Mast climbing

[smackdaddy]

Dude - keep it simple. It's not rocket surgery...

The View From The Top

[blt2ski]

David,

just checking in before going to sleep, I'll see if I can find a pic of how I do this from a wrap standpoint, or Ishould be back a the boat tomorrow sunday, I'll see if I can get a pic to show how. Takes four beiners around the harness. One in the front, back and ea side.

Marty

[adriana]

Have been using mastmate ( see mastmate.com) for a few years now. Easy to use, and can be operated without assistance.

For work aloft which takes more than 10 minutes it can be advisable to hoist the bosun chair to the required level and step in after climbing up.

[xymotic]

I used a similar system only 6:1

1) even at 6:1 I wouldn't call it 'easy' to hoist my fat ass up.

2) It takes forever to run through that much rope.

3) As you said there is a height penalty.

So I guess I'm curious how you find it to work going up and what's your age/weight/build?

Like I said I found it pretty difficult, I'm 43 slight to med build and 180#.

[MysticGringo]

Originally Posted by blt2ski

David,

just checking in before going to sleep, I'll see if I can find a pic of how I do this from a wrap standpoint, or Ishould be back a the boat tomorrow sunday, I'll see if I can get a pic to show how. Takes four beiners around the harness. One in the front, back and ea side.

Marty

Very few climbing harnesses have gear loops that are rated for full weight! Be very careful that you are using one of those if you are doing it this way! Most harnesses the only loop rated for human weight is the belay loop.

Incase it wasn't clear, using a gear loop on your "typical" climbing harness will result in failure if you load it with human load (eventually of not immediately).

[davidpm]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

Oh, one more thing......

With a 4:1 block ratio, won't you need about 200' of line?

I'm figuring on 350' feet.

[davidpm]

Originally Posted by xymotic

I used a similar system only 6:1

1) even at 6:1 I wouldn't call it 'easy' to hoist my fat ass up.

2) It takes forever to run through that much rope.

3) As you said there is a height penalty.

So I guess I'm curious how you find it to work going up and what's your age/weight/build?

Like I said I found it pretty difficult, I'm 43 slight to med build and 180#.

I'm 205 lbs and 62 and yes that is a worry. While I can haul 50 lbs plus I'm wondering if I will have enough energy to do anything once I get up there. I'm working on my chin-ups.
I'm thinking that 6 to 1 would be just too slow and I believe their are more and more friction losses the more turns you have in the rope.

[davidpm]

Originally Posted by MysticGringo

Very few climbing harnesses have gear loops that are rated for full weight! Be very careful that you are using one of those if you are doing it this way! Most harnesses the only loop rated for human weight is the belay loop.

In-case it wasn't clear, using a gear loop on your "typical" climbing harness will result in failure if you load it with human load (eventually of not immediately).

I was planning on tying the lower block to the person belay loop along with a large biner. Then tie the working end of the line to that spare biner when I want to let go of it.

If my knot comes loose the downward slide should be very slow or not existent with both ratchet blocks engaged.

[jameswilson29]

I recommend the climbing harness, ascenders and aiders method.

[Harborless]

I dont want to hijack your thread David but what are your thoughts concerning just using a ladder thats tied to the mast to keep it from toppling over? Obviously it wont get you to mast head height but I have an anchor light about 13' off the deck I am thinking of using it to try and put in.