One of the downsides of modern life is definitely the proliferation of 8 ft. tall deer-proof fences. I'm sure they serve a purpose, but I consider them dangerous to climb, particularly when the top of the fence is a couple of strands of sharp four-point barbed wire to discourage just that. I have a feeling that the US Border Patrol probably knows all the best low-tech solutions. I'm also certain that the jet pack used in California is not locally available.
Does anyone have a portable gadget or device they use for this? The aluminum jiggers that latch onto a steel t-post just don't look sufficiently secure to me and climbing the mesh wire with gloves on to negotiate the top strands is feasible, but not really optimal.
I've never encountered a fence like that, but if I did and going around wasn't feasible, I guess I'd be looking at making a temporary cut down low and then repairing it when I'm done. I'd try to find a nice, inconspicuous place (like behind a tree or some brush), snip just enough to squeeze through, then repair with durable wire when done.
But it's easy for me to envision that from the comfort of my desk chair.
Jim Frame, post: 440616, member: 10 wrote: I've never encountered a fence like that, but if I did and going around wasn't feasible, I guess I'd be looking at making a temporary cut down low and then repairing it when I'm done. I'd try to find a nice, inconspicuous place (like behind a tree or some brush), snip just enough to squeeze through, then repair with durable wire when done.
But it's easy for me to envision that from the comfort of my desk chair.
Unfortunately, the 8 ft. tall fence has become commonplace in the Texas landscape. That fence was apparently built to discourage trespassers from entering a nature preserve that I actually have access to, but is yet another chapter in the sorry history of fence construction in which some old barbed wire fence that was evidently run to a bearing tree, rather than to the corner was replaced with a stout 8 ft. tall deer-proof fence to discourage entry.
I need to locate the corner that falls about 20 ft. on the far side of the fence and the initial assessment is that it would be easier to figure out how to climb the fence than the arrange access from the other side. That may change.
M43 E (tool, entrenching) WWII vintage GI issue.
paden cash, post: 440620, member: 20 wrote: M43 E (tool, entrenching) WWII vintage GI issue.
Is there a rock attachment (that doesn't involve explosives) available for the folding shovel that otherwise probably works great in the sandy soils of Elsewhere?
Wellllllllllllllllllllll, you get out your total station and shoot it from two points and triangulate.
Of course, that is assuming you can see the corner. As it is probably an old cedar corner post, it shouldn't be a problem.
There's not much sandy soil north of the Rio Roxo either, but there is a lot of sandstone. You might actually have to inspect said fence to determine a spot you could be (reasonably) certain you can scratch a hole to get under the fence. If you look hard enough you'll find where the coyotes have already given you a hint.
I say this in all sincerity because I too work alone nowadays. You got no business dancing tippy-toe at the top of an 8' fence. Falling and breaking your arm or leg would be disastrous if you happened to be on the opposite side of the fence from your truck or cell phone. Too bad StarNet doesn't have a mobile app for "common sense"...;)
If you slip and get hung upside down in that wonderful weather you have down there in August I hope you have your field book and a Pentel. After you write your goodbyes to the wife and your dogs you could drop us all one last hand-written post reminding us of the superiority of Texas surveyors....
It's ok to admit you're too sissy to dig a damned hole in the caliche, but there's a spot to get under that fence, you just have to find it.
edit: take some good rope with you (or a hand block & tackle if you can find one), wrap the fence top to bottom and suck the bottom of the fence up enough to shinny under it.
Pliers will do a fine job of creating an access hole. But, plan on gettin' outta Dodge ASAP. Deny all claims that you were ever there. Explain how you got that shot from a satellite.
Holy Cow, post: 440631, member: 50 wrote: Pliers will do a fine job of creating an access hole. But, plan on gettin' outta Dodge ASAP. Deny all claims that you were ever there. Explain how you got that shot from a satellite.
If you have to cut the fence with nippers, leave something behind to throw the suspicion elsewhere...
Blame it on some "undocumented" trespassers.
Holy Cow, post: 440631, member: 50 wrote: Pliers will do a fine job of creating an access hole. But, plan on gettin' outta Dodge ASAP. Deny all claims that you were ever there. Explain how you got that shot from a satellite.
No, I'm not going to cut the fence. There has to be a better solution that is portable and secure. If I tipped the scales at some advanced mass, I might feel differently about that, though.
I have, and would, cut the fence and repair on the way out. Last time was a 2x2 hole made by cutting 4 wires. I did this to my father's fence behind a Russian olive tree in 1993 and he didn't notice it until we sold the property in 2015.
I usually go over at a corner or somewhere there is a tree close enough to the fence that I can use it for support. I know those ash junipers are tough to climb so in the absence of trees you might consider this or some derivaitve:
I reckon you'll need a ladder or a gate to get through
We've done this a few times with a portable step ladder on fences that were at least 6' (chainlink mesh with 3 strands of barbed wire on top) but probably not 8'. Just slide one side up and over and then you get steps both sides. Obvious hazards are falling, electrocution, police visit, etc.
Richard Imrie, post: 440645, member: 11256 wrote: We've done this a few times with a portable step ladder on fences that were at least 6' (chainlink mesh with 3 strands of barbed wire on top) but probably not 8'. Just slide one side up and over and then you get steps both sides. Obvious hazards are falling, electrocution, police visit, etc.
Yes, the 8-ft folding stepladder is the solution of last resort because it sounds like one more 1/2-mile hike would be needed to haul the thing as well as the rest of the equipment. It is in the running though, if I can't find a solution that is more compact and weighs less.
David Kendall, post: 440644, member: 12659 wrote: I usually go over at a corner or somewhere there is a tree close enough to the fence that I can use it for support. I know those ash junipers are tough to climb so in the absence of trees you might consider this or some derivaitve:
I reckon you'll need a ladder or a gate to get through
I like the concept of a light-weight ladder that can just be hung on the top strands of the fence, but am skeptical that the same strands are all that firmly clipped to the t-posts that would have to take the load imposed by a climber.
On a serious note, we've just had someone fall from a ladder, that slipped, and landed from maybe 1.5m onto their backside in a sitting position. Minimum 6 weeks bed rest on back, morphine for the pain, no movement allowed, then after that reassessment for possible surgery. Let's be careful out there.
Cut the fence and repair on the way out. If you may need to return, zip ties make a great temporary repair.
This might work, but it weighs 25lbs.
...and some of you all wanted ME to wear a body cam to record my escapades. A video of Kent monkeying over an eight-footer would be priceless.
Headlines on the Texas Morning Hurl: "Austin Surveyor Takes Nasty Spill; Blames PLSS"
paden cash, post: 440664, member: 20 wrote: ...and some of you all wanted ME to wear a body cam to record my escapades. A video of Kent monkeying over an eight-footer would be priceless.
Headlines on the Texas Morning Hurl: "Austin Surveyor Takes Nasty Spill; Blames PLSS"
Oh, you are so right.
I think we need a new "law"..... everybody here must wear a body cam when venturing into the field. After all, it is sometimes impossible to predict what will happen when. Other times, we can foresee "common sense" leave when the person is about to do something.... well,.... kinda stupid. And that is how people wind up on Americas funniest videos and on What could Go Wrong on Reddit.
