Moving the climbing rope along a branch
In situations such as that shown on the right , where the rope has passed over the desired branch but is isolated further out on the branch rather than in the union , climbing the rope may apply unacceptable leverage to the branch .
Many techniques are available to move the rope past the obstacle and closer into the useable union . Two such techniques are described below :
1 : ‘ Bowling ’ a loop
Using a quick forward motion , a coil or loop of rope is ‘ thrown ’ up along the line , so that the rope jumps clear of the branch and drops down to the union .
To help move the rope in the intended direction the climber should alter where they are standing . Rope ‘ bowled ’ toward the butt of the branch should jump toward the butt and rope bowled toward the tip of the branch will jump away from the trunk toward the end of the branch .
With practice , a rope can be jumped up and over obstacles up to 20m away higher in the tree .
One additional trick is to tie the end of the rope onto a pole or stick ( ie BIG SHOT or pole pruner pole ), then use the pole to ‘ bowl ’ the loop - this will jump the rope much higher and further .
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