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TRAINING & EDUCATION Friction How to manage it in climbing operations By Michael "House" Tain W hether aware of it or not, every crew member, from the highest climber to the lowliest branch manager, spends a majority of the work day dealing with and attempting to manage friction. Although many tree folk may think of the personal friction they have with fellow workers, managers, customers, or even their respective families and spouses, the reality is that the physical quality of friction in their knots and hitches, climbing/rigging lines, and those lovely arboreal structures is far more prevalent in their daily routine. Even the simplest of knots relies on the friction of the rope fibers against itself to function; and anyone who has fought against the friction provided by a shag bark hickory or has had the line zip through their hands over the smooth surface of a eucalyptus has experienced the properties of friction firsthand. Simple actions such as body thrusting up the trunk of a tree are inordinately influenced both positively and negatively by the presence of friction at the tie-in point (TIP); and almost the entire art and science of rigging involve either the application of friction or its reduction. Although friction is ever-present in tree care, a few simple tools 1 A Cambium Saver in place for installation on a climbing line being pulled aloft by a throwline with a slip knot to keep the device in place beneath it. 10 Arbor Age / May/June 2013 and techniques can help make its management much easier; and help tree crews understand how to use it to their advantage whenever possible whether in climbing or rigging applications. In short, energy expended overcoming friction is energy wasted when climbing; and energy spent providing friction in rigging is also energy wasted, better to use available tools and techniques to save all that energy for the work at hand. This article will primarily discuss climbing operations, as to discuss rigging also would exceed the space available, but the basic principles remain the same.The one caveat, of course, is that devices or tools used to manage friction in rigging are never used afterward to manage friction in climbing operations; this mixing of gear that has been exposed to unknown rigging forces can lead to catastrophic failures when someone's life is, quite literally, on the line. In addition, the majority of devices discussed here are intended for climbing system forces; and may fail rather spectacularly if used in rigging operations. Cambium Saver and Caterpillar Friction Saver These devices are probably the simplest in design for managing friction; and are extremely easy to install and remove from the ground. The Cambium Saver consists of a leather tube that the line passes through, thereby reducing friction and wear on the tree's cambium, 2 The Cambium Saver in place in the desired TIP, prior to the final step of pulling the slip knot loose from the ground. 3 The Cambium Saver ready to be climbed on after the slip knot has been pulled loose. Photos on this page by Michael "House" Tain www.arborage.com