Texas Climbing System (SRT)

With the CMI handled ascender kit, an ascent might go as follows: Place your rope over a sturdy branch using a throwbag or other high reach delivery system, staying out a bit from the trunk. With both ends of the rope in hand, tie a running bowline to one and run the knot up to the limb, or tie the falling end of the line to the tree trunk. Clip your ascenders to the rope. Connect your harness to the ascender ring using a carabiner (not included) and sit. Insert your feet into the foot loops and stand. Lift upper ascender and sit, lift bottom ascender and stand. Repeat this inch worm technique to your destination, resting when necessary). For a descent, thread a figure of 8 on line between the ascenders, then remove the ascender(s) and comedown. While at a conference in New Zealand, I was amazed to learn that most climbing tree work is done there in this manner. Once the climbers are aloft, they redirect the line to the crotch of their choice and work from there. Few were familiar with the American two-ended rope technique. Nylon webbing is permanently stitched into place with a steel ring for clip-in. Foot-strap design gives the climber independent leg movement for straddling limbs or the tree's trunk.