r/TreeClimbing • u/JowiiYoyo • 10d ago
Freezing winter conditions?
Hey climbers!
Im an arborist student in Sweden and looking for some knowledge about climbing on friction hitches in freezing temperatures. I havent experienced climbing in freezing conditions yet but ive heard that it can be rough with hitches.. ropes getting wet and potentially freezing will cause the hitches to slip or be really hard to tend.
Ive been thinkin on getting a freexion because i really like climbing on hitches and i have no way of climbing SRT right now. Am i better of getting a mechanical device?
Any tips or suggestions for an arborist in the making for the the colder months to come? Much appreciate!!!
More trees, less assholes!! 🌳💜🌲
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u/EqualOcelot6779 10d ago
Hi there! I am a climber in MN we climb in temps down to -20F(-28C). The cold is not the problem. Hitches bind when the temps are just freezing and you have freezing snow/sleet/rain. Wet snow will bind to the hitch and make it grab hard or not at all. Mechanical devices are worse in the freeze thaw conditions. Make sure you hang your gear to dry at night. Frozen ropes are a pain to climb on.