New Old Kid on the Block

[Steve Connally]

So the latest at the tree show. The climber who climbs anything recklessly has been fired again. Don't worry he'll be back. He always is. So the new climber "part time". Such a nice guy. His MAC Arb cert number is like 140 or something. Mine is 4880. He has been climbing since the Arc was built and has competed for years in the MAC ISA comps. He has never been number 1 but has come in 2nd a few times. Such a laid back guy. He's totally old school. Natural crotches and climbs on a taught line hitch. He's a musician and is usually on tour but has the summer off. I am so looking forward to working with him. Old school with new school but I know I am going to be able to learn a ton from him. Hopefully he will bestow some hazard tree climbing education on me and some tried and true rigging skills I may not have been exposed to from past days. (Notice I didn't say old). It is such a breath of fresh air to have someone of his experience and expertise out there along side me. Growing tired of the macho young guys with the I know it all attitudes. Good stuff!!!

 

[oldoakman]

I'm sure you will learn from each other. Help him into srt and he will appreciate it I'm sure. Just don't cause him to become gear Addicted, he has to save for his retirement you know.

 

[TimBr]

@oldoakman; Too funny! LOL

 

[Tom Dunlap]

There are some nice matches between some professions

Fire fighter, rock climber stage rigging and the like

Musicians too. The discipline to showing up on time...except the drummer...haha! Working together. Creative. Irregular schedules

This sounds like a great match for both of you

 

[TimBr]

So the latest at the tree show. The climber who climbs anything recklessly has been fired again. Don't worry he'll be back. He always is. So the new climber "part time". Such a nice guy. His MAC Arb cert number is like 140 or something. Mine is 4880. He has been climbing since the Arc was built and has competed for years in the MAC ISA comps. He has never been number 1 but has come in 2nd a few times. Such a laid back guy. He's totally old school. Natural crotches and climbs on a taught line hitch. He's a musician and is usually on tour but has the summer off. I am so looking forward to working with him. Old school with new school but I know I am going to be able to learn a ton from him. Hopefully he will bestow some hazard tree climbing education on me and some tried and true rigging skills I may not have been exposed to from past days. (Notice I didn't say old). It is such a breath of fresh air to have someone of his experience and expertise out there along side me. Growing tired of the macho young guys with the I know it all attitudes. Good stuff!!!

Wow, Steve, this sounds like a real privilege. He has the the kind of demeanor you would hope for from a man of his vast experience.

I hope it turns out to be as exciting and rewarding a working relationship as you are hoping it will be.

If it does turn out that well, you might have to pull a Bill Murray, and grab him by the ankles as he tries to leave after he quits this job, with you yelling "You can't leave, all the plants will die!" I think that was a reference to the movie "Stripes".

Tim

 

[JeffGu]

Old school with new school...

Great news, Steve! I know things haven't been the greatest for you, lately, and sometimes a little change can make all the difference!

...showing up on time...except the drummer...

Now, to be fair... I knew a drummer who showed up on time quite often... he just sucked.

 

[Steve Connally]

I have high hopes. Unfortunately he will have to leave again an go on the road this fall. His kids are the band the Hunts Band. They are on tour with a band called OAR his fall. Kindly of indie folk. Talented children!!

 

[Jeff]

I love working with old(er) guys! They usually have that big bag of tricks that only come with years of experience. When the problems arise, and us mere mortals are scratching our heads, the old guys love to say "Watch this." BAM! Problem solved.

 

[Steve Connally]

It's nice working with him. He's friendly but obviously not looking for anymore friends. I've picked his brain a lot and don't really get much other than he goes by feel or instinct. Often times I get the "I started climbing at 15" line with not much substance for me to file away. So, I continue to watch from a distance and try to take in as much as possible. I watched him climb some dead stuff that imho no one had any business climbing. Ivy covered, bark falling off, gaffing out, rotten base, woodpecker holes, crumble when it hits the ground kinda stuff. Didn't phase him a bit. I'm not really sure I wanna be THAT guy! It is amazing to watch a guy do the same work with a 20 year old saddle and a flip line with no adjuster. He's fluent and there is no wasted movement in the tree. Calm as a cucumber. I was really proud to split a job of 8 pine take downs and keep up pace with him. He was on the ground as I was getting the last bit of pole down on my last tree. It's nice to know I have someone to bounce stuff off but probably haven't found the new best friend I was hoping for.

 

[islandarb]

Lol Steve...fancy gear surely does not make a good climber....does he do some nice pruning....is the question...or is he a removal specialist.....

 

[islandarb]

PS I love my fancy gear....lol

 

[Steve Connally]

Honestly I haven't seen him prune yet. I've wanted to watch him move about the canopy old school myself.

 

[islandarb]

That is where I test a climber's skill set....technical rigging removals take respect no doubt....but big prunes are what rounds us out as a climber...some guys have not a clue when the trusty gaffs are taken away...one should be proficient in both .....