In the field of tree care, the rope climbing technique and aerial work platform are purely used to access the actual job, i.e. trimming, tending to, preserving, or felling trees. Despite this though, the rope climbing technique still has certain technical intricacies. And these can make all the difference between “it’ll do” or “luckily that went okay” and safe yet efficient climbing with technical aids that make it possible to defuse or circumvent such situations—or even just improve efficiency in them.

 

This article is all about directional anchors, which we will try to categorize below to provide you with the best possible overview. Firstly, we (logically) differentiate between the single rope technique (SRT) and the moving rope technique (MRT), and then again within each of these two categories. We will run through the pros and cons of each to help you decide which to use. We regard this overview as an aid that reflects the latest technical advances and possibilities. The use of the techniques should always follow the principles “from low to high” and “from simple to complex”—and naturally occur at your own risk. 

 

Directional anchors used with the SRT differ from those used with the MRT in that they do not affect the rope friction and can therefore also be used multiple times and combined. We divide these directional anchors into two categories: loose directional anchors (group A), which allow the rope to still move depending on the flexibility of the deflection point, and fixed directional anchors (group B), where the rope is secured to the deflection point, e.g. to prevent or minimize the extent to which the anchor points draw together. The section that follows presents a few directional anchors from each category together with their pros and cons.

 

With regard to the MRT, directional anchors are divided into those with and those without a pulley as this makes the biggest difference to how they can be used. Directional anchors with a pulley should be used if a large area can and should be worked with a lot of ascending and rappelling. Directional anchors without a pulley are ideal if an additional (removable) directional anchor can be expediently installed for the last rope section or if, for example, a better rope angle needs to be achieved for the secondary trunk in the upper crown and the risk of a swinging fall should be minimized.

 

We would love to have a professional discussion with you and naturally to learn new things from you and your practical experiences. After all, it goes without saying that our list can merely act as an example and in no way presents the full range of gear (slings, carabiners, and pulleys) that can be used. 

 

Sebastian is a passionate single roper who uses this technique much more than Max. He was therefore responsible for this part while Max wrote the MRT section. 

 

Max Soballa 
B. Sc. Arboristics
Self-employed arborist
Product developer for M&M Rope Solutions 
Splicer and dad

MRT directional anchors

Without pulley

Webbing sling with HMS carabiner

Pros Cons
Quick and easy set-up Lots of friction
Very low material expenditure (always on hand) Has to be removed from the top
Well-suited for avoiding a swinging fall Not suitable for lots of climbing

Webbing sling with two carabiners

Pros Cons
Relatively quick and easy set-up Lots of friction
Very low material expenditure (always on hand) Cannot be removed within the system
Removable from the ground Always needs a branch fork to attach the sling
Very efficient with good route planning

Webbing sling with two carabiners, retrieval ball, and mini carabiner

Pros Cons
Low material expenditure Slightly more complex
Can be retrieved in the tree Limits the usable rope length

With pulley

Carabiner, webbing sling, and double pulley

Pros Cons
Simple set-up Has to be removed from the top
Far less friction Have to carry a double pulley for this sole purpose
Double pulley can be replaced with a Pinto Pinto: more friction than with the double pulley

Rope section with Blake’s hitch, double pulley, carabiner, and mini carabiner

Pro Contra
Far less friction Complex set-up
Can be retrieved in the tree Limits the usable rope length
Limited further options for using this gear

Use of a sling with a ring

Pros Cons
Can be used with a pulley or carabiner You “only” hang in a loop
Can be installed as permanent or removable Webbing sling offers more versatile uses

SRT directional anchors

Loose directional anchors

Directional anchor through natural forks

Pro Contra
Quick and easy set-up Anchor points are pulled together (cross load depending on rope angle)
No gear needed for installation Cambium can be damaged
Removable from below Rope has to be fed through the fork
Sometimes difficult to get back through the fork

Webbing sling and carabiner

Pro Contra
Quick installation even under load Anchor points are pulled together (cross load depending on rope angle)
Rope does not have to be pulled through Not removable
Low material expenditure

Multi-sling and carabiner

Pro Contra
Removable within the tree Anchor points are pulled together (cross load depending on rope angle)
Rope does not have to be fed through the fork Set-up somewhat more laborious
You need enough rope

Fixed directional anchors

Webbing sling, carabiner, Munter hitch, and clove hitch

Pro Contra
Anchor points can be pulled taut so as to support one another Has to be removed
Rope does not have to be fed through the fork Load has to be removed from the rope for installation (possible but technically complex)

Carabiner

Pro Contra
Quick and easy set-up Bending load on the carabiner
Anchor points can be pulled taut Cambium can be damaged
Low material expenditure Has to be removed
Rope does not have to be fed through the fork

Rope bight with two half hitches

Pro Contra
Quick and easy set-up Open system (can be secured with a carabiner though)
No gear required Attention needed when creating the two half hitches
Anchor points support each other
Removable from the ground or in version B from the tree
Rope does not have to be fed through the fork

Sebastian Sucker
Kronenläufer Baumpflege
Self-employed arborist
Trainer at the Münchner Baumkletterschule (Munich Tree Climbing School)