I skinned a pole also. Once is enough, thank you.
de Paul, W8AEF
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Smith" <jimsmith@shaw.ca>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 8:09 AM
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] Double protection - climbing
> Dick,
>
> Back when I was 20 or so I wanted to string a dipole from the top of the
> wooden telephone pole that was on the other side of the lane behind the
> house. I had a job with the local phone co. so I borrowed a set of
> climbing irons and belt from one of the linemen. So, got the belt on,
> got the irons on, belt is passed around the pole, first gaff (I think
> that's what the spike on the climbing iron is called) is set into the
> pole and here I go. Flip the belt up the pole, pull it tight with both
> hands, haul myself up a little and set the other gaff somewhat higher
> than the first. Hey, I'm off the ground. Flip the belt up again and
> repeat the process. Well, I'm doing alright until I get up about 10 -
> 15 ft or so and look down. I discover I don't like heights and grab the
> pole with both hands. Well, you're supposed to be leaning back so the
> gaffs stick securely into the wood. I'm not leaning back so the gaffs
> come out of the wood and I start sliding down the pole. The friction
> between the belt and the pole is such that the belt stayed where it was.
> As I slid down with my feet flailing in mid-air the belt tightened up
> and pulled me right into the pole with some force, as measured by the
> pain in my nose. At this point, the belt dropped down the pole,
> releasing me to slide down the pole another few feet. This time I moved
> my head to one side so my nose would miss the pole as the belt tightened
> up again. In this way, I made a "controlled descent" to the ground,
> unhooked the belt and scurried into the house, hoping that no neighbours
> had witnessed the proceedings. I spent the rest of the day picking
> slivers of wood out of my face and body.
>
> Does this answer your question?
>
> (OK Steve, you can stop laughing now)
>
> 73 de Jim Smith VE7FO
>
>
> Dick Green wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >Although I always had a positioning lanyard around the tower, I wondered
> >just how much this would protect me if I fell. I envisioned the
positioning
> >lanyard(s) sliding down the tower, possibly a long way, before perhaps
> >stopping at the next guy set. Sounds like potential for serious injury.
> >Would a positioning lanyard slide that much or would there be enough
> >friction between the rope and tower to stop you in a few feet?
> >
>
>
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