RADS / YOYO Recreational Tree Climbing (Rapid Ascent Descent System)

A look at the Rapid Ascent and Descent System (RADS) aka YOYO system that I use occasionally. Ironically the system isn't very fast to ascend with but it rapidly switches over to descent without having to un-weight the rope.
The Petzl RIG and ID are good choices for a RADS system since they are auto braking descenders. It should be noted that the Grigri is a belay device with assisted braking.
Other descenders that may work:
smcgear.com/sp...
www.iscwales.c...
www.camp-usa.c...
Other good videos on RADS / YOYO systems:
• How to Tree Climb (Ep....
• Work RADS
• Video
Gear used:
Saddle-
New Tribe Aero (Generation 1) with two rope bridges with a large steel ring and large aluminum ring
Main Climbing System -
150’ Yale Blaze rope (green)
Petzl Grigri (generation 1)
Rock Exotica Rock O carabiner x1
CMI Micro Pulley
Rock Exotica Rock D carabiner x1
DdRT / MRS system:
30” 8mm Bee Line hitch cord with sewn eyes
DMM Hitch Climber pulley x1
Rock Exotica Rock O carabiners x2
Leather cambium saver
Misc -
Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet Metolius
Ropemaster bag with built in tarp
65L Black Diamond Mercury backpack
Vasque Coldspark boots
Gopro Hero 5 Black
Atlas Nitrile coated gloves
5/16” Galvanized Steel Pear link
Human ground dwellers have determined that climbing, walking, eating bacon and existing can be dangerous and can pose a serious risk to your personal safety and health. In other words, always seek out professional training and instruction and never ever attempt anything you see in this video or on this youtube channel.

[@johnnyhernandez5531]

I'm new to climbing but somehow I ended up with the same set up you have with different brand devices thanks for giving me confidence i was doubtful about my set up.

[@stuartporter5428]

Today I used this method to get up a tree. I used a petzl rig, other than that it was the same as yours. it's such a nice method to get up a tree. It's easy to change over to come down too.

[@stuartporter5428]

@@AerialTraveler I've been out tree climbing again today, climbing a massive beech tree to 90 feet high. I used the RADS method to climb to the initial anchor point. Then I looped the rope over the branches back to my harness, effectively creating a 6 to 1 with the RADS method. The other end of the rope had the hitch climber setup. I used a petzl basic acender with the rollclip Z as a pulley (a bit like your homemade removable pulley/rope assender. The RADS device (mine is the Petzl Rig) is a bit awkward to pull the rope back through for advancing it, due to rope weight when high up (I didn't really want to be removing my rope when up the tree). Also, when pulling the rope back down from the ground, it took almost all my body weight bouncing on paracord to break rope weight and friction to get the rope back down. It's much easier getting the rope down from lower heights. Thanks for your videos, I think I've watched all your tree clibing videos now. Keep them coming!

[@kkutube1972]

I only climb maybe 1 time a year and use this system but spent too much time trying to remember the setup. Great video.

[@sergioorozco8472]

Hola muchas Felicitaciones desde Argentina Hurlingham, aprendo con vos todas las cosas. Aca soy arborista trepador. Muchos saludos

[@6765lan]

Great video, like the Way you show and explain the detail setup. Thanks 😊

[@robbiewilson3906]

Very nice presentation. The demo is very helpful-easier to understand when you actually see it done. Great job!

[@yukoncornelius3550]

Good vid, this is the same system I use for saddle hunting. The only thing I would add is a double length sling between your harness and your hand ascender. Since the grigri isn't designed to be a hands-free device, it's always a good idea to back it up.

[@kevinnielsen4321]

I'm thinking about this same set up for saddle hunting but with agrigri +, is it safe to just use the ad my tether or am I going to have to switch over to my dedicated tether??

[@yukoncornelius3550]

Kevin Nielsen I use the rope I climb as my tether. Works great but I’m using a rock harness and fleece saddle so your setup may vary. Once at the top, my saddle connects to my ascender (ropeman) and I tie a backup knot behind the grigri, which stays connected to my harness with a few inches of slack.

[@iwontbebeat7111]

Its amazing you have gen1 Gri Gri ... you can't get them anymore . .. but with hefty premium prices on Ebay with too worn out conditions lol

[@mr.remington]

We’re prob bidding each other on those crolls lol. Just kidding I stopped looking after turning my hand ascended into a knee - i havnt tried anything else to compare but I’m hoping I’m not missing out on much. Love the editing and demonstration on this one 👍🏻

[@johnhildebrand1991]

I do like ur accessory rope that ur using to retrieve ur canopy tye.and I kinda like how you still have a foot free I usually use my rope Walker setup or if it's not to far I just hip thrust aka rope hump my way up there but I like having plenty of different options on the table

[@stephenlawlor211]

Nice system ! This creates a 3:1 mechanical advantage !

[@lucfournier3939]

Such system are fun when you do limb walking.

[@blankregistration7301]

3:1 for the right arm at least :) I am pretty weak armed and I find I primarily get lift by standing on the footloop and pulling on the handled ascender with my left arm which is straight 1:1. my right is almost only just for taking out the slack from the system. I think as you use more arm strength the pulley gets more and more important (i dont use one)

[@jtaylor-fi5bd]

NICE simple compared to all the rest yes this works for me

[@JimT225]

Nice video, thanks!

[@sergioorozco8472]

Aereal traveler sos un capo.

[@coymangus]

What a great video. This is how I choose to climb. I cannot find the actual break strength of the Grigri2. That is the one that I use. I am 250 lb but still love to climb trees so I would like to know what would happen if I shock loaded the Grigri? Thanks for the vid

[@barrybri]

I'm curious about the diameter of your Yale Blaze rope, 7/16" 11mm? Does the Petzl hand ascender cause any picking on the rope?

[@barrybri]

Thanks for the info on the gear. I've subscribed and will be watching your videos! :)

[@kkutube1972]

You are using 2 separate rope or one for transition. My first day in a tree using the rad system .

[@BecauseYouHaveToHaveANickNow]

You don't need to use anything Petzl, but if you decide to use the Rollclip, be sure to use it with Petzl hand ascender. Other hand ascenders tend to be thicker at the top and make it hard to attach and detach the rollclip.

[@aidey8mph605]

So I have been using the same system only I clip the pulley into the bottom attachment point of the ascender. Is there anything wrong with this? Is there an advantage to locking the pulley on the upper attachment?

[@henrykg]

If you use grigri then should be no problem, but with longer descenders like Rig you can miss those few cm because it is closer hand ascender and there is less movement.

[@Pawpaw7332]

What size rope are you using with the grigri?

[@lucfournier3939]

Hello have you ever tried à croll ?

[@lucfournier3939]

Stick the croll between chest harness and bridge tightly legs are so powerful for climbing. Also use back up with hand ascender on second bridge. The MPD is bearing mounted for such climb like you are showing us

[@lucfournier3939]

I am using à croll that goes up To 13 mm rope dia

[@lucfournier3939]

@@AerialTraveler i am sending you pictures in a few minutes !

[@lucfournier3939]

@@AerialTraveler for some reason I can t find your email adress😯!

[@wellsgb1957]

Is it possible to back up the gri gri with something and still have a smooth decent?

[@lucfournier3939]

Yes ..à prussik on left hand tied To central ring orD's

[@lucfournier3939]

A little micropulley can be put on top of prussic To prevent catching accidently... attach pulley on hand via rope or tether

[@lucfournier3939]

I am using à D-4....

[@wellsgb1957]

AerialTraveler Thank you for your reply 👍🏻

[@wellsgb1957]

Thanks for your response and answers gentlemen 👍🏻