big john limbwalking adjusts FH w/ feet

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I did that over the winter.. plowed some snow..

I guess you'd have to see it in person to appreciate the climbing style.. It's poetry in motion.. seeing it on a small screen with the odd camera angle and lack of establishing shot/perspective just doesn't get across the mastery that he had. That said.. once again, the naysayers here have proved to me their ignorance.. went right over your heads boys!
 
Well, without a skid steer in the shot for reference, and background shots of big trees smashing small trees... I can see where the mastery and poetry could get a little diluted.
 
your'e right, we were not there to witness the "poetry in motion". If all we have is seeing it on a small screen with a odd camera angle and lack of establishing shot/perspective which doesn't convey his mastery, what do you expect?

I am not saying he isn't a good climber. I can only comment on what you post. IMO it was not "cutting edge". He demonstrated he can walk out a limb and come back in. Basic skills for an arborist.
 
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Well, without a skid steer in the shot for reference, and background shots of big trees smashing small trees... I can see where the mastery and poetry could get a little diluted.

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Bravo.

We need more skidsteer just as bad as we need more cowbell.

SZ
 
What you're posting isn't all that cutting edge, even for the time period. Like others have said, their were better ways to do it, but its his climbing style, so more power to him to climb how ever he sees fit. But cutting edge, not at all. Ever since man has been using ropes and saddles to access trees, he's been walking out on limbs and using his arms to move around the canopy, just like this guy.

As for poetry in motion, I cringed a little inside watching these videos. Just judging from these two videos, he is anything but poetry in motion. That statement I could apply to a very select group of climbers, Mark C, Jay B, Rick D, and a few others, just to name a few. Watching them climb is an experience I'll never forget.
 
If I ever find the old tape, I'll post the video of John winning the penn-del east work climb. That gives a good illustration of his talents. That said, you really have to see a climber like that in person to get a good understanding of their capabilities.. I remember the first time I saw Chisholm climb, it was a life changer..
 
might have been 2003.. the latest was probably 2004, though it could have been 2005.. It was year that Thigpen broke his wrist casue he was judging the climb, rather than competing.. I sure hope I find the tape.. there was one badass move that looked great on camera.. fun climb.. And yes, in case you were wondering... he beat Roachy...
 
Cutting edge????

To me it looked incredibly inefficient, slow, awkward & exhausting.

He looked well "spent" after that move.

Should have just gotten higher up, stood on that branch, lanyarded into the one above, leaned out & made the cut. Easy. Even sillier is that he went up there to that position AFTER that cut anyway....

I can understand if he was just fooling around for the novelty of being on camera, but not if you were just working, trying to get the job done.

You're right though, it's not a technique many would have thought of, that's because there are many more efficient techniques for getting the same thing done.

It's not like 2003 was that many moons ago. Pruning tips (and beyond) like that back in 97 was just allday everyday climbing for me and many.

The second clip was made just as awkward due to his low tie in point.

Tie in high, and work from on top of branches with weight in your ropes, not dangling below relying on upper body strength to hold you in position.
 
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I AM pretty sure most climbers will reach for the pole saw to go out and work the tips of monster red oaks. and few and far between are the climbers that will fine prune such trees, taking out every little dead twig..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWUWAa2rxVU

Here's another find from the archives.. also, remember this was 2002.. this type of climbing was cutting edge at the time..

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oh... my .... gosh, you are freakin' kidding me. Cutting edge! my "BUTT".

2002!

I really thought before i watched the video that these guys were just being hard on you.


then i watched the video

cutting edge?

if you thought THAT was cutting edge, watch us at work Daniel and you will be paying us homage and sacrificing your first born son to me.
 
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...I guess you'd have to see it in person to appreciate the climbing style.. It's poetry in motion.. seeing it on a small screen with the odd camera angle and lack of establishing shot/perspective just doesn't get across the mastery that he had...

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I could agree with that statement... But, the way you always come across Daniel, gets people uneasy.
 
Does this guy John know that you posted a vid of him, Daniel?
What would he think if he saw this thread? There's lots that might be said about your comments, and not John directly but you put your friend in an awkward spot. He never made any claims here on TB and he is not here to defend himself.
Nothing can be said in fairness except what Reg already said.
Hope he's still your friend.
 
Big John burned out on tree work a long time ago. He lost his passion and just doesn't care anymore. And he certainly couldn't care less about anyting that anybody here says about him, or is climbing.


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Does this guy John know that you posted a vid of him, Daniel?
What would he think if he saw this thread? There's lots that might be said about your comments, and not John directly but you put your friend in an awkward spot. He never made any claims here on TB and he is not here to defend himself.
Nothing can be said in fairness except what Reg already said.
Hope he's still your friend.

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Big Jon Grier was one of the first 100 TreeBuzz members here and a really great guy who took the time to answer many of my questions years ago.

I wish him the best of luck in his new career.
 
He taught a lot of people a lot of stuff in a very humble way, gave biners and gear to climbers making the switch to new school, spliced home made friction savers and gave them away, and would answer any question that anyone asked. Never acted like he was any better than anyone else, and really dug all the new school innovations early on in that change in the industry. I learned not to question ANYTHING he did.. If he did it, there was a good reason for it. If I didn't understand that, then there was something for me to learn.

He was the top take down man for one of the premiere tree care companies in the area, if not the world, doing monster back yard removals, all day long... It was nothing for him to rope out a $2,800 tree, after putting in a full 8 hour climbing day on his regular job. And he could fine prune a 100' oak with a huge spread, as fast as just about anyone. He was a 6'5" tree climbing machine.. Its all over now..
 
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