Tree Climbing Workshop; Downloads; Redirect Challenge
The first VTIO advanced tree climbing workshop took place on Monday 5th July and was a great success. The day was clear and warm despite some early clouds, and we were lucky enough not to get any rain.
The group completed a range of scenarios set in five different trees, and used some surprising and innovative techniques. We also spent time indoors, looking at force vectors and discussing the VTIO Tree Climbing Guidelines. The VTIO hopes to take these out of the draft stage by the Victorian Tree Climbing Competition (tentatively scheduled for Oct. 23rd in Warragul) and we really need feedback from the climbing community!
The handouts from the workshop (on Force Vectors, Redirects, and Single Rope Technique) are now available in PDF format from the Downloads section of the website. These are intended to be ‘living’ documents, and will be regularly revised as techniques evolve and new equipment gets produced, so do get in touch if you have a better way of doing things or think that an old favourite which we have left out ought to be included.
Please also get your thinking caps on, and check out the Redirect Challenge, in the Redirects download. The VTIO is offering a prize of $300 for the best new redirect plan sent in by the VTCC, in late October. Ged Reynolds is currently leading the field with an innovative variation on the ‘Ropeman Redirect’.
The VTIO would like to thank the City of Boroondara for their invaluable help and support in making this workshop such a success. In addition, Cannings of Mt Waverley were ready as always to give their support for the industry, and provided the sponsorship which let us hold this event. The ATRAES group will soon have several of the SRT systems discussed and demonstrated, as well as a custom-spliced redirect, available for sale through their website. Even if you missed the workshop, you should take the time to check out this exciting new gear!
The VTIO is also looking forward to running another workshop between now and the climbing competition. Details are still to be confirmed, but both ‘Aerial Rescue’ and ‘Visual Tree Assessment’ are strong candidates. Keep checking the website for more details closer to the time.