I thought using a climbing line for rigging was a bad idea until a job in Sedona

For a long time, I was sure you should only use a static line for rigging. I saw a guy on a job in Sedona last fall using his climbing line, a 16-strand, to lower a big limb. I was ready to say something, but he had it set up with a running bowline and a port-a-wrap, and it worked perfectly. He said he does it all the time on tricky, light rigging where he needs the line to stretch a bit to soften the catch. I tried it myself on a recent removal of a dead pine, just for a few small top pieces, and the extra give really helped control the swing. It made me rethink my hard rule. Has anyone else found a good use for a dynamic line in rigging, or is this just asking for trouble on bigger wood?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_cole11d agoMost Upvoted

Man, that Sedona story hits home. I was just as stuck on the static line rule until a buddy showed me the same trick on a sketchy backyard maple. We used his old climbing line to lower a few limbs over a fence, and that bit of stretch was a lifesaver for keeping things smooth. It definitely feels wrong at first, but for small, awkward pieces it just works. I wouldn't trust it for big wood, but it's a solid tool for the right job.

the_paul11d ago

Honestly that "feels wrong at first" thing is so true. I had the same gut reaction using a stretchy line to lower a branch over a shed. Tbh it just lets the piece settle in without that harsh jerk, which is way safer for the spotter. Ngl you gotta know the limits, but it's a smart trick.

kim73311d ago

Yeah, that "feels wrong at first" part is key, @the_cole. It's one of those things you have to unlearn from the textbook to actually get the job done safely.