Rigging speed line forces

2010 | Joseph Scharf, University of Massachusetts
This research aims to record the forces and stresses generated on the ropes and trees used in a speed line process and how these forces affect the rigging gear and tree stability. The project aims to quantify the 2 basic risks to the climber and the ground crew. First is the failure of rigging gear such as ropes, pulleys, and friction devices. Second is the failure of some part of the tree itself. Once the forces are determined, the project will provide practical guidelines useful to climbers and ground crews for judging the mass of branches and trunk pieces which a speed line system can safely handle.

For more information on this project, contact the researcher via TREE Fund at treefund@treefund.org.