Spent three hours trying to get a rope out of a tree yesterday...

Had a simple takedown in Springfield, just a medium oak. Threw my line over a good limb, maybe 60 feet up. Pulled the rope through and... it just vanished. No knot, no snag, nothing. The limb had this tiny, hidden fork I didn't see from the ground, and the rope slipped right down into it, getting wedged tight. I spent the next two hours trying to hook it with a pole saw, then finally had to climb up there myself. The whole job, which should have taken 90 minutes, turned into a half-day saga. My ground guy just kept saying, 'It's just a rope...' which did not help. Anyone ever have a simple piece of gear just decide to ruin your whole schedule?

2 comments

2 Comments

faithf776d ago

Ugh, that hidden fork is the worst. I always give the rope a good shake from the ground now before I commit.

the_faith6d ago

It's a solid move that applies to way more than just ropes. So many things in life have hidden splits you don't see until you're already in deep. Checking the load before you strap down, looking at a used car's frame, even reading the fine print on a contract. That quick shake from the ground saves you a world of hassle later. Makes you wonder why we ever assume the straight path is the only one.