Say it aint so!
Grooming a Climber
- Thread starter Stihl my heart
- Start date
evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
Yeah, I suck at this shit. But I keep trying to pole vault that ever increasing brick wall. Over and over and over... splat, splat, splat
evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
Sumtin like that with a little more lift
Tony
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Lancaster, PA
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
Go to a climbing gym!
I live in a cave, so I can't speak to the overall quality of climbers in this area, or others. From what I can tell, forum users have an edge.
Rock climbers have an edge.
I started climbing trees 15 years after I first rope-climbed on real rock.
Of the few I've seen, that aren't comp climbers/ top climbers putting out videos. I think climbers often make this stuff out into being way harder than I think it is.
Hanging upside down, looking at a back-down/ face-up fall away from what you're clinging to, makes direct-aid feel easy. Direct-aid climbing is climbing by pulling on gear.
Add to this, that you're always on a top-rope, so you should never fall more than about a foot, and you get a whole new perspective on climbing.
When using rock climbing shoes, the tiny 'jibs' for foot holds are so small they are held on with two wood screws because a bolt won't fit. Pretty much used as tiny foot-holds. If you get used to putting your foot on the foothold as well as possible, and it works, your feeling of what you can stand on (supported by a bunch of ropes) goes way up.
I have a new climber playlist on Youtube. It's helpful for all sorts of people, aspiring climbers and groundworkers, alike.
- Location
- Fort Collins
What’s your YouTube?
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Tony
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Lancaster, PA
Rico,
More like while I know of them. Even know some of them, I can’t make a fair assessment unless we actually work together. I don’t rush to judgement based on youtube and the like.
Tony
The question as to whether Mr. Beranek is a great climber/tree-man or not isn't really up for debate, and I believe Reg and August have enough video's out there that proclaiming them both great climbers/Tree-men certainly wouldn't be a rush to judgement.
TimBr
Official Well Known Greeter
- Location
- Northern Virginia
Does this mean you'll accept my application?
For a certain set of climbers it is a lifestyle, how we identify, a deep down commitment. Hard to explain easy to spot. There is difference between the 10 year flash in the pan burn outs to the lifelong down for the cause, still have love for this lifers. I don't give a rats ass about new gear that all does the same thing. Taunt line hitch to bulldog bone I ll rock it all. Flag tapping aint for me. I love the inner dialogue that comes from being gripped. Some may not identify with my outlook, but for those who do, you get it. Unbelievable to me that I make this kind of living doing what I still love.
RBJtree
Branched out member
- Location
- Pittsburgh
I learned by working with a bunch of different guys and adopting, modifiing, and improving on what I saw them do. Most of my training was watch and learn, not a detailed explanation of how to do it. No one held my hand. Did it take me 10 years to be "good" or "great"? I don't know, am I? I know I can run with the guys on youtube. Maybe someday I'll get a cam and find time for all the editing, unless you want to watch my 4 hour raw footage. I haven't trained many climbers. Most of the people I've come across who were even ok at climbing were primadonnas and refused to learn a damn thing. I learned something from every damn one of them and every good climber I worked with before and after. Even the ones that I could out perform on my worst day had something for me to learn and then do better than they could. I don't mean to sound like I think I am the best, this is just how I have learned. I worked with a least one guy who had me beat, but most of the guys on this forum would have looked down on his techniques as antiquated old school and potentially hazardous. I was a little unsure of him too, but he was damn good at what he did and well known in these parts as being the best around go to guy when no one else could get something done. I learned a lot from him and combined that with the new school stuff Iearned by research and the ol' internet. I live in a cave now too since I went on my own so I don't get exposure to many other climbers except on here and watching you tube videos. If I ever find someone worth training, I'll let you know how I do it, lol.
TimBr
Official Well Known Greeter
- Location
- Northern Virginia
Apologies for my ignorance, here. You've just used a couple of slang expressions I'm not certain I understand. Is "flag tapping" equivalent to competing in climbing competitions? Also, is "being gripped" taken to mean highly focused while trying to complete a real-world tree climbing and cutting task? If they mean something else, I could use an explanation. Thanks in advance for your time.
Tim
Tim, yes on the flag tapping. Gripped means being scared. I enjoy the focus and inner dialogue you experience during hazardous, dangerous or intense situations. You are well informed and I always appreciate your input.
rope-a-dope
Branched out member
- Location
- Asheville
So I guess the real 1st answer to the OP question, is exposure to the work.
Many of the arborists out there can only speak of their own experiences, which is what we all rely on most. Learning by observation is unavoidable, that is how we build a concept of tree climbing. But you cant just show someone youtube tree cutters and expect mastery. Although, many successful arborists are really good at mimicry and self education; we tend to be able to watch and learn behavior. But back to the question, how do you develop a noob?
I usually take a crew leader role at work, and have some experience with teaching skills to new climbers. And there are some really important things that you can do for them.
First is immediate feedback and direct coaching. After a decade of pro climbing, you might forget what the first few times were like. If I can manage it, I get in the tree with them, communicating directly the things I notice and the tips I have for them (the senas are the next option). I ask them questions, to get them talking and thinking. This helps get that internal dialogue going, so later they can listen to their own feedback, like, "this is uncomfortable, what can I do here to feel more stable."
Second is appropriate and progressive tasking. Dont make someone use a saw the first time they get in a tree. Dont make them change their system around, before they are comfortable breaking down and rebuilding it at height. It is really beneficial to balance between new challenges and simple easy stuff they can feel confident with. This may require some creativity and flexibility. Like giving them one little section of a tree that you are pruning, a single limb walk that you can set the rope for, right over it.
Many of the arborists out there can only speak of their own experiences, which is what we all rely on most. Learning by observation is unavoidable, that is how we build a concept of tree climbing. But you cant just show someone youtube tree cutters and expect mastery. Although, many successful arborists are really good at mimicry and self education; we tend to be able to watch and learn behavior. But back to the question, how do you develop a noob?
I usually take a crew leader role at work, and have some experience with teaching skills to new climbers. And there are some really important things that you can do for them.
First is immediate feedback and direct coaching. After a decade of pro climbing, you might forget what the first few times were like. If I can manage it, I get in the tree with them, communicating directly the things I notice and the tips I have for them (the senas are the next option). I ask them questions, to get them talking and thinking. This helps get that internal dialogue going, so later they can listen to their own feedback, like, "this is uncomfortable, what can I do here to feel more stable."
Second is appropriate and progressive tasking. Dont make someone use a saw the first time they get in a tree. Dont make them change their system around, before they are comfortable breaking down and rebuilding it at height. It is really beneficial to balance between new challenges and simple easy stuff they can feel confident with. This may require some creativity and flexibility. Like giving them one little section of a tree that you are pruning, a single limb walk that you can set the rope for, right over it.
Wish I had someone like u back when I was green
- Location
- Fort Collins
Enjoying all the feedback.
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