climbers

[libby lou lou]

We have a few tall trees, house/gutter height branches to throw a rope over and pull a harnessed grandaughter/climber at 6 yrs old.

Have you done this, seriously, any problems you had?.

 

[Norcon]

Ropes can break, branches can break, harnesses can break etc.
Maybe risky?

 

[mdf290]

It would take more than simply throwing a rope tbh.

The rope will get friction and the branch could snap you might burn your hands or simply fail to hold the rope tight enough.

If you really want to do it then get a ladder and bolt an eybolt in to the trunk with a suitably sized bolt to take the weight of a swinging child (which she will be if she slips.)
You might also like to consider a fall arrestor attached to this eybolt assuming it will move and swing freely.

Another alternative would be some reasonably inexpensive climbing equipment such as ropes, carabiners etc.
In fact you could do a climbing course yourself and learn how you control someone with a rope.

The prospect of dropping your gradaughter as the wet rope is tugged through your hands just does not bear thinking about.

Alternatively take her to one of the 'Go Ape' activity centres if there is one near you.

 

[joe-90]

We used to climb trees as kids without any harnesses whatsoever. Pretty high up too.

 

[mdf290]

We did too and quarries and cliffs and even electricity pylons

....but we did all that without parental approval and out of site.

This scenario is someone who has a responsibility.. a grandparent.

 

[ntb]

Don't even think about doing it with Beech trees.

 

[RigidRaider]

FFS just go to a climbing shop and buy a 20m length of 9mm rope, chuck it over a branch and tie the other end round her waist. If you want to make her more comfy, get hold of an old climbing harness. Be sure to use a decent knot. Put the rope behind your back and run the "live" bit through one hand and wrap the "dead" end once round the other hand. Wear gardening gloves.

 

[peterperfection]

FFS just go to a climbing shop and buy a 20m length of 9mm rope, chuck it over a branch and tie the other end round her waist. If you want to make her more comfy, get hold of an old climbing harness. Be sure to use a decent knot. Put the rope behind your back and run the "live" bit through one hand and wrap the "dead" end once round the other hand. Wear gardening gloves.

I used to go lassooing horses in a farmers field and ride them bareback.
When he caught us and gave us a good slap- we went into another field and caught cows and rode them too.
Tree rope swinging is tame . But- old days were best- anything goes .

 

[libby lou lou]

Actually bought 30m of tree surgeons rope, ebay, £8.99, and bidding for a second hand harness at the mo. Only a fiver it's looking like.

Was just asking if it would be a reasonably safe thing to do.She loves climbing door frames, sheds, garages,going upstairs on the outside of the rails, so for 20 quid seems a good idea.Thanks rigid, that's what i wanted to hear.



P.S. Why not on beech, does it break easily ?

 

[LastMagicBean]

I used to go lassooing horses in a farmers field and ride them bareback.

There's a joke there somewhere.

 

[misterdubya]

I used to go lassooing horses in a farmers field and ride them bareback.

I used to do that with the mingers in Luton - in Marsh Farm

 

[enyam]

I used to go lassooing horses in a farmers field and ride them bareback.
.

The farmers daughters were more fun.

 

[mdf290]

FFS just go to a climbing shop and buy a 20m length of 9mm rope, chuck it over a branch and tie the other end round her waist. If you want to make her more comfy, get hold of an old climbing harness. Be sure to use a decent knot. Put the rope behind your back and run the "live" bit through one hand and wrap the "dead" end once round the other hand. Wear gardening gloves.

Not quite enough info there to describe what you mean. I know what you are getting at as a trained climber but it doesn't consider many possibilities.

Rather than putting the rope over a branch it would be better to put a loop round the trunk just above a branch with a carabiner and run the rope through that.

Not only that but you haven't considered clothing issues other than gloves.
or whether a 6yr old child falling say three metres would not be too big a load for an unsupported grandmother who is not belayed into position.

 

[pred]

As a young boy i would often tie up my neighbour with a length of rope but her mother complained to my dad...

 

[RigidRaider]

I would chuck the rope over a branch, the friction will be enough to stabilise the setup especially if Granny keeps the rope reasonably tight. The tape and krab suggestion means somebody has to climb the tree to place them... and they might fall out of the tree! EEK!

And yes, wear a stiff thick jacket so that the rope doesn't burn your back as you lower your little darling back to earth.