Rope Ladder

[JGON]

Hey there gear junkies...

I'm looking for a good rope ladder that is compact and portable but can support the weight of a 200 lb man and gear. I am hoping to find something that has some sort of grappling hook on the end so that it can be slung over a tree branch and be secure enough with that attachment point alone to support the weight. The tricky thing is, I am going to be using the rope ladder to get in and out of a kayak, so I cannot secure the top end when I deploy the ladder as I will be in the boat. The next part is, since I will need to use the ladder to lower myself into the boat, I also will most likely need to retrieve the ladder from the boat once I get down. Have any of you come across a piece of gear that will suit these needs?

If you are curious, this is the type of thing I will be using this for...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=763866

Thanks much,

Jgon

 

[Les Snyder]

if you can attach one end at the base to a secure limb, throw over the upper support beam, climb the vertical section with prussic knots... regards Les

 

[JGON]

if you can attach one end at the base to a secure limb, throw over the upper support beam, climb the vertical section with prussic knots... regards Les

I was thinking just a simple rope with knots might do the trick, with some sort of hook on the end, or even a longer rope which I can throw over the branch and secure somehow. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Les Snyder]

I just weed whacked the yard, and in replacing the line on the string trimmer, a thought occurred. A friend had previously made a rope ladder (of knotted foot loops) out of tubular nylon for a project he was working on, but had problem keeping the loops open. How about a section of the heavy trimmer line inside the tubular nylon at the loop area to keep it open, but still flexible. regards Les

 

[JGON]

That may just work. I might see if I can pick some material up. If it works I will post some pics. Thanks Les.

J

 

[Cougar Allen]

Google aid climbing etrier. Etrier is French for ladder, but in mountain climbing it refers to a kind of rope ladder made of nylon webbing. Do you have a store nearby that sells climbing equipment? You can buy them on the net, or make one yourself if you have a heavy-duty sewing machine....

 

[JGON]

Google aid climbing etrier. Etrier is French for ladder, but in mountain climbing it refers to a kind of rope ladder made of nylon webbing. Do you have a store nearby that sells climbing equipment? You can buy them on the net, or make one yourself if you have a heavy-duty sewing machine....

This is actually very close to what I was looking for. Now I just have to figure out how to secure it! Trial and error (experience) will most likely show me the answer.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Why reinvent the wheel? There's lots of information about aid climbing on the net. Mountain climbers have been using etriers with pitons and nuts and bolts and things long enough to figure it out. You want to use it with a branch -- that'll make it a little easier....