Pass on the knowledge

Tom Dunlap

Tom Dunlap

Here from the beginning
Administrator
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Retired in Minneapolis
When Mahk and I were walking through the woods last week we talked about how hard it is to pass on the knowledge that we'vef gained over the years. There are so many subtleties that can only be learned in the field. Then there is the fact that a particular thing may only occur rarely.

It seems like it should be taken as a responsibility to teach as much as we can to the less experienced people in the profession. If there isn't a hand-off of this knowledge they'll have to learn it all over again on their own.

Lately I've thought a lot about how much I learned from Marv thirty years ago that has stood the test of time. We never used anything but half inch manila for any lowering. Getting the hang of dynamic lowering was the only option. After locking one chunk off and giving Marv a ride he let me know, in no uncertain terms, that if I did it again he would tie me to the trunk and do the same to me.

After seeing the Aussie video of the guy getting whipped on the spar, Mahk's "Analye this stump" and the "barberchair" pics it is evident that there are people cutting who could use the knowledge that is stored in our heads.

This is a sermon to the choir I'm sure though. Take the time when you're talking with less experienced folks to take advantage of the "Teachable Moments"
 
Unfortunatly many of the less experienced folk have been doing it "their way" for a number of year. I've come across many lately, that are not teachable. I think an open mind is needed but missing many times.
 
Tom,
If you're really serious about what you said, why not offer a climb course or maybe even something not so formal every now and then, much like other instructors around the country do, some of whom have schools or just have private climbs, in order to teach this knowledge first hand.
I'm sure that many climbers are just as thirsty to learn as you and Mahk are eager to pass on this valuable knowledge.
I believe many would come to an invite from such well known climbers as you and Mahk. This would also pass on the techniques in a proper way, would honor those who developed them, and would help the students save years of trial and error.
It's great to know you and Mahk seem to realize the unique gifts and knowledge you possess. All you have to do now is share it in such a manner that touches as many climbers as possible.
Go for it!! Start your own Colorado Rendezvous!--or something!
Just my two cents, from an eager to learn newbie!
 
Charlie,

Stay tuned to this Bat Channel...There may be other Rendezvous' to attend in other parts of the country.

I've crossed paths with climbers who are set in their ways. With a little time together I can generally find a way to experience a Teachable Moment. It only takes one to make a reference point for more TMs. When I stop trying to find a way to get through their bias I realize that I've become biased too. It is very challenging to get people to open their minds to new and different ways to approach an old practice. Once there is a little buy-in the rest is easy.
 
TOM.. IT IS SO GRET THAT YOU HAVE A PASSION TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE.. I really appreciate your helping me out at the bishop co booth at TCI long beach.. the newer style fliplines you showed me are cool..and to think i'd been climbing on 3/4 in 3 braid with a cats paw knot as my lanyard of choice for years it still rocks for palms and fat trees. but the newer stuff is faster and doesn't require two buckstraps..and in big trees a split tail is so helpfull...
just secrets kept by old timers that you cared enough to share..i have noticed a big difference in old school vs new school climbers and the mentallity that "you aint gonna learn ME nothing" directly quoted from the evansville indiana city arborist, at their arborculture work shop.
i wish you the best of luck in your new found mission and the tree-men-dous task of de flating ego's to share this knowledge.
I remember seeing robert phillips for the first time about 8 or 10 years ago..but there were too many people there to approach him and question him on all the groovy stuff he climbed with...maybe some small groups or having extra people on site to do hands on work with people would be cool...the aborjena's come to mind..jarod and his dad seem to be into helping people along, if you roll thru arizona i'd be into checking out a seminar ...take care.
 
Tom at TCI Wednesday there will be students in the park doing activities and taking a test. At the risk of being disruptive, I had a notion to go there and do some risk assessment/planning, diagnosis/treatment etc. Heck that's what I do by nature wherever I go.

The best workshops I've been to have been outside. I'd like to see what they are teaching and testing on; see you there?
 
Every once and a while - although becoming more rare - someone enters your life that is a good human being.

Thanks for being that, you folks who know who I'm talking about.
 
Whoops I got my days wrong; students in the park on thursday. I'll be there until early afternoon. hope to see you there.

RRH that experience is less rare for me these days, I think. It's hard to judge.
 
Thanks to all contributers to the "buzz". I started learning about and doing tree work in 93. MOst of you guys have forgotten everything I've learned since then or you were innovators in new techniques. I just "discovered" tree buzz recently and in the last 10-12 months, I learned more tricks, techniques, safety tips, and valuable tangeable(sp) lessons THan I had my first ten years.(slight exageration) You guys definately "pass it on". For that I'm grateful. I've become motivated once again Regardless of all the bitter crusty "can't teach me nothin'" people I work with.
 
How about Arbor Camp?

We have one in Brisbane once a year and one in Melbourne once a year ... low cost informal way of getting people involved "hands on."

Check it out here first

http://gypoclimber.com/treehouse/viewtopic.php?t=2135

Then here for the TV coverage

http://gypoclimber.com/treehouse/viewtopic.php?t=2450

PS: Disclaimer: Being a relative newbie on this forum I yet have to understand the protocol of cross posting, in the event that it be deemed an undesirable process I assure a simple warning <u>once</u> will suffice, there is no degradation or malicious intent in doing so just a further expansion of information to the industry without complicated duplications and unnecessary waste of time for the author.
 
Thanks guys, just didn't want to tread on toes.

And I have a lot of respect for this site and the dedicated people who make it happen. /forum/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif
 
Quote from Eric_E:
Unfortunatly many of the less experienced folk have been doing it "their way" for a number of year. I've come across many lately, that are not teachable. I think an open mind is needed but missing many times.

_______________________________________________________
Please don't forget the good ole saying. "you can't teach old dogs new tricks." I am 29, young to some and middle aged to others. And I see that many older guys are stuck in their ways too. (There are always exceptions to both the young and old). I work around and meet guys who are eager to learn something new frequently. Perhaps, there is a plateau many folks reaches once being in the industry for a while. Perhaps, it is pride and overconfidence. Perhaps, some people (young and old) are simply not teachable.

I know I have a passion for what I do and that passion allows me to humble myself and realize there are many people out there (young or old) who have the experience and formal training that I don't have.

I think there are many guys who work in the industry who view their job as "just a pay check." They are the people who are not teachable. They may learn a few basic tricks to get by, but that is all they will continue to do.--Just get by.

And yes, Tom and Mark your wisdome and willingness to learn is beneficial to all (the yound and old). /forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
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