My trip to Gabon

Hi Folk's! [cool]

I am new to this forum and would need some tip from experienced people, and sorry for my bad english

To explain the situation, I am going to Gabon in January 14, to study theraphosidae in their natural habitat. There's many fossorial, terrestial and ARBOREAL species, which give me no choice then climbing into the trees to find 'em.

For some species there's no much worries, they are found in coconut trees which are not so far from the ground. This said, some other species are found in some of the highest tropical trees, which mean they would be found from 20 to 40 meter's high.

I am soon going to buy my last equipment needed for my trip, and it is a climbing equipment. I was wondering if the typical mountain climbing kit would be usefull for climbing into trees, and if so, what technique I'll have to use.

Thx a lot in advance for helping me in my project

CedrikG

Picture of one of the species found high into trees

Hi Cedrik.

That's a beautiful Spider - is it the same species you are going to be looking at?

About tree climbing - there are so many things to consider about safety, technique and protecting the tree that you can't possibly learn to climb safely by January 14th.

However if you are going to climb trees anyway then using ropes and harness is essential. The first thing I will say is NEVER trust a dead branch. They can look strong from the outside but be so weak inside that they can break suddenly without warning. The second thing is NEVER unclip from your safety rope or lanyard. The third thing is NEVER climb alone.

Practise everything at ground level until you are an expert before trying it high up!

Getting to the first branches:
If the next branch is too high to reach then I tie a throw weight to a thin cord or fishing line and throw it over the branch I then tie the line to my rope and pull it over the branch. I tie one end around the trunk of a nearby tree and use a petzl ascender to climb the rope (a always tie a prussik or blake's hitch to the rope for safey in case the ascender detaches from the rope by mistake)

Once in the tree:
I use 2 adjustable loops of ropes (lanyards) to protect me as I climb the branches. I loop one lanyard around a branch above me (if the branch is thinner than your wrist or it looks sick then wrap the lanyard around the trunk instead). I then remove the previous lanyard climb up and tie it around the next branch higher up, and so on... Do NOT climb above your lanyard because if you fall you will fall a long way and probably snap the branch you are attached to!!!

I always carry a short length of climbing rope with me so that I can use it with the Petzy ascender if there is a large gap between the branches.

Stay close to the trunk:
The technique and rigging needed to climb along branches is much more advanced and more dangerous if you lose balance and fall off a limb. You can always learn these techniques for next year instead.

Regarding equipment: a rock climbing harness can be used, however if you are going to be hanging around for a long time then a tree climbing saddle is much more comfortable. Rock climbing rope can be used but it is used to proect rock climbing falls and is too stretchy for climbing up so I would recommend static arborist rope instead. however, for your adjustable lanyards, I would use stretchy rope as this will help if you slip and fall onto them.

Look at the techniques described on this website and read the book 'Recreational Tree Climbing' by Dick Flowers for explanations of techniques and knots. However, if possible, try to find an instructor near you, who can teach you in person.

Tree climbing equipment can be purchased from www.newtribe.com

Stay safe, don't take risks: the trees and spiders will still be there next year!

Good luck.

Michael

Hi, and thx for this complete answer.

That's a beautiful Spider - is it the same species you are going to be looking at?

Yes, its ONE of them. What is interesting in the species I am going to study is they're for most of them unknow to us, we just know nothing about these species, no picture and no informations are avalaible because no one did serious researsh to Gabon about theraphosidae, before me!
Here's some more picture I took of species i'll have the chance to find, as you seem to be a little interess in the project



And heum this beautifull specimen!

and a lot more!

About tree climbing - there are so many things to consider about safety, technique and protecting the tree that you can't possibly learn to climb safely by January 14th.

I have no doubt about that! I've contacted a tree's climber ''cutter'' and he accepted meeting me in 1 week to give me tip's on how to get to the top safely. We seen him at works and he's very safe and professional.

However if you are going to climb trees anyway then using ropes and harness is essential. The first thing I will say is NEVER trust a dead branch. They can look strong from the outside but be so weak inside that they can break suddenly without warning. The second thing is NEVER unclip from your safety rope or lanyard. The third thing is NEVER climb alone.

Sometimes we tend to forget these point, i'll try remembering it! And these for all the other information you gave they're very appreciated.

Nice photos, particularly the last one - why, isn't that an open-voiced E minor 6 chord you're playing?

I'm glad you've found an instructor - if he likes arachnids then maybe you could talk him into coming along?

Have a good trip!

Michael