Climbed the mast (solo). Notes for those who may be considering

[George_SD]

Those who recommend blocks - do you have a recommended set of blocks or package for this?

At least a link to what you have and description of how you do it? I assume you attach a free line to the block and then pull yourself up. So one line is always moving (one that lifts you) and second line is static for safety with a jammer or prusik?

[Rmccormi]

When going aloft I highly recommend a tree climbing harness/ chair . It very comfortable. I also utilize a Petzl self breaking descender. Of course, I always wear a climbing helmet.

[Bill Seal]

Self breaking or self braking?

[Rmccormi]

Self braking��

[Bill Seal]

In my younger (actualy middle age)days, I used to go up 2000' towers to supervise and measure/tune the installation of high power TV antennas. Now, it scares the hell out of me just to go up the little 35' mast on our baby ketch. That, and somehow my old Rose climbing belt has somehow shrunk up and no longer fits around ny waist.
What would be a good -inexpensive- climbing harness? I have a bosun's chair, but it's hard to work out of.
Or is there a stalwart youth in the Wilmington CA area who would like to go up there and fix some things?

[George_SD]

I just ordered an etrier to make it easier and faster to climb and stand at the top of the mast



Plus a small ascender in order not to spend the time fiddling with one of the prusiks.

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by Bill Seal

In my younger (actualy middle age)days, I used to go up 2000' towers to supervise and measure/tune the installation of high power TV antennas. Now, it scares the hell out of me just to go up the little 35' mast on our baby ketch. That, and somehow my old Rose climbing belt has somehow shrunk up and no longer fits around ny waist.
What would be a good -inexpensive- climbing harness? I have a bosun's chair, but it's hard to work out of.
Or is there a stalwart youth in the Wilmington CA area who would like to go up there and fix some things?

These connect at waist level, have padded leg loops.
https://www.amazon.com/PETZL-SAMA-Cl...55018559&psc=1
I'm using this with a 5:1 racheting block and fiddle block purchase.
I can pull up with 1 hand.
I'm 165lbs.

So, you'll need a length of line, 5, times the length of your lift.
40ft stick 250 ft line in 1 piece, a couple of shackles, I use soft shackles, and a locking carabiner.
I installed two sets of folding mast steps at a position that I can step unto, and suspend with a safety lanyard.

The problem with a Bosun Chair is that the lift point is above your head, or at a level that leaves you short of the top of the mast.

With this set up you'll hoist up the purchase to the mast head on the Main, or jib halyard.
Tie off the halyard, and use the purchase to lift you up and down.

Super simple set up.
I'd add images, not sure how to on this site.
Email me, I can probably send them that way.

Loop steps and prussics are difficult and take some real strength to hoist yourself up, or climb.
No climbing with this set up.

Initial cost, isn't that bad.
Get good line.
Boatyarddog

[thinwater]

For the ultimate in self-tending belay, use the Camp Goblin. I use it rock climbing, ice climbing, and yes, up the mast.


Rigged on a separate line, it grabs if you fall but otherwise just slides up and down. I can climb up or down a mast ladder at my normal ladder pace, without a helper and without using one hand to tend a device. You just climb.


When you get where you are going, it can be locked.


Petzl makes a related unit. There are also industrial versions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txtq8-nk0dM

I climb about 1 ft/second, top to bottom, based on a few vids I took. Less than a minute of climbing.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by thinwater

For the ultimate in self-tending belay, use the Camp Goblin. I use it rock climbing, ice climbing, and yes, up the mast.

Rigged on a separate line, it grabs if you fall but otherwise just slides up and down. I can climb up or down a mast ladder at my normal ladder pace, without a helper and without using one hand to tend a device. You just climb.

Cool. I'm not a climber (at all ), but this looks similar to the ATN climber/clamps. But it is nicer with the open up-down setting. The ATN climber has to be held open to slide down, which is a bit of a pita, but still pretty easy.

[double u]

wow! 24 posts...

[rgleason]

My excursion into this problem, awhile ago "Masthead Access Methods"
I found that two prusik knots gave me a greater sense of safety.

I also learned that using two separate lines for climbing (one for each leg) leads to a case of the "splits" and is not a good technique. Also I found that tying down the bottom of the climbing line tightly to your boom vang bail at the bottom of the mast really helps keep you upright while climbing!

And finally, the real problem is, getting up high enough to work at the masthead easily, with whatever climbing setup you have chosen. For example, say you need to see the top of the masthead and work on wiring, while juggling glasses, tools and a new masthead light. You need a very comfortable perch that does not cut off circulation in your legs and gets you high enough. Plan each move beforehand down on the deck and get everything ready. Have a light line and small bucket and helper to pull up needed tools.

[SuW]

On the subject of "going over the top" of the mast, we put a few folding mast steps at convenient points to allow a good footing when working over the top of the mast.

I've only used them once or twice (we use the fore runner to the ATN climber) because we take the mast down every year.

They don't get in the way, even if we accidentally leave them open.

[Grancan]

This is what I use, not the best but it's been useful many times over the years.
Interesting and very good alternatives on this thread

https://youtu.be/tu0CcwPHgU0

[rls8r]

I use a system similar to the one that George_SD describes - but different in a couple of minor ways. The system I use is described on the L-36 web site (https://l-36.com/UltimateMastClimbing.php) and uses an ATC to descend instead of a figure-8. I also use the halyards to raise climbing lines - rather than climb and descend directly on the halyards.

The only problem I have is with getting down. The Prusik knot tends to bind on the descending line.

[TPG]

Good to know....I've only used the ATN mastclimber and it works great.