I know that there is the big issue of money and job stability. If you had the optioin I would pick and choose my jobs or get some time in at a lower height rec climbing or small prunes just to get the feel and control that you once had. I think it's really good that you're taking your time and being smart about your work after your injury.
Climber needs some help
- Thread starter familytree
- Start date
i'm thoroughly impressed by the support everyone is showing familytree - it's awesome. listen to your intuition - after time you will learn to trust yourself/equipment/TIP as before. Avoid rushing whenever possible - which should be all the time. I learned to rig with natural crotching and wraps. Then I learned about slings/blocks/lowering devices. Where I work now I often get the impression that using slings and things (as much as i do) is a "slower" way. Oh well, I still use them most of the time. The other day I flattened a section of old chainlink fence - why? because I fell for the unspoken tension - this job is going over... Just a few extra seconds to jump the fence, change the face of the notch would have made the difference -
peace in the trees,
mk
peace in the trees,
mk
If you have to use a ladder put on your harness and use your lanyard whenever possible, it makes it easier to lean out and use both hands in the tree.
- Location
- Haddonfield, nj
thats an interesting approach tmannsclimber, i never really thought of that, the ladders are what really get to me, heights i can deal with, ever since the accident ive been at least 60-80 feet up everyday with no problems, the only thing i get freaked out on is the crap trees, the tulip poplars the crappy maples, you know the trees, ive been using cmi strapes and pulleys to tie in lately so that i dont have to worry about a branch or lead giving out, vertical wood is strong than horizonal right (and if not dont tell me other wise thats what im flyin on lately ha) im also climing this way because of how smooth everything is and with rich h's anchor hitch it takes only mins to get to the crotch and untie the strap to come down, well worth it if you ask me, thanks for all the support you guys, im feeling better already
Familytree, when I first started climbing I would get really nervous, someone told me a good trick. they saidyour body is just letting you know it it understands something important is happening and it is ready. That really made being nervous a positive thing for me. The TIP was also a big comfort factor for me. Stick with it
My reply was ment for smaller trees were setting a rope guide would be a waste of time. like say big crab-apples, or tall dogwoods. If you are assending up a tall tree I wouldn't think that it's a good idea to use a ladder. I hate using ladders myself. I will trust a rope any day over a ladder.
- Location
- Seattle WA
wow, i've never heard so many tree guys admit fear - how cool is that. my advice to brand new climbers is if you're not afraid of heights you're stupid. it would be like not being afraid of the ocean, right? it can kill you. simple. respect and awareness of that is the key. good for you guys, pitching in support.
my 2 cents - when i first started working for myself i made a rookie mistake (i wasn't a rookie, though) that almost killed me. i tipped a 10 ft top into a high tension wire and got zapped. climbing for the year following that, or maybe more, was a jaw-clenching experience. partly it was because my adrenal system was fried and i would get totally random shots of adrenalin at weird times. the other part was what some of you guys are talking about - suddenly being more aware of how "squishable" i was. being stubborn (and also because i love love love climbing trees) i just plowed through it. eventually i got most of my "guts" back, it just took a while. but even now, there are times where i get sketched out - hazard tree removals, wires too close, lots of wind, etc.
my 2 cents comes from 14 yrs of martial arts training. breathe. if you stop and pay attention to your breath, it will help you feel more grounded. feel your lungs expand, feel the heaviness of your arms and legs. almost guaranteed to calm you down if you give it a minute or two. and when you're not like thrashing anymore, you get rational.and then, like someone else said, think about what is worrying you so much and find a rational way to put that worry to rest. works for me. hope that helps somebody sometime..
it's dangerous work. it makes sense to be worried, but don't let it run you - use it. doublecheck knots/biners. re-think rigging scenarios. etc.
long post. sorry bout that.
k.
my 2 cents - when i first started working for myself i made a rookie mistake (i wasn't a rookie, though) that almost killed me. i tipped a 10 ft top into a high tension wire and got zapped. climbing for the year following that, or maybe more, was a jaw-clenching experience. partly it was because my adrenal system was fried and i would get totally random shots of adrenalin at weird times. the other part was what some of you guys are talking about - suddenly being more aware of how "squishable" i was. being stubborn (and also because i love love love climbing trees) i just plowed through it. eventually i got most of my "guts" back, it just took a while. but even now, there are times where i get sketched out - hazard tree removals, wires too close, lots of wind, etc.
my 2 cents comes from 14 yrs of martial arts training. breathe. if you stop and pay attention to your breath, it will help you feel more grounded. feel your lungs expand, feel the heaviness of your arms and legs. almost guaranteed to calm you down if you give it a minute or two. and when you're not like thrashing anymore, you get rational.and then, like someone else said, think about what is worrying you so much and find a rational way to put that worry to rest. works for me. hope that helps somebody sometime..
it's dangerous work. it makes sense to be worried, but don't let it run you - use it. doublecheck knots/biners. re-think rigging scenarios. etc.
long post. sorry bout that.
k.
Forget senseless bravado - If in doubt, back it up. I'll be doing this most trees from now on (for various common sense, practicality and legal reasons). I shared it here if you think it'll help:
http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=94299&Main=94084#Post94299
Take care 'up there'.
P.
http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=94299&Main=94084#Post94299
Take care 'up there'.
P.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
Keep climbing, check your stuff no matter how confident you are and time will ease up the freezing thing.
I had a similar experience after sliding a bike under a car. I was a confident rider for years but getting back on after a month and a half on crutches was SCARY. I took several months before I was back to my old self... maybe I was never my old self again... but the jitters went away.
Solid climbing discipline will get you through, you don't have to be a speed demon to be productive.
I had a similar experience after sliding a bike under a car. I was a confident rider for years but getting back on after a month and a half on crutches was SCARY. I took several months before I was back to my old self... maybe I was never my old self again... but the jitters went away.
Solid climbing discipline will get you through, you don't have to be a speed demon to be productive.
