Just finished a climbing course over the weekend

J

Jorgon1022

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Location
Boise
Just got back from a 27 hour climbing course this past weekend and the training received was nothing short of amazing.

Also the training course opened my eyes. I was fully aware that this type of work is extremely dangerous but there's a difference between knowing something is dangerous vs experiencing the danger.

Well now I know and have experienced how dangerous this work is. I have a whole new level of respect for you guys.

To think that I could climb without any sort of training let alone use a fucking chainsaw was foolish.

Luckily I found a climber for my job coming up this Saturday.

As for me, the adrenaline that I felt climbing was amazing and I plan to continue to climb until I get super comfortable.

The thing that I struggled with the most was limb walking because I just didn't trust my gear. The instructors told me that feeling this was normal and all psychological and that I would get better at this.

I got lots of positive feedback and now it's up to me to continue to practice as this is a perishible skill.

I figured I'd follow up on the first thread that I posted here a couple weeks ago.
 
Jorgon1022 said:
Just got back from a 27 hour climbing course this past weekend and the training received was nothing short of amazing.

Also the training course opened my eyes. I was fully aware that this type of work is extremely dangerous but there's a difference between knowing something is dangerous vs experiencing the danger.

Well now I know and have experienced how dangerous this work is. I have a whole new level of respect for you guys.

To think that I could climb without any sort of training let alone use a fucking chainsaw was foolish.

Luckily I found a climber for my job coming up this Saturday.

As for me, the adrenaline that I felt climbing was amazing and I plan to continue to climb until I get super comfortable.

The thing that I struggled with the most was limb walking because I just didn't trust my gear. The instructors told me that feeling this was normal and all psychological and that I would get better at this.

I got lots of positive feedback and now it's up to me to continue to practice as this is a perishible skill.

I figured I'd follow up on the first thread that I posted here a couple weeks ago.
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It takes Balls to admit you were wrong: you just did & I tip my hat to you.

Best of Luck with what you’re planning.

Did they teach any rigging?


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hseII said:
It takes Balls to admit you were wrong: you just did & I tip my hat to you.

Best of Luck with what you’re planning.

Did they teach any rigging?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
Nope. They have a rigging course coming up in the fall that I am going to attend. Right now I am just focusing on baby steps. Here are some pics that were taken of me when I was there.
 

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Jorgon1022 said:
Nope. They have a rigging course coming up in the fall that I am going to attend. Right now I am just focusing on baby steps. Here are some pics that were taken of me when I was there.
Click to expand...

These by no means replace an Apprenticeship, but if you don’t already have these, get them & read them till you are sick of reading them.


The Tree Climber's Companion: A Reference And Training Manual For Professional Tree Climbers https://www.amazon.com/dp/0615112900/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wXV4CbNTWAXS3

Knots at Work https://www.amazon.com/dp/0972667911/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OXV4CbSM60XR6

To Fell a Tree A Complete Guide to Tree Felling and Woodcutting Methods https://www.amazon.com/dp/0615338798/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dXV4CbRYT4PJV


Professional Timber Falling (Book) by Douglas Dent https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00455VB4A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_aYV4Cb7ZF7V9S


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
hseII said:
These by no means replace an Apprenticeship, but if you don’t already have these, get them & read them till you are sick of reading them.


The Tree Climber's Companion: A Reference And Training Manual For Professional Tree Climbers https://www.amazon.com/dp/0615112900/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wXV4CbNTWAXS3

Knots at Work https://www.amazon.com/dp/0972667911/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OXV4CbSM60XR6

To Fell a Tree A Complete Guide to Tree Felling and Woodcutting Methods https://www.amazon.com/dp/0615338798/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dXV4CbRYT4PJV


Professional Timber Falling (Book) by Douglas Dent https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00455VB4A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_aYV4Cb7ZF7V9S


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

Thanks man. I have all the above books except for the Timber Falling Book by Douglas Dent.

Ive been reading them like crazy but its like you said, its all about the practice and experience.
 
Jorgon1022 said:
Thanks man. I have all the above books except for the Timber Falling Book by Douglas Dent.

Ive been reading them like crazy but its like you said, its all about the practice and experience.
Click to expand...

There are a few different Falling & bucking scenarios in the Dent book not found in other publications that cause me to stop & think when I’m cutting.

