Tree Climbing: Line Launching with a Crossbow

[IkickPUPPIES4fun]

could you not use the zing it line on the reel? I am thinking of using a system like this for spikeless pruning to save time but it wont be much of a time saver running 2 lines and rope through every crotch lol

[CornellTreeClimbing]

@IkickPUPPIES4fun Unless you are pruning really really big trees I think it would be a lot easier to use a slingshot line launcher like the BigShot.

[snakeman12ify]

what type of crossbow did you use

[CornellTreeClimbing]

@snakeman12ify Ours is an Eagle IV 150lb compound

[ihallow]

When firing, line cutting not?

[CornellTreeClimbing]

@ihallow We never had the line get cut while firing.  The line to use is expensive, but by far the best option: Berkeley Fireline, 20lb test.

[gpetleskov]

Now really sorry for my dumb questions, but. this is a Job that you do, not just a sport? if it is a job, by this way you climb the tree using only one atached rope? By europe standarts for work at High and on Rope, it's absolutly nesessery to work on two independent atached ropes.please can you tell me what do you think about that. Thank you verry much.

greetings from the balcans

[CornellTreeClimbing]

@gpetleskov The answer is that this is...both. We are recreational tree climbers - not a job. However, even Arborists climb with a single rope - that is a job. This practice is reasonably safe because trees don't have sharp edges that might otherwise cut your rope, and the anchor points tend to be very strong. Once into the tree, having multiple connections is a common practice.

[BatmanProject777]

@CornellTreeClimbing Interesting answer......haven't you ever seen the edge on the end of a cut limb ?....kinda hard, jagged and sharp in some cases. Also some bark is horribly abrasive to ropes. As well, a tree may have a nail, or other various metal hardware pieces hunters possibly may use and leave. I'm not trying to prove anyone wrong, just that the premise that trees don't have sharp edges is a little short sighted.  ( in my opinion ) By the way, why no nock on the arrow ?

[CornellTreeClimbing]

@BatmanProject777 Well...yes...I have seen the edges of cut /snapped limbs. However, even the worst tree edges that I've seen aren't bad compared to the broken edge of masonry or the edge of a cliff that you might see in an industrial rope access project. Also consider that we almost always use a tube style friction saver or separate anchor on a limb. Contact on a lower limb is tangential, easier to see, and you'd feel significant drag as you pulled up your rope.

[CornellTreeClimbing]

@BatmanProject777 Re: the arrow nock, it isn't really necessary. We loose arrows fairly often, and it's just more money for more equipment that vanishes into the trees.

[TheExtremetree]

Kool, I'm working on a crossbow line setter myself.

[TheExtremetree]

Kool, I'm working on a crossbow line setter myself.

[gordonkirschner]

Why not just use a big shot? I worked as a tree climber and found with a little practice and the right throw bag I could hit my crotch at about 220ft. I think it is a bit safer. i would think using a crossbow to go from tree to tree would be a great idea. 

[CornellTreeClimbing]

@gordonkirschner We also use the bigshot with a mounted open face fishing reel and scottshot bags. Ultimately I think we can go higher with a crossbow, especially a powerful one. We didn't mention it here because this video was aimed at using the crossbow. Excuse the pun. If you check out our other Redwoods video you'll see the bigshot in use.