I agree with getting rid of the dead wood, not just for looks, but it'll be easier to monitor the tree. That way you'll be sure to notice any future dead wood.
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Sorry. Two posts in a row.
It's always advisable to start new people on whatever is simple and safe. That applies to anything, not just climbing.
We configure all kinds of innovative rigging scenarios, and climbing systems are just about rigging ourselves.
SRT choices are simple installs where...
Good arguments for either thing.
I tied a Blake's from the climbing line through a captive eye carabiner. I did that for a couple of years although to be fair i was the climber of last resort (mostly ground help) and we typically had small branchy trees in Calgary. It taught me to climb the...
Gel hand sanitizer works a treat and it's convenient in the field. It also works well to get sap off safety glasses or anything else.
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I find that once I've accepted the climb and the tie in, I don't even have room in my brain to think about those things once I've started ascending. That includes dead trees. I might feel butterflies and uncertainty before I climb, but those things are banished after I've decided I'm OK with it...
No indicators in rigging gear either, and that stuff can see some ridiculous forces if you're negative rigging. Stay well within the working load limit of the weakest part of the system. If you're smart, that will ALWAYS be the rope. How can you tell if the tree itself it strong enough...
This is a legitimate technique for advancing a base tied system. I have two "chain reactor" slings with carabiners and I alternate between them advancing the line 3 or 4 feet at a time. It's a royal pita and I don't love it, but it's bomb proof in the security department. You can leave one in if...
To my knowledge, nothing like that. Our stuff isn't meant to ever be shock loaded. If you fall vertically into your harness, even a few feet you'll injure yourself. You'll damage your body before you'll damage the equipment. If I got away with a short fall without too much pain, I'd check my...
I've been talking a few cracks at doing southern greens properly. My first attempt with collards was pretty awful, but I'm getting the hang of it
Mint juleps too. They help me out when I'm trying to get those southern greens just right.
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I was thinking about this today. You're experienced with trades that involve fall arrest equipment. You don't get fall arrest protection with tree work. It's actually quite a bit different. I don't think there are any high angle trades that are like tree work. Hanging your life from a non rated...
You've spent a lot of time studying elongation. For a beginning climber this probably isn't going to be your main deal.
All arborist lines are basically 'static'. I'd get a rope that works well in doubled or single rope configuration. Unless you're humping yourself up 70 feet or more in mid-air...
Building a culture where talking about events that didn't go as planned (a near miss) and where employees can even recognize a near miss for what it is will take some work.
The true doofuses of the tree world woop and holler with misplaced manly pride because they got away with some high drama...
Awesome thread, and excellent advice.
If you're already doing large and complex removals after only 8 months in this business you're pushing up the learning curve very steeply. Congratulations on managing that for starters! I didn't whack my first proper big tree with hooks and a chainsaw until...
I'm going to have to experiment. I'm accustomed to my Sequoia being snug and the leg straps tight also. Everyone else except you has liked the TM harness low with the leg straps low. This feels weird to me so far.
Haven't tried it with hooks yet. That's going to tell me what I really want to...
Nothing like that. There are just two of us, and if we think a tree isn't safe to climb at all, and there's no alternative way to do it, we just decline it and tell the homeowner that they need to hire someone with a bucket truck (if that's an option).
It's more about not second guessing on a...
This was tremendous to read again.
When I originally started this thread I was in tree work for a few years, but had just started doing 'big girl' stuff, like decent sized removals and high climbs.
Has anything changed for me?
I still have the mental 'do over' ritual. It's automatic whenever I...
I just replaced my Sequoia with a TM light. I've used it on two small jobs so far.
It's not especially comfortable yet, but that's because I haven't done anything to it.
Seems like the bridge is too long for one. I also haven't figured out how to have the leg straps where I want them. Perhaps...