Its worth picking up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Jorgon1022 said:
Just got back from a 27 hour climbing course this past weekend and the training received was nothing short of amazing.

Also the training course opened my eyes. I was fully aware that this type of work is extremely dangerous but there's a difference between knowing something is dangerous vs experiencing the danger.

Well now I know and have experienced how dangerous this work is. I have a whole new level of respect for you guys.

To think that I could climb without any sort of training let alone use a fucking chainsaw was foolish.

Luckily I found a climber for my job coming up this Saturday.

As for me, the adrenaline that I felt climbing was amazing and I plan to continue to climb until I get super comfortable.

The thing that I struggled with the most was limb walking because I just didn't trust my gear. The instructors told me that feeling this was normal and all psychological and that I would get better at this.

I got lots of positive feedback and now it's up to me to continue to practice as this is a perishible skill.

I figured I'd follow up on the first thread that I posted here a couple weeks ago.
Click to expand...
First of: nice to see yo actually go through with this!
Yeah, the trust in your gear will hold you back the most. If you suddenly get the idea your TIP might break climbing becomes impossible. It still take me some time before I get comfortable in a tree, and limbwalking far out is scary/Impossible since I am afraid of slipping and taking a really big swing (some better shoes might help with that). The only thing that helps is a lot of practise and routine.
 
When I had new climbers in your place I’d start to get them on their rope and trust gear. Find a place that you like. One that has some branches to move around. Push your hips up and pull all the slack out of your system. Lean back. Gently lock your knees. Not hard lock. Lean back and feel the support. Now keep your feet in place and swing a little. Then keep one foot in place and move the other. Keep your weight on the rope. The rope is your fifth appendage. Use it. Once you start using the rope you’ll have made the first transition step. Arbos don’t climb trees very much. We climb ropes
 
Tom Dunlap said:
When I had new climbers in your place I’d start to get them on their rope and trust gear. Find a place that you like. One that has some branches to move around. Push your hips up and pull all the slack out of your system. Lean back. Gently lock your knees. Not hard lock. Lean back and feel the support. Now keep your feet in place and swing a little. Then keep one foot in place and move the other. Keep your weight on the rope. The rope is your fifth appendage. Use it. Once you start using the rope you’ll have made the first transition step. Arbos don’t climb trees very much. We climb ropes
Click to expand...
Agreed! Your rope is like a monkeys tail. It shifts your center of gravity. Learn to hang upside down as well. Enjoy the journey.
 
Jan_ said:
First of: nice to see yo actually go through with this!
Yeah, the trust in your gear will hold you back the most. If you suddenly get the idea your TIP might break climbing becomes impossible. It still take me some time before I get comfortable in a tree, and limbwalking far out is scary/Impossible since I am afraid of slipping and taking a really big swing (some better shoes might help with that). The only thing that helps is a lot of practise and routine.
Click to expand...
Agreed.

Personally when limb walking, I found that when I would put all my weight on my harness instead of the limb, I was able to balance much easier.

But I found that instead of going on top of the limb and being parallel to the limb was even easier. I didn't do this but had another student do this and it looked much better since she wasn't worried about falling off the limb. She was just next to it If that makes sense.
 
DSMc said:
Sounds great! Why not give them some free advertising, who were they?
Click to expand...
For sure.

Here you go. They had people from Canada Pennsylvania Arizona, Idaho and Washington

www.ascensiongroupnw.com

Aerial Rescue & Work at Height Training | Ascension Group NorthWest

Ascension Group NorthWest provides professional training for work and rescue at heights. Ascension Group NW classes serve professionals in arboriculture, industrial rope access, search and rescue, and all professions requiring rope access.
www.ascensiongroupnw.com www.ascensiongroupnw.com
 
hseII said:
These by no means replace an Apprenticeship, but if you don’t already have these, get them & read them till you are sick of reading them.


