Recent content by TreeSmithAK

  1. TreeSmithAK

    Dumb idea or not?

    great idea but for durability I'd grab a stainless bottle with a loop cap & biner... one wrong bounce off a trunk & pop goes your bottle, splash goes your groundsmans head & cotton mouth wins. :)
  2. TreeSmithAK

    Cold Weather Gloves

    Greetings gang... quite sorry if I've missed in a search this topic covered already & if it exists & there is a link I'll adore someone for posting it up! After 20+ years of barehand climbing in the Pacific NW, I'm finding myself no longer laying claim to this tactic in the Alaskan winter...
  3. TreeSmithAK

    Spurs and Arch Pain

    When it comes to Euro designed/manufactured footwear, especially mountaineering stuff (in my experience) always go up a full size... I'm normally a 9-9.5, I think I've had one pair of tens.. this most recent purchase of the Kayland boots, a whopping 11 to finally get a not-tight fit.
  4. TreeSmithAK

    Spurs and Arch Pain

    I don't know that flex is designed in, but if there is any, its quite forward in the boot towards the toe box.. mountaineering boots typically are stiff enough so if you step on a pointy rock, the boot stays flat across it.. which actually takes some getting used to since they feel as...
  5. TreeSmithAK

    Spurs and Arch Pain

    For me the all around comfort of mountaineering boots is the major selling point. I've had the best whites loggers, every model of Danner known but for the last decade have climbed solely in mountain boots. La Sportiva Makaklu's are pretty much hands down the winner for comfort & not feeling...
  6. TreeSmithAK

    Spurs and Arch Pain

    Found new favorites... at least for spurless climbing & groundwork.. new position sees me doing more backcountry hiking than actual climbing... Kayland Apex Plus... lots of snow to deal with here so the built in goretex gaitors are proving worth their weight in gold.
  7. TreeSmithAK

    Let's talk lanyards

    each way has its plus & minuses so far as kits versus custom.. but kits typically will have spliced eye finishes, reducing the bulk on you snap which makes it easier to handle & pass through crotches etc when in use..... For ease of use/1 hand use.. I've always run a micro-ascender instead of a...
  8. TreeSmithAK

    How many actual line clearance trimmers on site

    Well after two & a half decades of never having interest in doing anything related to line clearance or electricity, yesterday was my second day on board an outfit as a card carrying member of IBEW.... Planning a family & needing solid income & health insurance was finally enough to get me to...
  9. TreeSmithAK

    Possible HAVS / Hand and Finger Pain

    I fully echo Rico's sentiments in every way possible! From my late teens all the way through my late 30's I was superman. Get up grind out a tree day go to bed get up grind out a tree day rinse & repeat & 20 years flashes by, then all of a sudden them little grunting sounds I used to laugh at...
  10. TreeSmithAK

    Who has experience as a 'Lead Climber'?

    To be honest I was referring to comfort more along the lines of safety. Which, as a lead, if I make the call I'm not willing to take a certain risk, I'm certainly not allowing a subordinate with less experience to take it. The companies equipment, reputation, safety of crew, clients property...
  11. TreeSmithAK

    Who has experience as a 'Lead Climber'?

    Including that of course, but even things like expectations on how much material can be moved efficiently, how many hours til exhaustion becomes a factor, pretty much putting yourself in the subordinates shoes & having knowledge of exactly how tough this work can be.. which ultimately, "leads"...
  12. TreeSmithAK

    Spurs and Arch Pain

    So I spoiled myself for my birthday & thought I would toss in another quick review of a more than suitable pair of boots :) Scarpa Wrangell GTX, way way comfortable & supportive right out of the box! Haven't been in spurs with them yet but trudging a few days on rocky grounded jobsites, these...
  13. TreeSmithAK

    Blower Me.

    Boss man is holding fast on buying a blower until the 800 comes around in November.. I'll give it a few days use & post up my thoughts :)
  14. TreeSmithAK

    Who has experience as a 'Lead Climber'?

    Most monkeys can climb, like literally... and most halfwits can run chainsaws... but a "lead" position, requires a two way street of respect, communication & efficiency with the other people on your team as well as possessing the compassion to care, courage to act & capacity to think. I've...
  15. TreeSmithAK

    Blower Me.

    That has always been a "thing" for my crews too... crew members that run to grab the blower when there is still chippable material piles scattered everywhere... but I've always used that as a gauge of if that's a good person to keep on a crew or not... it's a clear indicator that if there is...
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