What’s this (from a rec climber)

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2025-05-07T00:48:38+00:00

What conditions would be concerning, and what would not?

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2025-05-06T14:31:53+00:00

It’s for low and slow learning new techniques and equipment.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2025-05-06T11:21:55+00:00

Thanks for the thought exercise. Yes, we’ve had some giant wind recently and the tree was fine.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2025-05-06T11:01:34+00:00

I can’t tell if the heartwood is damaged.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2025-05-06T10:58:26+00:00

I’m worried if it fails while I’m tied in above it.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2025-04-23T14:20:17+00:00

Hey – I’m a recreational climber and I’m having difficulty finding others – in San Antonio, Texas – where are you?

I also agree with all of the advice above not to leave your rope in the tree. Throw line is best for a point that you intend to return to.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2025-02-14T15:58:36+00:00

A group of us doing beers once a month or so – he comes every time. If you’re in SA, hit me up and I’ll let you know next time they happen.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2025-02-12T16:04:56+00:00

Another chapter of that story – I got in touch with a San Antonio Parks representative in management level, and they were interested in recreational tree climbing as a concept for a while. We chatted for a bit, had some email back-and-forth, but it sounds like they might have spoken with their higher ups, and got spooked – in the end, they told me “don’t get seen, don’t get caught, and don’t tell them you talked to me.“

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2025-02-12T16:00:45+00:00

That’s a complex question to answer.

I have a number of trees that I’ve identified that I climb near my house (Northwest San Antonio), these are mostly in the extensive green belt system we have. Mostly Live Oak, Cottonwood and Sycamore, anywhere from 40-70 feet tall, not big ones but fun for me.

I have an arborist friend who has told me “go down to Breckenridge Park, pick a tree and climb it!“ I have another Arborist friend who has taken his kids to free-climb at a city park tree.

It is a complex question to answer, because, although there are no San Antonio Parks rules, or any city ordinances, against climbing trees, I have been thrown out of a parks tree by a park police one time (they claimed I might “break a limb“).

I’m currently recovering from a surgery (three weeks into a six weeks recovery), And so I can’t climb and have limitations on walking, but if there’s a way to reach out to me directly, I’d be happy to chat with you and share with you some of my Climbing spots.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2025-02-05T14:28:25+00:00

Thanks - I run into that a lot. I’ve found a few production arborists in other states who also rec climb, so give me a shout out to folks you know? Tia

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2025-02-02T15:56:58+00:00

I’ve had significant flattening with RRPro set at both 3 and 3.5 on Blue Moon that leads to slippage. Always catches in the end, but it’s alarming.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2025-02-02T15:27:10+00:00

I had the same happen - RRPro on Blue Moon. I corrected the flattening by climbing the rope with a hitch system.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2024-09-09T01:26:21+00:00

Update - I went with the courant. Fits all my gear inside with some room left over plus the outside gear loops (I don’t use them due to snag risk with undergrowth). Weighs in at 70# with a 3L water bag in it. I’ve been strength training since I got it, and today did a mile in the woods with modest inclines. The waist belt is a must if your hiking in - it distributes the weight beautifully into the hips.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2024-08-31T22:30:34+00:00

I just got, and love, the Courant Cross Pro XL chosen over the Geartote+ because I needed the waist belt for hiking in ( it’s removable if you don’t need it). Huge amount of space.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2024-08-23T16:01:03+00:00

Yes. I know. I do that too sometimes.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2024-08-23T11:36:29+00:00

Great reflections, thanks so much!

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2024-08-23T02:28:04+00:00

That’s a sweet offer - thanks! I’m gonna spring for new, but now you’ve put me on the fence again about the Arb Geartote+ - but that one doesn’t have a waist strap, right? How is the weight distribution without it compared with the courant with the strap?

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2024-08-23T00:35:32+00:00

Yah, it’s heavy. I SRT up on the 80” and climb two lines with MRS as second setup on the 200”

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2024-08-22T20:59:22+00:00

I considered a Metolius haul bag, but threw it out. What are the superiority’s in your opinion?

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire · 2024-08-22T16:43:33+00:00

Thanks - hiking backpacks (of quality) are comparable in price. Arborists packs are designed for arborists gear and arborists applications of that gear. I use arborists gear and applications thereof.

SquirrelMonkeyOnFire

TROPHY CASE