Muddy, what size ascender are you using OR what size rope is the ascender rated to?

I sell tree climbing equipment to arborists and the ascenders we use are rated from 8mm up to around 13mm (5/16-1/2"). If you use smaller diameter rope, you might as well not have anything because it could fail on a hard fall.

REMEMBER - THIS IS YOUR LIFE! Why not purchase a quality rope from a reputable source? Sure it is expensive but so is your bow, gun, scope, binocs, etc. Your $1000 gun aint gonna be worth squat to you if your dead from falling out of a tree.

I also sell ropes that professional tree climbers use. They start at 62 cents per foot, 1/2" diameter, and are rated6200 -8,000#. The rule of thumb we go by is 10% working load. That means your 8K rope should not exceed 800 lbs. I know that is still a lot, but at least your safe. As for how long one lasts, this could last you 5+ yrs no more often than you will use it.

I will try in the next couple of days to put together something to show how and what to use if you want to use ascenders or prusik type knots.

BOBCO- 2400 pound rope= 240 pound working load. If you weigh 240 or more, 1 fall would shock load your rope and it could break.


Campo- you do want some strech. No stretch on a fall can lead to other injury.

AND ONE MORE THING- Dont leave your safety ropes up in the tree for extended periods of time. Sun and rain deteriorate ropes quick.