Minimal climbing gear

A false crotch is a good idea but I have only seen two climbers use an advanced/corded friction hitch and maybe two more using a half inch split tail. A FC is much too complicated for a basic kit I think.
 
I personally can't stand wearing gloves to climb or work in in general. And would hate to work for a co that requires it. I get a better grio and knot tying ability with out them (though ugly gloves to help or wet ropes and trees). But any glove makes my hand sweat and get overly hot. They even sweat in the winter, so my hands get colder then with none at all. If I do wear them in winter I go through 2-3 pairs a day from hands makeing them damp and then colder.

I agree with everything esle. I dont use a camel-back but I can see the value of it. Just recently added a fox whistle to my saddle and luv it. Figure 8 i think something I wouldnt want to be without. Also I like having single ascender on my saddle.
 
IN the winter, keep your gloves...not cotton...inside your shirt. When you change gloves put the wet ones inside. Your body heat will dry them by driving the moisture out into your other layers. Keep a couple of pairs inside your shirt.
 
This summer our crew had a 5 gallon water jug that we kept on the truck. We took turns buying water and ice everyday. Some of use wore camelbacks all the time, but I wouldn't allow it when chipping. I bought another one so i can load up two in the morning and have cool water all day.

Maybe instead /in addition to the throwline would be a polesaw that could be used to set lines in easy climbing trees (secured freeclimbing). I have wasted a lot of time setting lines with a throwline when it wasn't necessary.

A set of binoculars may prove useful to check out tie-in points in sketchy trees, if not all trees. Maybe just to have on the truck to share.

OH, and every crew should have a GRCS...
 
So far, every time I've had to come down from a tree before finishing is because I needed water. I'm taking it with me one way or another from now on.

Maybe it shouldn't be a requirement, but strongly advisable... hydration really is crucial to physical endurance, and probaly performance too.
 
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Maybe so...but what would you think of a car mechanic who showed up with a tool box that only had hammers, pliers and Crescent wrenches?
[...]

[/ QUOTE ]
I'd say he was my Uncle Bill from Alabama! ...no, wait, he doesn't have a toolbox.
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Assuming we're talking about what you actually take up the`tree vs. what's in the bag you bring to the job...

I have your list exactly except my helmet is a skateboard helmet that will have to do until I can afford something better.

- I use a 10' double lanyard. I'm thinking about adding a 15' single for positioning.
- After a slow trip up a big poplar the other day I've added a throw weight so I can advance my TIP as I go.
- I always have a pocket knife.
- I'll be adding a water pack for sure.
- I carry 2 or 3 loop runners and 3 - 6 regular climbing biners for re-directs, temporary gear hangers, etc.
- Being an old rock climber I have to have my figure eight as a security blanket.
- Lately I'm using rock shoes for climbing because they're easy on the tree and grip rough bark like glue.
- I use a Jumar and a Pantin for rope ascent, the jumar gets stowed in a bag once I get my high TIP.
- For pruning I just ordered a 12' polesaw which I expect will help me be more efficient (I'm new at this).


My kit bag has more loop runners, biners, heavy boots and gaffs, slickline, some dog leash snaps, hand pruners, a saw lanyard which doubles as a shock absorber when pruning bigger sections that I can't just drop, an old etrier, and a daisy chain for hanging gear in the tree.

I'd wear safety glasses if I could find some that didn't fog up. I've been twang-popped in the eye waaay too many times.
 
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IN the winter, keep your gloves...not cotton...inside your shirt. When you change gloves put the wet ones inside. Your body heat will dry them by driving the moisture out into your other layers. Keep a couple of pairs inside your shirt.

[/ QUOTE ]

Lordy, I'd be headed to the house by then!
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I use mine every time coming out of a spar that we are going to pull over. Attach it to pull line and repel down. Started this after taking a 20' fall when my climbing line rolled out of a notch on the spar (was new and following boss's intructions)

and use it other times as well for the fun of it when exiting a tree.
 
I'll back that up. When I'm wearing my camelback, I sometimes catch myself with the straw in my mouth without realizing it. Any moment when I'm catching my breath or thinking about my next step, I'm sipping more water. If I have to stop, fetch a bottle, open it, drink some, stow it, etc, I just don't bother as often. Plus, when it's really hot, having a bag of cool water on my back helps keep me from overheating.

k
 
Tom,

Instead of requiring a specific "vessel" for water, why not just specify a specific amount of water to be available for consumption. Different folks different strokes. The important is the drinking part, not what gets it there.

Tony
 
Tom, Is the equipment being provided? Or are the climber's purchasing their own. I'd take a free water bladder any day, but I wouldn't consider it a requirement for any operation. I agree with Svein about the wire core lanyard- I consider mine essential. Also, while the whistle seems like a good idea, I've always resisted using one.

I think everyone knows that climbers are a finicky bunch. Everyone has their own preferences. Sometimes forcing extra equipment on experienced climbers can be detrimental to moral. Do you take each climber's experience level into consideration when you make expectations of them? You can lead a horse to water....
 
I have never provided climbing gear for any climber. the closest that I've come to that is buying it for the climber and deducting the cost from the first three or four paychecks.

the list is more a general idea of what anyone would expect a climber to show up with on the first day of work.

The amount of discussion that has gone into water bladders is very interesting. They only cost about $30 and are so beneficial.

Many of the climbers that are working on this project have lanyards that have the looped adjuster. They adjust from 4-7" and the hitch is always on the back side of the tree. I would NEVER allow one on one of my climbers. Have the adjuster on the hip dee. If they can't make that change then they are sure going to fight with me when I expect proper collar cuts and false crotches. Maybe I have expectations that are too high. But, then again, I expect my dentist to have gotten rid of the tooth grinder that was driven by rubber belts...
 
Different strokes for different folks!
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I stay hydrated just fine in the summer and I don't use a cammelback. I drink at least a gallon of water per day. I also drink a Gatorade or something like that per day. (Not to forget that foods we eat help with retaining water, but that is a different subject.)

To say the camelback is a must, that would be an opinion/preference.

Frankly, I would not choose to use one because of weight, discomfort with extra swetting on your back, and for the possibility of getting snagged.



That's it for me
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