The Tree Climber's Companion: A Reference And Training Manual For Professional Tree Climbers https://www.amazon.com/dp/0615112900/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wXV4CbNTWAXS3

Knots at Work https://www.amazon.com/dp/0972667911/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OXV4CbSM60XR6

To Fell a Tree A Complete Guide to Tree Felling and Woodcutting Methods https://www.amazon.com/dp/0615338798/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dXV4CbRYT4PJV


Professional Timber Falling (Book) by Douglas Dent https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00455VB4A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_aYV4Cb7ZF7V9S


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
Great books! Let's not forget Beranek's Fundamentals of general tree work:

www.educatedclimber.com

The Fundamentals of General Tree Work - Digital Edition by G.F. Beranek - Educated Climber.com

Here it is folks, the bible of tree work from the legend himself, G.F. “Jerry” Beranek! Filled with over 200 photographs and illustrations, ‘The Fundamentals’ is the most comprehensive reference work in our field, and has been the go-to resource for professionals in the industry for over 20...
www.educatedclimber.com www.educatedclimber.com

Well worth the 20 bucks. Also Patrick's website is full of excellent info on top of offering the out of print book in pdf format.
 
Go
Jorgon1022 said:
Just got back from a 27 hour climbing course this past weekend and the training received was nothing short of amazing.

Also the training course opened my eyes. I was fully aware that this type of work is extremely dangerous but there's a difference between knowing something is dangerous vs experiencing the danger.

Well now I know and have experienced how dangerous this work is. I have a whole new level of respect for you guys.

To think that I could climb without any sort of training let alone use a fucking chainsaw was foolish.

Luckily I found a climber for my job coming up this Saturday.

As for me, the adrenaline that I felt climbing was amazing and I plan to continue to climb until I get super comfortable.

The thing that I struggled with the most was limb walking because I just didn't trust my gear. The instructors told me that feeling this was normal and all psychological and that I would get better at this.

I got lots of positive feedback and now it's up to me to continue to practice as this is a perishible skill.

I figured I'd follow up on the first thread that I posted here a couple weeks ago.
Click to expand...
Good for you, glad it was a humbling experience and you were able to receive the information. To many folks get in over their heads only to get hurt and or killed, which is a statistic the rest of us have to bear
 
Glad you followed through with the climbing course. I could tell from the previous post that you really didn't get it. Glad to see that now you do.

It's completely different to do it yourself versus watching someone else do it especially if its on YouTube. Last week I got our new guy climbing for the first time. He watched me rope climb up about 30 feet in a couple of minute. He spouted off, I can do that, it looks easy. 10 minutes later he was about 2 feet off the ground. He gained some new respect for climbing.
 
evo said:
Go

Good for you, glad it was a humbling experience and you were able to receive the information. To many folks get in over their heads only to get hurt and or killed, which is a statistic the rest of us have to bear
Click to expand...


Fivepoints said:
Glad you followed through with the climbing course. I could tell from the previous post that you really didn't get it. Glad to see that now you do.

It's completely different to do it yourself versus watching someone else do it especially if its on YouTube. Last week I got our new guy climbing for the first time. He watched me rope climb up about 30 feet in a couple of minute. He spouted off, I can do that, it looks easy. 10 minutes later he was about 2 feet off the ground. He gained some new respect for climbing.
Click to expand...

So true. Do you guys have any feedback on when I can start climbing with actual tools? I plan to start with just a handsaw. My instructor told me that I will know when I'm ready but I'm curious to know what you guys think.

For perspective, it took me roughly 15 minutes to go up and down 40 feet using the Moving rope system.

It took me around 30 to 35 minutes to go up 50 feet, transition from SRT to MRS, complete the limb walking challenge and get back to the ground.
 
Jorgon1022 said:
But I found that instead of going on top of the limb and being parallel to the limb was even easier
Click to expand...
In almost all cases a during a limb walk you won't actually be on the top dead center of the limb, keep your weight in your rope by keeping your center of gravity on the opposite side of the limb as your tie in point. By doing this, you'll be much more comfortable. The exception being larger limbs almost directly below your tie in point. Even then I tend to stay off center.


Jorgon1022 said:
Do you guys have any feedback on when I can start climbing with actual tools? I plan to start with just a handsaw.
Click to expand...
My opinion, definitely start with a handsaw and make sure your proficient on the ground first, then carry the chainsaw with you on a few climbs with no cuts. Gets you used to the weight and you can make mock cuts so that you see what kind of positioning you need to make good cuts. You'll know when you feel confident with your work positioning. Primarily it's the notch that's hardest to get in a good position for, trunk work isn't so bad, but cuts in the canopy can be challenging when starting out.

Side note incase no one has mentioned it, a handsaw will slice right through a climbing rope that is weighted. Be mindful of rope placement and saw movement.
 
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