line.An additional consideration when using a slide line is what the traveler or carriage is going to consist of.This is the hardware that "trav- els"down and up the slide line conveying the load.Although a simple carabiner may seem quite sufficient and expedient,it is typically a poor choice except in the lightest of loads and situations. Better options — both to minimize friction and ensure strength — would include some sort of pulley (several of which are designed and intended for slide line use).The landing zone or end point of the slide line should also have some form of system, such as a Port-a-wrap, that allows the slide line to be "slacked" to allow the load to be detached, unless the climber enjoys watching branch managers struggle with large woody debris several feet off the ground.
Advanced rigging techniques can't be mastered by reading this brief
description;but the basic information,advantages,and disadvantages dis- cussed here can assist in further discovering the joys and wonders of rigging.Additional education and training in these techniques,along with the many others constantly being developed and refined cannot help but lead to safer,more efficient tree care professionals.
Michael "House"Tain is a contract climber, splicer, educator and writer associated
with North American Training Solutionswww.northamericantrainingsolutions.com and Arbor Canada Training and Educationwww.arborcanada.com.He is currently located in Lancaster,Ky.,and can be reached via e-mail at house@houseoftain.com.
The GRCS being used by one branch manager to easily control and move a very large piece.
Photo by Odis Sisk
www.arborage.com
Arbor Age / October 2012 11
