My climbing line got a nasty core shot from a bad redirect

It happened Tuesday on a big oak removal in Springfield. I was setting a redirect around a thick limb, maybe 18 inches across, and the rope ran over a sharp stub I missed. When I pulled it through, I felt that awful rough grab. The sheath was cut about halfway through, and I could see the white core. I had to stop the climb right then and switch to my backup line. Has anyone found a good way to check for those hidden sharp spots when you're setting a line from the ground?

2 comments

2 Comments

ivanl1820d ago

That "hidden sharp spot" problem is a real killer. I always try to walk the whole redirect path on the ground before I even throw my line. Look up from different spots, get your eyes level with the branch union. Sometimes you can spot a broken stub from one angle that's invisible from another.

linda_knight5120d ago

Yeah, walking the path is key like @ivanl18 said. I got a rope sawed through once because I missed a tiny, broken twig pointing straight down like a needle. It was hidden behind a leaf cluster from my setup spot. Now I literally crawl around on my knees to see up into the union from below. That low angle shows you all the nasty stuff pointing straight down your planned rope line.