dpb wrote, on Thu, 23 Oct 2014 07:36:12 -0500:

T=W/sin(angle) = (W/2)/sin(11) -- 2500/0.2 -- 12,500 lb

Wow. Those were wonderful calculations.
I forwarded it all to my friend, and will reply back with his response.

Meanwhile, we worked on the second section today, and we ended up stopping
about 2 feet away from redwoods which we need to squeeze through.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3937/1...bffcce41_b.jpg