheath covering a stabilized nylon core. Being made of polyester, the sheath is abrasion and UV ray resistant, does not alter its length when wet, and does not stretch excessively when loaded.
The rope runs through carabiners, ascenders, and descenders smoothly. It also has good knot-holding capabilities, and is excellent for footlocking.
The Samson Velocity Climbing Line is available in two versions –the Velocity Cool and the Velocity Hot. Cool comes in a combination of white, blue, and green strands; while the Hot is in white, red, and orange. Both the Cool and Hot are highly visible even in dense foliage.
Tree Gear Equipment - Climbing Ropes | No Comments »
February 19th, 2010
Sporting the company’s signature feature called the True Radius, the Omega Pacific Five-O Locking Gate Carabiner is a rope-friendly ‘biner that does not cut or abrade your ropes. There are zero flat areas anywhere a load-bearing rope passes. Also like the other carabiners from Omega Pacific, the Five-O is constructed through the company’s proprietary ISO Cold Forging process. This process strengthens the Aircraft 7000 Series aluminum out of which it is made.
The Five-O is designed in a way that it feels comfortable in your hands. It is also easy to manipulate even with gloved hands. It has a gate with a 21 mm opening which makes clipping with rings or other carabiners, and attaching ropes virtually effortless. Its deep basket forces loaded ropes to move towards the spine where it is strongest rather than the gate.
The major axis has a strength of 25 kiloNewtons with the gate closed. However, when it is opened this is reduced to 7 kiloNewtons. The minor axis, on the other hand, is rated at 8 kiloNewtons. At its widest point, the Omega Pacific Five-O Locking Gate Carabiner measures 68.3 mm, with a length of 108.5 mm. It weighs approximately 63 grams.
Tree Gear Equipment - Carabiners | No Comments »
February 17th, 2010
Gadgets that can perform more than one function are always welcome especially those that have to be carried around. It is for this reason that the Petzl Rescucender Ascender is deemed a useful tool by some climbers. It is designed for ascending on fixed ropes, though it is more of a back-up belay device. It is also used for rescue work, and for hauling heavy loads. In hauling systems, it is useful as a progress capture device.
The cam of the Petzl Rescucender is curved in a way that its clamping force over the rope is spread over a wide area. This minimizes damage to the rope which could eventually lead to rope failure.
The cam surface is smooth allowing the rope to glide over it when pushed up. When load is applied, however, it instantly locks the rope. When the cam is disengaged, the Rescucender slides downwards with ease. The cam’s axle is locked with a pin for increased safety. This means that you will need to perform two separate actions to disconnect the ascender from the rope.
A thin cable attaches the jaw to ascender’s body thus providing spring action.
The Petz Rescucender Ascender is made of milled components. This results in a very strong and durable ascending device with a strength rating of 25 kilonewtons. It weighs 225 grams, and is compatible with ropes sized 7/16 to ½ inches.
Tree Gear Equipment - Ascending Tools | No Comments »
February 15th, 2010
Man began having back pains ever since he started walking upright. Among adults today, nine out of ten have complained of back pain at least once. To minimize the possibility of back aches when climbing trees, Buckingham Manufacturing designed the Ergovation Tree Climbing Saddle with ample back support.
The wide lumbar support is ergonomically designed with a thick closed-cell foam padding that contours to your lower back and pelvis. This assures optimal posture thus helping prevent back pains. If you have a doctor-prescribed therapeutic pad, whether hot or cold, you can even insert it into the lumbar support through a hidden opening. Its width is intended to distribute loads rather than concentrating them on a small area of your back and pelvis. To keep the padding clean and hygienic, it can be removed from the harness for washing.
The Ergovation is highly modular. As many as 22 of its parts are replaceable, which results in a fully customized gear. It is also extremely adjustable. Work positioning dee rings can be moved forward or backward. Buckle placement in the leg straps is also customizable. You can have them either inside or outside your thighs. A waist tensioner also improves fit as well as abdominal stability.
The saddle weighs 6 pounds and 3 ounces. It is available for waist sizes from 24 to 44 inches.
Tree Gear Equipment - Safety Harnesses | No Comments »