Is it ridiculous to consider having a work climb in a cottonwood? Has anyone competed in a comp where this took place? Would a thoroughly pruned and inspected tree, with an obviously large tie-in, still be considered too risky? The fact that the judges on the ground would have a hard time seeing the climber as he/she maneuvers through the canopy, due to the height, probably is a factor also. Imagine the swings to be had, and the different ways the climb would be approached. I have seen climbers who move fairly fast while 30 feet off the ground become, shall we say, a bit more tentative when 80 feet up in the air. These mammoth trees can be climbed safely.
cottonwood work climb
- Thread starter whataview
- Start date
Hmmmm... very unusual. Sounds like a can o worms, though.
<font color="green">The TreeHouse</font>
Every click a different pic!
<font color="green">The TreeHouse</font>
Every click a different pic!
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
A few years ago the Master's Challenge at teh MN TCC was held in Duluth at Glensheen. The tree was a large cottonwood. Anyone who was there will remember it for a very different reason.
Why are you asking?
What difference does it make what the species is for any of the comp trees? The knowledge and skill of the techs who set up the events is relied on to determine if the tree is suitable.
Why are you asking?
What difference does it make what the species is for any of the comp trees? The knowledge and skill of the techs who set up the events is relied on to determine if the tree is suitable.
what was the reason people will remember that event in Duluth?
I"m not questioning the knowledge or abilities of the people who volunteer to set up and judge the events.
The species of tree for a given event, like the work climb, can determine the overall flow of a climb. I'm sure the people in charge of picking which trees to use like a little variety from year to year. I did not see the Mntcc in 2004, maybe there was a cottonwood used that year. Just curious to hear what trees people are climbing in competition, and climbing cottonwoods in general.
I"m not questioning the knowledge or abilities of the people who volunteer to set up and judge the events.
The species of tree for a given event, like the work climb, can determine the overall flow of a climb. I'm sure the people in charge of picking which trees to use like a little variety from year to year. I did not see the Mntcc in 2004, maybe there was a cottonwood used that year. Just curious to hear what trees people are climbing in competition, and climbing cottonwoods in general.
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
It sure is...
Why would it be ridiculous for any one species? Are you asking if c'wds shouldn't be used for comps?
From the way that you phrased your question it sounded to me like you were thinking of a specific comp that is coming up.
The work climb at Glensheen was in two c'woods with a swing between the two.
The in-tree tech in Eagan was able to make some calls for us last week that the ground judges couldn't see. Those oaks were a lot thicker than most any c'wd.
I've been to comps where american elms were used and they weren't skinned out. The in-tree judge/s are there to be aerial eyes for the ground judges.
Why would it be ridiculous for any one species? Are you asking if c'wds shouldn't be used for comps?
From the way that you phrased your question it sounded to me like you were thinking of a specific comp that is coming up.
The work climb at Glensheen was in two c'woods with a swing between the two.
The in-tree tech in Eagan was able to make some calls for us last week that the ground judges couldn't see. Those oaks were a lot thicker than most any c'wd.
I've been to comps where american elms were used and they weren't skinned out. The in-tree judge/s are there to be aerial eyes for the ground judges.
- Location
- St. Paul, MN
I like climbing cottonwoods... better give me at least a 6" crotch to tie in with!
Rec climb tomorrow... check the Rec forum.
Rec climb tomorrow... check the Rec forum.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
It's a tree ain't it.
If every TCC was held in nothing but giant oaks it just moves the whole thing closer to climbing a 'standardized' structure... we could just start fabricating the like indoor climbing walls.
I imagine a master's climb in a cottonwood vs. and oak would be pretty interesting... different approaches and problems to solve.
If every TCC was held in nothing but giant oaks it just moves the whole thing closer to climbing a 'standardized' structure... we could just start fabricating the like indoor climbing walls.
I imagine a master's climb in a cottonwood vs. and oak would be pretty interesting... different approaches and problems to solve.
- Location
- Springfield, MO USA
midwest chapter had a cottonwood master's challenge a few years back in Manhattan, KS I believe. it was an awesome tree and the climbers loved it. We have also had masters challenges in sycamores, too.
Norm_Hall
New member
- Location
- Wauconda, (Chicago),IL,USA
[ QUOTE ]
Hmmmm... very unusual. Sounds like a can o worms, though.
<font color="green">The TreeHouse</font>
Every click a different pic!
[/ QUOTE ]
When was the last time you competed? Or saw a competition in real life?
Hmmmm... very unusual. Sounds like a can o worms, though.
<font color="green">The TreeHouse</font>
Every click a different pic!
[/ QUOTE ]
When was the last time you competed? Or saw a competition in real life?
Norm_Hall
New member
- Location
- Wauconda, (Chicago),IL,USA
[ QUOTE ]
Is it ridiculous to consider having a work climb in a cottonwood? Has anyone competed in a comp where this took place? Would a thoroughly pruned and inspected tree, with an obviously large tie-in, still be considered too risky? The fact that the judges on the ground would have a hard time seeing the climber as he/she maneuvers through the canopy, due to the height, probably is a factor also. Imagine the swings to be had, and the different ways the climb would be approached. I have seen climbers who move fairly fast while 30 feet off the ground become, shall we say, a bit more tentative when 80 feet up in the air. These mammoth trees can be climbed safely.
[/ QUOTE ]
The ITCC held a work climb and master's challenge in a cottonwood in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 2002??
Is it ridiculous to consider having a work climb in a cottonwood? Has anyone competed in a comp where this took place? Would a thoroughly pruned and inspected tree, with an obviously large tie-in, still be considered too risky? The fact that the judges on the ground would have a hard time seeing the climber as he/she maneuvers through the canopy, due to the height, probably is a factor also. Imagine the swings to be had, and the different ways the climb would be approached. I have seen climbers who move fairly fast while 30 feet off the ground become, shall we say, a bit more tentative when 80 feet up in the air. These mammoth trees can be climbed safely.
[/ QUOTE ]
The ITCC held a work climb and master's challenge in a cottonwood in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 2002??
[ QUOTE ]
When was the last time you competed? Or saw a competition in real life?
[/ QUOTE ]
Never!!! Is that cool with you?
Every click a different pic!
When was the last time you competed? Or saw a competition in real life?
[/ QUOTE ]
Never!!! Is that cool with you?
Every click a different pic!
easyphloem
Branched out member
- Location
- Louisville, KY
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
When was the last time you competed? Or saw a competition in real life?
[/ QUOTE ]
Never!!! Is that cool with you?
[/ QUOTE ]
How on Earth could you find the time to spectate at a TCC, what with all the internets message boards that need one-liners and outrageously oversized emoticons? Not to mention all the massive Pines that need to be MasterBlastered down to the ground!
SZ
[ QUOTE ]
When was the last time you competed? Or saw a competition in real life?
[/ QUOTE ]
Never!!! Is that cool with you?
[/ QUOTE ]
How on Earth could you find the time to spectate at a TCC, what with all the internets message boards that need one-liners and outrageously oversized emoticons? Not to mention all the massive Pines that need to be MasterBlastered down to the ground!
SZ
easyphloem
Branched out member
- Location
- Louisville, KY
Boo-ya.
SZ
SZ
- Location
- Enid, Ok
[ QUOTE ]
How did the masters in the sycamore turn out? What other species of trees are people climbing in competition?
[/ QUOTE ]
it actually went pretty well, specially since we had a rain delay of over an hour.
the tree had the potential to be held up to its secondary name - slickamore.
One other year in Nebraska City, we used a monster bur oak. I think most of ours have been oaks of one specie or another.
How did the masters in the sycamore turn out? What other species of trees are people climbing in competition?
[/ QUOTE ]
it actually went pretty well, specially since we had a rain delay of over an hour.
the tree had the potential to be held up to its secondary name - slickamore.
One other year in Nebraska City, we used a monster bur oak. I think most of ours have been oaks of one specie or another.
Norm_Hall
New member
- Location
- Wauconda, (Chicago),IL,USA
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
When was the last time you competed? Or saw a competition in real life?
[/ QUOTE ]
Never!!! Is that cool with you?
Every click a different pic!
[/ QUOTE ]
Why in the world would you chime in on something you know nothing about?
[ QUOTE ]
When was the last time you competed? Or saw a competition in real life?
[/ QUOTE ]
Never!!! Is that cool with you?
Every click a different pic!
[/ QUOTE ]
Why in the world would you chime in on something you know nothing about?
[ QUOTE ]
A few years ago the Master's Challenge at teh MN TCC was held in Duluth at Glensheen. The tree was a large cottonwood. Anyone who was there will remember it for a very different reason.
Why are you asking?
What difference does it make what the species is for any of the comp trees? The knowledge and skill of the techs who set up the events is relied on to determine if the tree is suitable.
[/ QUOTE ]
A bit more than a few years ago. 1997 to be precise.
Tom is correct. This comp was loaded with huge Cottonwoods. The work climb was 2 biggies which required a massive swing from one to the other, and the masters tree was intimidating to say the least. They were safe trees, but yes, "tie in" branches were much more closely examined and from what I remember a 6" minimum was required.
That was a tough comp!
I remember it all too well!!
A few years ago the Master's Challenge at teh MN TCC was held in Duluth at Glensheen. The tree was a large cottonwood. Anyone who was there will remember it for a very different reason.
Why are you asking?
What difference does it make what the species is for any of the comp trees? The knowledge and skill of the techs who set up the events is relied on to determine if the tree is suitable.
[/ QUOTE ]
A bit more than a few years ago. 1997 to be precise.
Tom is correct. This comp was loaded with huge Cottonwoods. The work climb was 2 biggies which required a massive swing from one to the other, and the masters tree was intimidating to say the least. They were safe trees, but yes, "tie in" branches were much more closely examined and from what I remember a 6" minimum was required.
That was a tough comp!
I remember it all too well!!
