New Climber

B

BradBatemanND

Location
58048
Hello Everyone,

I am looking at getting into tree climbing and I am in need of some help. What is the bare minimum required for equipment to get started? I've looked at those kits but they don't appear to be very high quality. Any information you guys have would be awesome.

Thanks
 
My experience doesn't hold a candle to a lot of the folks on here, but he's my recco for the bare minimum:

  • Saddle
  • 150'/200' climbing line, tied with a Blake's hitch
  • CAMBIUM SAVER
  • Choice of lanyard with hip prusik for adjuster
  • Triple action carabiners
  • Throwline kit x2 (you will get one stuck)
  • Hand saw
  • HELMET and EYE PROTECTION
That said, don't climb on a closed system, it sucks. Get an eye to eye and a tending pulley. I drank the SRT koolaid and now there's no going back.

My name is Jay and I have a gear problem.
 
Definitely work under someone who truly knows what they are doing, not just someone who “knows” what they are doing. “There is a difference between 10 years experience and six months experience repeated 20 times”

As far as gear to buy, Gap Arborist Supply has some great kits with all of the basics put together in one, they can also rearrange parts a bit to get you something you like, if there is one component you prefer to exchange for something else.
 
Hi Brad. X2 on having a reputable company teach you to climb so you can get quality feedback and improve. That is the route I went, not by choice, I was desperate for work and a local ISA arborist let me try out for a week and I earned a full time job as a groundie and graduated to climbing 3 months later. Constant feedback and opportunities to improve. I still mostly dragged brush but
if a climb was in my lane I was given the opportunity to do it. Invaluable. @rico is right. Learning from a real pro will be the best investment you can make. Stay humble, be willing to learn the ropes as a groundie, drag brush, run the chipper, grease the chipper, rake, and pay attention before dropping money on gear.

Ask tons of questions and hang out on here. Folks like @Crimsonking @swingdude @Tom Dunlap @rico @evo @Steve Connally to name a few who have helped answer my newbie questions and not steered me wrong.

Attend the TCIA Expo as well to learn and connect with other folks in the industry.
 
Climbing Arborist.com and YouTube channel has lots of technique based videos that are helpful and help with categorising the techniques. Foot ascender is your friend unless you are Uber fit climbing with your arms, especially getting started... hip thrusting up a rope ain’t fun....
 
Alcoley said:
If you do watch YouTube. Educated climber, Reg Coats is a good place for some tips. @rico has some great stuff also. You need to be careful on who and what you watch on there. Some say they're pros but they will get you killed. ( Human. Daniel) I totally agree with @rico, go to a reputable company and work under a experienced climber. Good luck and climb safe.
Click to expand...

@rico what is the name of your YouTube channel?
 
Start with the basics Blake’s bitch , and slowly advance yourself into prussiks and then into mechanical devices . Don’t go to fast in your advancement. always remember that this industry is exploding with new techniques and not to get stuck in one way of climbing . Learn them all , they each have their uses. Gear always helps . I also have a gear problem. :)
 
LOW AND SLOW - best advice I SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO.

Others have mentioned it -
- Start simple, work up from there
- Trees seem to change and the perspective is different when aloft
- Don't rush
- BUY GEAR YOU TRUST
- Have fun!!
 
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