No.40 SRT Techniques from around the world (8)
In 2018 The Wooden Hand produced a hand drawn booklet about SRT techniques which features climbers from Japan, Germany, New Zealand, UK and America. Each month this year I will introduce a technique at ODSK.
'Overlooked' by Taylor Hamel (USA)
For two reasons it is was a real honour that Taylor joined this booklet. The first being that he is someone that I looked up to and actively sought information from when I was starting my career as a climber. The second is because, while he does have knowledge and experience of SRT systems, he is predominately a DdRT climber and often promotes that technique. That being said,
I felt that Taylor could give some wisdom and he came up with a novel take on this particular SRT discussion, that is, not to talk about it.
Taylor says:
“Something I see very often are folks who have made the transition to SRT without ever having moved beyond a Blake’s hitch, and they are missing out on a very important skill set, in my opinion.
Over the last 16 years of climbing I’ve experimented with pert’ near every possible technique and sub-technique. Exploring the details, splicing up my own tools, modifying gear etc. Over that time I’ve kept the drive to continue learning and experimenting. However, I suppose you could say I’ve
settled into a core handful of techniques that allow me to achieve all of my goals whilst minimising impact on my body.
These are (in no particular order)
• Ascending SRT
• Inline anchor (DdRT system attached to a Stationary rope). Convinient to work one side of the tree by stepping off with my preferred system on the way up. I will also use this technique to back up a particular anchor point by spreading the load over several others (wether choosing to work SRT or DdRT).
• DdRT movement through the canopy. I would say 90% of my canopy work is done DdRT with SRT reserved mostly for the ‘straight-up-and-down’ movements.
• V-Rig and Add-in Prussik. Game changers that I think everyone should know how to use.
• Use a foot ascender as much as possible"
