Climbers' Corner • Tree Academy
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday
The Double-System Technique (DST): Working in Trees with Redundant Safety
Summary
How
can tree climbing be even safer? If we
back up every piece of positioning equipment and add a secondary climbing line,
can we eliminate the possibility of falling out of the tree? Does the Double-System Technique save time,
money, and injury?
This Climber’s Corner demonstration will
explore the concept, practice, and gear necessary to perform tree work with a
fully redundant climbing system. This
will include an ascent and working strategy for both deciduous and conifer
trees. Troubleshooting, gear pricing,
and system improvement will be discussed as part of the DST evolution.
Presenters
Nicholas Whittaker Dankers is a graduate student at the University of Washington. With 11-years as a tree climber and 22-years as a mountaineer, he has used this arboricultural experience to develop a simplified, redundant climbing system where any piece can fail without catastrophic results. After presenting at the Portland and Toronto conferences, he has refined the Double-System Technique to a functional, safe practice.
Climbers' Corner • Tree Academy
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday