Help for a Newbie!

BarnHouse

BarnHouse

Location
South Jersey
Hello all. I'd like to learn tree climbing both for recreation and hopefully, for future employment. I worked with a local tree service for a day and was given the basics, and despite using ill fitting equipment (the climbing belt was way too big) it helped me make sure this is really something I want to pursue. Problem now is, I need help finding more training. Does anyone know of anyone, group, or organization in or around the South Jersey area that I can contact?? If anyone can help in any way (advice, recommendations, steering in a particular direction etc.) I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
 
Gerry Beranek's "Fundamentals of General Tree Work" as well as "The Tree Climbers Companion" Jeff Jepson ....these two books are some of my Best Friends... Good Luck and as G.F.B says "Climb Safe"
 
I live in the south jersey area. What company did you work with? No offense but why did they have you in a tree when you've only been subjected to the riggors of tree work for one day? Something doesn't sound kosher. I do recreational climbs about once a month to help a long an apprentice I have working under me. If you want you can tag a long. I have to warn you, I'm not an easy teacher. I expect you to do everything I tell you to do. After all, your life is in MY hands. I have lost "students" because of this.

Do you own your own gear? Ropes? Anything?

Btw. Coming here is a great start. Welcome to the buzz
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The ill-fitting harness is safety downer.

Glad you're seeking out pro training. Follow up with the resources as mentioned above. =)
 
i think you could probably get in on the ground floor; build strength needed for climbing, learn to handle a saw for hours at a time, make plenty observations on how ropes work, climbing techniques etc. sooner than ya think.
 
Hello all. Thanks for all the replies.

familytree - It was a small tree service that my neighbor works for. I told him I was interested in learning to climb but wasn't sure if it was right for me. He offered to show me the basics when he had a small removal that required climbing. He gave me a chance to see if it was something I wanted to pursue. He did lecture me on safety before we started and I didn't run any saws. I also worked with the ground crew when he was cutting the tree so I could see things from that view point.

Also, thanks for your offer. About gear. At this point the only gear I own is the desire to learn. I wanted to make sure that a big investment like that would not be sitting in a bag. I was going to buy the Basic Rope Climbing Kit from Wespur to get started but was thinking of upgrading the climbing belt. Any suggestions on a good all around belt? Leg straps vs. butt strap??? Fixed D's vs. floating D's??? Thanks again for all the help.
 
Where in south jersey do you live? As far as a saddle goes I have about a million but find myself climbing in my Treemotion most of the time. It is a bit pricey however but totally worth the price. For your first saddle I would suggest something cheaper at first, definetely a floating d and leg straps.

Let me see when I'm rec climbing again and I'll let ya know then you can try my saddles out. I would adhere to treespiders advice though and start from the ground level and work your way up. It's important to realize how hard of a job this is and you have to earn the right to climb by getting your lumps in on the ground. It helps with chainsaw usage and it also helps build an appreciation for your ground workers once you do start to climb. There's nothing worse than a primadonna climber who has no respect for those below them.
 
Hello all. familytree - Sounds like a deal. I live in Atco, not too far down the Pike from Haddon Hts. Let me know when and where you plan on climbing again and I'll try to meet you if that's ok. I work shift work so I'm off various days during the week, but I do work every other weekend.

I don't think I have to worry about feeling like a prima donna, it's not really me, but your advice is well taken and I will heed your warnings (I've seen the work the chipper can do!) Thanks again.
 
prima donna - the climbers who wont listen to anyone and who wont do groundwork,show up on days they want to, leave the job when the tree is down,etc...
 
wish i had the chance to 'learn first'. i started working for a small outfit right after i got out of the army, dragging brush as the climber put it down. on friday morning, the prima donna climber didnt show up, and the boss said he was broke, so if i wanted to get paid for the week of dragging brush, i had to climb out the two trees that were left to take down, the boss didnt even climb! so, up i went. learned to start and run a saw in the tree,lol.and on spikes. been doin it over 20 yrs now,with no trips to the hospital yet, knock on wood. cant wear spikes nowdays, either, at least on prunings.my only advantage was i was ex 101st airborne and could rappell pretty well. i still freak my bosses out with my high speed decents from the tree tops.freaked myself out a few weeks ago when i burnt completly through the housing on my rope tail, comming 80 ft off a crane boom at a high rate of speed. my boss said he could smell the rope burning 75 ft away,lol.
 
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