moss wrote:Theoretically the more you climb the more efficient you get for a particular climbing technique/configuration. At some point you plateau and are as efficient as you're going to get for the technique.
-moss
Well said Mossy! Really Dave, focus on controllable factors first. The nature of tree climbing is that if you climb more than one tree, on one branch, with the exact same line setting each time, then the friction in the system is going to be a variable over which you have little control.
The fun of this is though that (1) you have to practice a lot to get efficent, and (2) no one said you have to pick a system and stick with it for life, you can experiment and that can be fun in itself. Plus there are loads of folks around that have got ideas and different systems that you may try out.
Moral of the story, climb on! Enjoy the climb, trust your life to your gear, and enjoy the scenery.