Snapped a lowering line on a 60-foot oak limb drop last Thursday

I was working a big red oak in a tight backyard in Fort Worth. Had my 5/8 line rigged, everything felt solid. Got about halfway through the lowering on a 12-inch limb, heard that awful pop, and watched the line go slack right as the limb hit a fence. Turned out the rope had a weak spot near the spliced eye that I missed on my pre-climb check. The homeowner was cool about it, fence just needs one rail replaced. But I spent the next hour rethinking my whole inspection routine. Now I run my hands over every inch of rope before I even load it. Anyone else had a close call like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

caleb_stone6d ago

Idk man, I always check my gear before I load it anyway.

oscarb776d ago

You one of those people who actually reads the instructions before assembling furniture too? I mean, I get it, gear checks are important but sometimes you just gotta trust the process and learn by breaking something first, right? Personally I like to live dangerously and find out at the range whether my optic is still tight or if that's the sound of my suppressor walking off mid shot.