How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Groundie

96coal449 · Jul 10, 2016

treehumper said:
We are still talking about being a good climber FROM the groundie's perspective?

By engaging my ground crew in the aerial component we work better as a team. They feel their input is valued and better understand where I may be coming from when I do things a specific way. Learn and grow.

My post was referencing a 3 month old green groundie. He pinched my nerve in the wrong way. End of the day and I was on the 6th or 7th removal in 90 deg humid heat. I had had enough. I usually make everything a team effort and show my guys appreciation, especially when well deserved.

treehumper · Jul 10, 2016

Hard when it's a trying day and we just want to get things finished. I just try to count to 10 or whatever gives me the chance to rethink how I handle someone like that. I may use it as a teachable moment by walking through what they think is the "right way" to do it. This gives them my perspective and where I see a shortcoming relative to my approach. Even if my approach is only better insomuch as that's the way I want to do it.

I'm the one in the tree and I've got to be comfortable with how things go.

Jordan Stambaugh · Oct 15, 2016

Groundies should be able to read a climber's mind. Right?

TimBr · Oct 16, 2016

treehumper said:
We are still talking about being a good climber FROM the groundie's perspective?

By engaging my ground crew in the aerial component we work better as a team. They feel their input is valued and better understand where I may be coming from when I do things a specific way. Learn and grow.

This is where the ability to communicate using those Sena headsets would really be invaluable. Being able to give the groundies a play-by-play as to what you're doing and why could really help them learn quickly. Just my humble opinion.

Tim

96coal449 · Oct 17, 2016

TimBr said:
This is where the ability to communicate using those Sena headsets would really be invaluable. Being able to give the groundies a play-by-play as to what you're doing and why could really help them learn quickly. Just my humble opinion.

Tim

Tim, I like those headsets. They are heaven sent when needed. In the incident I was referring to, there was no communication barrier. Neither the chipper or the saw was running. Just the groundie's mouth .... and all day at that .... :tonto:

Drumbo · Oct 17, 2016

Sena's are beautiful.
The ground guys I normally work with have heard my what I have to say about how to run my ropes enough times that I don't have to say anything anymore, but still do.
Unfortunately I was working with some guys that have never ran my ropes before so my normal tricks were a little harder to explain to them. Which ends up with me frantically trying to dodge butts to the face.
I know my fault really oh well, we live and we learn.
Or you just get hurt I suppose.

treehumper · Oct 21, 2016

Gotta work with the crew you've got not the one you wish you had….

JustinK · Oct 21, 2016

Speak up. It's always quieter in the tree than on the ground, unless you're above a building or fence that's blocking a louder noise. Don't get pissed and be a diva bitch when the groundie can't hear you.

Establish a plan on the ground and communicate it, and if the groundie is affected and the plan changes after leaving the ground, let someone know, so they can adjust what they're doing, to set up/clean up/ etc, so that every thing goes more efficiently.

treeservices · Nov 16, 2016

Great discussion #30 - enjoy the view
http://www.trickytreesolutions.com

treehumper · Nov 16, 2016

To further the communication concepts, always confirm with your groundperson what you're going to do, agree on the size and approach to the piece. There may be something they are able to see that you don't. It may be just to keep them engaged and feeling a part of the decision making process given that they are the ones who have to deal with whatever you're sending their way.

Acknowledge their good work! I've found it keeps them upbeat.

Kevin Myers · Nov 21, 2016

I recommend a "Stop Work Protocol" where anyone on the crew, with any type of experience, at anytime, has the authority to stop all work taking place if something doesn't look right. Key to this is not being a prick to the groundie when he stops you...one of two things will happen (maybe both):

(1) he will save your life/prevent an accident
(2) you will have an opportunity to teach him something/learn something for yourself

Tom Dunlap · Nov 21, 2016

Agreed

I came up with:

VOTE:VETO

...many years ago. It's a great way to empower everyone and show how important safety is to a group

benny360 · Jan 23, 2017

* Dont be lazy, cut it smaller and throw it closer to the chipper!

b3harris · Aug 15, 2017

Sena makes blue tooth-headsets. They cancel noise, play music you can take calls. Beside all that you can put them in your ear defenders. I will not work without them in the trees. Why people don't use them is beyond me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CutHighnLetFly · Sep 6, 2017

b3harris said:
Sena makes blue tooth-headsets. They cancel noise, play music you can take calls. Beside all that you can put them in your ear defenders. I will not work without them in the trees. Why people don't use them is beyond me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ah dude stop it I've been pushing back purchasing two sets for me and my buddy I sub with. The smallest stupid little thinks keep coming up making me holster my wallet whenever I'm about to pull the trigger on it

AshWilliams · May 19, 2018

Groundies perspectives are every bit as valuable to the climber, they see the tree in its entirety, they see lean, limb weight bias, they see the new guy walking into the drop zone with his head down, they see how far the spar has to come down before we can flop it...list goes on. I'm big on getting everyone to contribute with feedback, opinions, solutions, etc. Climbers aren't fucking gods, despite what a lot of us act like. My old boss used to wait angrily 3 ft in the air for me to unhook his climbing saw before he hit the ground, then he'd drop his gear at the base of the tree, get in his truck and drive away...

southsoundtree · May 20, 2018

That being said, the climber shouldn't really need to have help from the groundies, much.

The groundies should have enough to do.

To add to the list, the climber should learn to use aerial friction and self-lower to the groundies, rather than sit and wait for the rope to be free.

AshWilliams · May 20, 2018

southsoundtree said:
That being said, the climber shouldn't really need to have help from the groundies, much.

The groundies should have enough to do.

To add to the list, the climber should learn to use aerial friction and self-lower to the groundies, rather than sit and wait for the rope to be free.

Like using a stub as an "in-tree" porta-wrap lol.

Treetopflyer · May 20, 2018

southsoundtree said:
That being said, the climber shouldn't really need to have help from the groundies, much.

The groundies should have enough to do.

To add to the list, the climber should learn to use aerial friction and self-lower to the groundies, rather than sit and wait for the rope to be free.

Adding something so simple as a biner on a snap attached to belly of a ROPE can make a big piece easily managable.. long as you have legnth of line for the work to reach landing zone that double whipping or spannriggin helps all parties , like who can lower a large piece with finger grip , no struggle. Place the vector of line where place of tree shall go. .ehh easy peasy kids ! Thank the groundys, good ropers rule.. like Clint days are you feeling lucky ......well are you ? .....oh hell yeah ..climbers dictation if he has say submits t0 quality of ROPE man awareness, quality grounds people are the hidden gems..thank you my friends