Throw bags are a good means of positioning throw lines over tree branches either by hand or by a slingshot. Typically, they are made of vinyl or leather and are fitted with a ring to where the throw line is tied. There is a little problem with throw bags, though. It can get torn when snagged by a sharp tree bark or twig. And the ring can also get stuck in between tight crotches.

The Treepedo Rope Access Tool eliminates these problems. This is a cylindrical tool made of hard anodized aluminum whose both ends terminate in a cone that has been cut open at the tip. The cylinder is divided into two parts, the nose and base cones, with the latter having a larger diameter than the former. This allows the insertion of the nose cone into the base cone. A nut locks the two cones together. The Treepedo also comes with a stainless steel weight that fits inside the cylinder and a split ring for attachments.

The throw line is inserted into the hole at the tip of the nose cone and either knotted or spliced and locked with a cotter pin to hold it in place. The stainless steel weight is then put into the base cone, after which the two cones are attached making them ready for throwing.

The Treepedo is launched just like throw bags, either by hand or a slingshot. The difference between them is that the former slices through the air and leaves, and glides over twigs and branches while a throw bag may smash into them. This is possible because of its aerodynamic design and a reduced friction point.

In the event that the Treepedo does not fall back to the ground and gets stuck up in the branches, retrieval is easier because of its conical point, cylindrical body, and the absence of a ring. If the throw is successful, you can use it as a handle to pull the throw line down after tying the climb line to its opposite end.

The Target Line Throw Line is All Gear, Inc.’s answer to the need of climbers for a lightweight, strong, and durable line to pull up their climbing lines to tall tree branches. Climbing lines, through progressively getting lighter without losing their strength, are too heavy to hurl or shoot with a sling towards tall branches.

Target Line is made of polyethylene giving it strength and durability. This strength allows it to take the abuse normally inflicted on throw lines. These lines are the first that are used to approach a tree. Hence, they have to glide over rough tree branches and twigs without any protection.

The line has a tight diamond braid, claimed by All Gear to be tighter than the throw lines of competitors. This feature is what provides Target Line what climbers call the coefficient of friction, or, in layman’s parlance, slipperiness. Owing to the said coefficient of friction, Target Line can quickly and easily glide out of its spool when tossed, and will not snag on tree branches, even rough branches, when pulled over them.

Target Line is only 1/8 inch in diameter. This is necessary to keep its weight low, yet it compromises visibility. To remedy this and make the ropes visible in spite of their thinness, All Gear, Inc. makes them in neon orange and bright yellow.

Neo Throw Weights are great at positioning throw lines over tall tree branches. This then allows the placement of climbing ropes by pulling the lines. The design of Neo Throw Weights is aerodynamic thus they are able to slice the wind and reach greater heights.

These weights can be launched by hand, slingshot, or bow. They are hand-sewn by Weaver Leather giving them extra durability. Their vivid colors, a combination of bright red and green with a black webbing loop at the bottom, assures their visibility even when flying upwards to high tree limbs.

A narrow D-ring to which the throw line is tied is securely held by a strap sewn on the top of the throw weight. The webbing loop at the bottom serves as a quick attachment for a climbing rope or rigging line.

The Neo Throw Weights are available in varying weights as different heights targeted require different weights. These are 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 ounces.

Hurling throw lines from the ground by hand with throw weights to tall branches can sometimes be difficult. Getting the throw weight in the right direction is hard enough without practice or experience. And of course, there are limits to how far raw human strength can throw.

A SherillTree Big Shot offers a lot of help in this area. The Big Shot is actually a simple but oversized slingshot that accurately directs your throw weights with the attached tow working lines to where you want it to go. With its powerful elastic tubing and pouch, it can propel weights ranging from 3 to 20 ounces to as much as 120 feet vertically. Horizontally, it can make the weights fly to 300 feet.

The slingshot is attached to a fiberglass pole of commercial duty strength. This is then butted on the ground for stability and to avoid recoil. The weight is loaded into the pouch, the tubing stretched, the slingshot aimed at the target avoiding adjacent branches and twigs, and abruptly released.

SherillTree recommends a minimum pole length of eight feet for best performance. It is for this reason that the Big Shot comes with either a single 8-feet long pole, or two in 4-feet. The latter, of course, is more convenient if you need to travel distant places for your climbs.

One option you have if you decide to purchase a Big Shot is the Deluxe Kit. This includes the slingshot head, two 4-feet fiberglass poles, line reel with clamps, 300 feet each of monofilament and Neon-3 lines, a throw line bag where you can store your lines, eight throw weights, replacement tubing, and a carrying case. Everything you need for the proper placement of your climbing lines can be carried in one tough and study package with the Deluxe Kit.

The Samson Zing-it Throw line is one of the strongest and lightest lines for the placement of climbing lines and other gear that is available in the market today.

This is largely because it is made of Dyneema fiber. This fiber is a lightweight yet extremely strong polyethylene fiber invented and manufactured by DMS Dyneema. Given the same weight, it is said to be 15 times stronger than quality steel and 40% stronger than aramid fibers. The 2.2 millimeters Samson Zing-it, which weighs about .24 kilogram per 100 meters, has an average strength of 260 kilograms.

Owing to its light weight, it is easy to reach higher throws especially when used with 8 to 10 ounce throw weights. This throw line also has a very low stretch thus minimizing bounce and improving control.

In addition to its strength and light weight, the Samson Zing-it is also resistant to wear, tear, and abrasion thanks to its Samthane protective coat. This is a proprietary urethane coating that also allows the line to easily glide over rough barks.

The throw line is available in lengths of about 55 meters (180 feet) and 305 meters (1,000 feet). You also have a choice between 1.75 and 2.2 millimeters in diameter. As for colors, there are only orange and yellow, both of which are excellent for visibility.

A rope retriever is an important tool for every climber as there always comes a time when one of his ropes may too far out for him to reach. Or perhaps he may want to position a rope beyond his reach.

One such tool is Bailey’s Sidekick Rope Retriever. This tubular contraption is only a little over two feet long when its four segments are collapsed over each other. It is both quite durable and lightweight as it is made of high impact plastic and aluminum. When extended and locked, the four segments can reach up to nine feet.

At its tip is a curved hook that ends with a hard plastic covering. This prevents the snagging of rigging and climbing lines. The hook is strong enough to withstand the stresses of tugging at ropes that may be caught in a tree branch or twig.

Weighing in at less than one pound, the Sidekick will be very unobtrusive when hung with a convenient clip to a climber’s harness or saddle.