Best of the ISP-Lists

Fixed Wireless Equipment

Covering Your Ass

WISP owners share advice on what equipment to use to protect yourself when you or your colleagues climb a tower.

[July 19, 2005]

On the ISP-Wireless list in June, GW asked a deceptively simple question:

What is the recommended harness for my guy to buy to climb?

[BG replied] "You can use anything from a mountain climbing harness (the most flexible and comfortable, especially if you have little fear of heights and some climbing experience) to a super-straitjacket-you-can-barely-move-in-it industrial harness. (For some people, the feel of a more restrictive harness is actually more comforting.) I learned to climb from a steeplejack / "fat crack" climber, so I fall into the groove of thinking of it as an athletic activity and choose my gear accordingly. Your choice of equipment may also depend upon what you're climbing. If your tower has a safety cable (recommended; it makes it almost impossible to fall though not to bung yourself up), you'll want a harness that works well with the traveler that slides along the cable."

[BF added] "Elk River Eagle Tower LX Harness is the best. Get a few lanyards too, I use 2 2'ers and 1 4'er. There is a padded bar that runs under your ass in this harness, so you can sit and take the load off your legs."

[TR agreed] "I really liked the Elk River harnesses, which I bought for our guys. The Eagle Tower LX harness is the specific model. 6 D ring with Seat. Very durable, padded, and leather reinforced belt. Perfect default belt for tower climbing. There is also a Tower Saddle LE Master, which is just about the same, except it is a bit lighter and the seat pad doesn't have the aluminum bar reinforcement nor heavy padding.

The only thing on these harnesses is that because to reinforce for chest center D-ring, there are two X straps going across the stomach area. So don't get it to small or it will be uncomfortable and hard to breath, especially if the climber has a gut. But when the correct size is gotten, it is really comfortable. It just meant I had to buy several belts for my staff, because one size does NOT fit all. The Eagle comes in 7 sizes, small to 3XL.

Other thing to consider is whether you want the seat strap/pad. If you are up on the tower a while it makes it comfortable to sit around. But for quick climbs, its something that can just get in the way, and the reason its more easy to move around with a 4 D-ring belt (no seat). But I like the 6 D-ring because I use a double lanyard shock absorber tied to the back D-ring, and I hook the two clips on the two seat D-ring to keep them out of the way, when they are not in use clipped to the tower. And then I use the hip D-ring with a strap to hold my weight when I lean back. If you don't want the seat, it's model Tower Master LE."

DM asked whether anyone had tried a Miller Revolution.

BM voiced a humble opinion:

"IMHO, the positioning rings are too high in the harness to spend any long durations in the air. There are no positioning rings that will allow you to "sit" in your working position. There is no front centerline chest ring to use with safety climb systems on towers and water tanks. That's a start. For the money, there are better harnesses available."

[KC added] " Chest rings are a must especially when climbing Rohn 25's. Attach a BIG biner and you are now able to securely attach while working and climbing down to secure the cables. Quick and easy."

[MS warned] " Don't forget that if you are in cold climates, you need one big enough to go over your cold weather gear."

[RM replied] "BURRR! I can't imagine climbing in snow or near freezing temps. Although I have spent 5 hours in 105+ heat in South Texas. Good thing I had someone there to send up water bottles!"

By this time, GW had purchased a lanyard, and thanked the list:

"Thanks for the tip on the Elk River harness with seat bar. My guy used it yesterday and said he was so much more comfortable than the previous harness he was using."

—End