Climbers & everyone else

[frans]

I just read a post in another thread:

Climbing is not my sole source of income so I opted to step out of the climbing and remain on the ground, but stayed in tree work. I have learend a lot because of people like yourself and many fine people here and the TH. I have thought about going aloft again... but we'll see.


That post made me think. I have a guy who helps me out on my jobs. He is young, has a very active lifestyle, works like a rented mule, and does not like heights.
He is a valuable part of my operation.
As fast or as slow as I am in the tree, it all comes down to the clean up and the critical eye for my rigging and set up. He helps with all of that. A good person on the ground is essential. Otherwise everything else comes to a grinding halt.
did I say 'grinding'? He also went out and bought himself a stump grinder and now does my stumps.
I hope he does not buy a computer and reads this post 'cause then I will have to work to shrink his ego !

 

[sean_freeman]

Frans, good post, especially since it reminds me of a few others here and in other forums. Since it goes to the heart of my own experiences I will respond;
I climb quite a lot, only occaisionally in very large trees, generally quite simple climbs 20-30m.
The small three man company i work in has myself, the owner who also climbs and the feller/grounds man. He has a very keen eye aloft, is always observant of the climbing lines, rigging etc.. I rely on him a lot, so much so that a year or more ago we all went down South to help out another Arb company with some tricky removals, and for one day I ended up with the other company's groundies. It odd how much reasurance you get from a close work mate, climbing up a healthy 35m gum tree to remove deadwood over roads and paths I experienced an unusual apprehension that I can only put down to not having "my" groundie there.

As climbers we often neglect to let our ground support know just how important they are to the smooth flow of the job, having someone watch my back so to speak makes it much easier for me to concentrate on doing my job safely and efficiently.

 

[eucmaninshorts]

You are as only as good as your groundman. All the rigging in the world won't make a damn bit of difference to your client & public if you have a bunch of baboons that have no idea what to do with the piece after the cut. My greatest moments in a tree aren't setting the rigging, it's getting to watch the results play out before the clients and to see their amazement. The lowest moments are when I’ve taken the time to rig it right, then have some flunky lose his nerve and run it into the house – or worse yet – 3 phase.

 

[Lazarus2]

I agree with all the above. The 'offical' advanced rigging course in the UK stipulates all canidates need to be competent climbers. Like they're the ones that need to set up and use the capstans, pull lines and rigging lines on the ground, manage the work zone and deal with the client and public!

My courses are tailored to groundies or climbers as required.

A good groundsman is just as rare as a good climber, requiring reward and training accordingly.