Video

Thanks! I've never tried that. I'm not sure how efficiently it would work in the rad system, or if it would make sense. I actually dont' climb much anymore on a rad system, but I'll try to remember to check it out and see what happens sometime.....

Glad you liked it! Thanks for the feedback.

Line setting is a whole other subject. There should be plenty of how-to videos on youtube for it. I have a demo video somewhere on my channel if you dig around. You don't need to climb to install your climbing rope. You can easily do it from the ground using a 'throw-line' kit. Basically it's a weighted beanbag with a ring on it that you attach a special string to, and you throw that up and over what ever branch/union you want to use, and when it comes back down, you tie your climbing rope to the string, and pull your rope up and over the branch and then either install a base or canopy anchor and you're good to go. There are different styles of throwing you can use, or you can use an arborist sling shot to install it as well. I can hand throw (one handed) around 60' and my sling shot ('big shot') is good for 100'.

I used a 'base' anchor, (or 'basal' anchor). If you search for it on youtube there should be plenty of arborist channels that have good video's on it. You could also use a 'canopy' anchor, but base anchors are easier. If you're not familiar with the process, you have a 'throw ball' (basically a weighted beanbag with a loop on it) that you tie a special really strong string to. You then throw the weight up and over a high strong branch or union in the tree. When it comes down the other side, and you've captured the branch/union you want to use, you tie your climbing rope to one end of the string (called 'throwline) and pull up your rope. When the rope goes up and over your desired branch/union, and back down to you, you tie off an anchor around the base of the tree and you're ready to climb up the free side of the rope. Somewhere on my channel I have a demo video of setting a line in a tree.

Hi. I'm not positive I fully follow your question. It is possible to keep the tail of your rope in your hand while you tie a knot with both hands. If the grigri cam ever were to start to slip, or just not engage, it doesn't take too much force/friction on the tail to trigger the cam to engage. I'd definitely recommend having a short length adjustable lanyard to use while up in the tree, then you can be double tied in, and not have to worry about anything. Good luck with it all!

Thank you so much! I went with a madrock safeguard and plan to tie a knot to block it and go hands free, and then also have a tether as a backup.​@judsonkimble

This video was filmed on a cell phone in the vertical format. It was what met my needs best with having a verticalLy oriented video and wanting to keep the camera tripod as close to me as possible so that the microphone quality would still be good. It's not ideal but if I went to horizontal/full screen mode, my camera would have been much further away and everything would've been smaller and the audio would've suffered.

Thank you, Mark! I really appreciate the feedback, and I'm glad you got something out of them! Thanks for the comment.

I've never tried that before. I believe I know what you are suggesting. I'm not sure if that is 'hard' on the grigri.... Sorry I can't give you a proper answer. I like that the RAD system doens't require a foot ascender. I like the minimal gear, and I like that I can use my arms as the same time that I'm stepping into the simple foot loop. If I were going to use a foot ascender, I would just switch to a different climbing system. These days I primarily am using arborist rope walking setups (unless I'm deep in the backcountry and trying to keep my pack weight way down). So, I use a foot ascender and knee ascender. I can't lie, it is more efficient that the rad system, but I still like them both.

​@@judsonkimble Thanks for the feedback, yeah I was testing the foot ascender in combination with the hand ascender, but it does complicate things. Rope walking sounds good, I hope you do a tutorial on your setup sometime. I pretty much used this video only to set up my RAD system, only thing I've added is a Roll N Lock to back up the grigri for hands free.

The device specs are on the back (rope sizes approved), and it might look like a dial, but there are no adjustments that can be made to the grigri. It works great as is.

on my gri gri plus three's a dial that is a dial. I probably just have a different one.@@judsonkimble

Gotcha. I do remember hearing about that 'plus' model having extra safety features. I forgot about that. I've never used it personally....@@markkent8436

Thanks anyway, this video got me going! Just climbed tha backyard tree using the RAD system.@@judsonkimble

Thanks! This was the first rescue I used my ZigZag/Chicane on. It's a very nice device. Once familiar with it, it is very smooth (more so than a regular hitchcord), but it's also a little more sensitive and if you accidentally bump the release links into anything you can slip a little bit- so, I prefer to use it on easier climbs that are less technical where there is less chance of it being annoying. It is a great device (and it's even better for MRS climbing), but to be honest It's not a huge difference over just using a hitchcord and rope wrench. It's very fun though.

Thank you! Yes, they are usually VERY vocal. You can often hear them down the road even. (often non stop as well). It also helped that this cat was mostly white, and stood out in the darker green foliage of this pine.

I like simple top loading packs. Either from the hiking world, or the rock climbing world. I use a 45L Trango Crag Pack 2.0 when I'm trying to go as lightweight as possible; and my main general purpose pack is a Blue Ice Moonlight 55L pack, which I love. Both rock climbing packs. I find the dedicated arborist packs to either have way too many specialized compartments, and/or to just be too clunky in general, and not have a hip belt, or be built for longer treks.

Thank you! That is great to hear! Thanks for the comment.

Thank you! Yes, I'm in the greater Burlington, VT area. I try to stay within 1 hour of Burlington for rescues.

This one is the Petzl RIG! Great device! Would recommend.

Thank you! Windermere was as easy as they come. Always a good experience. Thanks for checking it out and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Cheers.

