Climbing system setups and terminology
Vertical rescue teams use a wide variety of ascenders , descenders , connectors and adjusters to form rope climbing systems . It is not the intention of this manual to prescribe specific components . Rather , it is assumed that rescue teams will configure suitable systems for ascent , positioning and descent using the components they have available .
Consequently , the intention of this section is to provide a collection of techniques that can be used with a wide range of suitable components , and to focus on those elements which are specific to trees and may be unfamiliar to vertical rescue teams .
In Stationary Rope Technique ( SRT ) climbing systems , climbing lines are set up and secured in many different configurations to achieve specific climbing goals . All tree setups fall into one of the following two categories :
Anchor point
Suspension Point ( SP )
Redirect
Climbing side ( or end )
Place where the rope is secured or attached .
Place where a loaded rope is supported and load is applied to tree structure , where the rope is anchored ( tied-off ) elsewhere .
Point where a loaded rope makes an angle , other than the primary suspension point .
The part of an anchored rope on the climber ’ s side of the suspension point or points , or on the climber ’ s side of the closest redirect .
Basal anchor
Canopy anchor
The climbing rope is installed through a union or other Suspension Point ( SP ) or points in the canopy , but is secured to a tree or other suitable anchor point at ground level , such that the climbing side of the climbing rope can be ascended .
The climbing rope is secured in some manner to a suitable anchor point within the crown of the tree .
Whichever setup is used , the installation of subsequent redirects - which may be above or below the main anchor or suspension point - will change the way in which anchor points behave .
Regardless of how the line is secured , the following terminology will be used :
Anchor side ( or end )
Main line ( or primary climbing system )
Belay line ( or secondary climbing system )
The part of an anchored rope on the other side of the suspension point or points from the climber , or on the other side of the furthest redirect .
The climbing rope onto which the climber has installed their ascent , descent or work positioning system .
The climbing rope onto which the climber has installed their backup autobelay system , e . g . Petzl ASAP or similar .
This terminology is illustrated on the facing page .
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