It's not recommended by Petzl, but as long as you understand how the grigri works, and feel comfortable with it, all you need to do is throw any kind of stopper knot in the tail of your rope just below the grigri for backup. Should the grigri cam slip, you'll just drop 6 inches or so, and the stopper knot will jam into the grigri and bind up the system (stop you). You can go hands free without doing this, and you'll most likely be fine, but always good practice (and easy to do) to just throw a knot in the tail of your rope below the grigri. I usually just do an overhand knot on a bight. There are more complicated ways to do a 'hard lock', but i've never bothered to go that far, because I've tested out the stopper knot approach, and it works great. The Petzl RIG however, does have additional safely features and you can 'officially' go hands free without having to add in any backup stopper knots.

Thanks! I think both approaches are worth learning. If it's super basic work you are after, you can definitely do it with the RAD system- though, I would recommend using the Petzl RIG and not the GriGri. it's stronger, and has more safety features. Much safer option. They both function the same, but the rig is more professional and the grigri is more for recreation. It's a lot cheaper to go this route than get a rope walking setup, but down the road you can do more with the ropewalking. More gear and money though. At the end of the day it a personal decision. RAD system would be less investment up front, and is a bit more simple to learn well initially. I'd probably recommend starting with a RAD setup, and then upgrade to the other options you mention down the road. Good luck!

@@judsonkimble Thanks Judson - your reply & expertise really helps us all understand the process of getting good, solid experience, equipment, & education of this field. Thanks to your video & response, I think the RAD system is the better way for me to learn first - really appreciate it!

@@davparksoh Thank you. I'm glad I can help. I'm not an expert by any means, but I am passionate about what I do and have put a lot of time/research/money into learning to climb, so it's nice to be able to give back a bit. I mostly learned from youtube myself a few years ago. Best of luck with everything.

@@judsonkimble Really appreciate your help! I also wondered what was the particular small pulley brand used in this vid? - and can 1/2'' three strand bull rope be used for the hand, chest, & foot ascenders instead of the various climbing ropes?

@@davparksoh You're welcome! This purple micro-pulley is by CMI. Available on any arborist supply website. It's my favorite micro pulley. I'm not sure about your rope question. I've never used that style of rope before. It would definitely be too big for the petzl grigri, and possibly also the petzl RIG, but maybe would fit in the petzl ID device, but I'm also not sure if 3 strand style ropes work in these devices. Sorry I can't help there....

I've never used a dynamic rope. I think you could, it would just be VERY stretchy/bouncy and not as efficient. I think most dynamic ropes are around 30 percent elongation, and the static ropes that I use are between 1 and 3 percent.

Thank you, Beaux!

Nice! Very cool application. Hope it goes well for you. The grigri (and the rig) are awesome tools. Thanks for the message.

Definitely. I always wear gloves. Some gloves can be too grippy in my opinion, but the ones I'm wearing are my favorite. Just the right amount of grip. thin enough to be able to do what you need to do, but strong enough to protect your hands from wear/burns. these are just your average 'nitrile dipped' work gloves from lowes/home depot.

Thank you! I appreciate your feedback, and I'm happy you enjoyed it. Have fun!

Thanks! Glad you liked it. The gloves are just basic thin nitrile dipped work gloves found at Lowes/Home Depot. These happen to be a 'high vis' offering I found at lowes. This style of glove is my preference. Very good dexterity, and grip is good. Here is a direct link: www.lowes.com/pd/West-Chester-Large-5-Pack-Mens-Polyester-Nitrile-Dipped-Multipurpose-Gloves/1001831864

Hi- Thanks for the kind words, and for checking out the video(s)! That's great you climb as well. I had been climbing for a couple of years before getting into the cat rescue. Probably the easiest thing you can do is make up a little info card and mail it off to your local animal shelters/police/fire departments. They'll be glad to have the name/number of a climber. It might be slow at first, but things will build, and word of mouth will spread over time. Good luck!

Sounds awesome. I couldn't agree more. I'm mostly rope walking these days too. Glad to know multiple systems though. I've got my 150' rope walking kit at about 37lbs packed up. Not too bad. Wish I had found climbing earlier too, but just grateful I found it. Cheers!

@@judsonkimble Yes is great.Stay safe.

Still an affordable pastime despite your outlay. Look what a lot of guys spend on golf clubs, motorcycles, airplanes, fishing gear and boats, etc. And as you say, great exercise and emotionally healthy.

Thanks! It's just a simple laundry bag with drawstring from walmart. Cut a slit in bottom and sew in glove of your choice. It's a great option. Some cats let you pick them up with two hands normally, others require the scruff technique. This was a tricky rescue. I actually spent an hour trying to set a line in this tree. only options were like 70' up. nothing great to work with. I did a bounce test on one, but all the branches sloped downwards, and i just couldnt' get the shot up on the branch collar, and after testing line i knew branch(es) would fail. Luckily the big ladder was still kicking around. First time using a ladder, but I did feel safe with lanyard around it.....

@@judsonkimble I've seen way too many rescues now where the cat just jumps -- that bag trick is brilliant and your kitty-talk-method chills those kitties right out! You are the Cat Rescuer

Thanks, Spencer! No doubt! Her claws were fully extended, but only as back up. She did great. This was the 2nd time rescuing her, and she seemed to remember the drill.

@@judsonkimble Woah! A repeat offender!

Thanks, Denis! I guess I'm getting old (like you!) ;) Mostly playing in standard tuning these days. Thanks for checking it out.