Tips for training a new climber

R

rangerdanger

Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Well, we want to start training our only non-hispanic employee right now, so we have a total of three climbers. He's never done anything involving tree climbing (At least to my knowledge), so he's totally new (expect for what he's seen since being with us), and he's interested in learning to climb. We thought to start of, we'd bring him over an hour or so early each day, and work on teaching him his knots before he went up the tree. After that, a few rec climbs at our house showing him the basics and letting him try it out, and Dad showing him stuff in the tree.

Any other pointers??? He's already visited this site once or twice (If you're reading this, what's up!!) so we figure he's already taken a step in the right direction with visiting the buzz!! Thanks guys for any help!!
 
Just a quick question?


<font color="green">The TreeHouse</font>
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Have the climber read:

The Tree Climber's Companion
The Tree Climber's Knot Book
The Tree Climber's Guide

Get the study guide for the Certified Arborist exam. The book presents a good base of knowledge that every arborist should be familiar with.
 
Have him work the ground and become a primo groundman and that will lay a good foundation for his climbing career. How can you be a good climber if you can't relate to the beautiful art and science of those noble ground workers?

jp
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Have him work the ground and become a primo groundman and that will lay a good foundation for his climbing career. How can you be a good climber if you can't relate to the beautiful art and science of those noble ground workers?

There ya go
 
Is there an apprenticeship program in your area? Offer to cover the cost of a course if he achieves an agreed upon grade point average. It is better for him if he is learning in an environment where he can experiment and try things out without the pressure of production goals at first.
 
I have gradually gone through the process of being trained as a climber. I found that the best way was to work the ground beneath an experienced climber who low and slow took me through the basics. I read the tree climber's companion to give me an idea of what I was in for. Learned my basic knots and became familiar with various climbing systems. I agree though, a non-stressful environment is critical to becoming comfortable in the trees.
 
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I have gradually gone through the process of being trained as a climber. I found that the best way was to work the ground beneath an experienced climber who low and slow took me through the basics.

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Especially being the 'rope man' for that climber!
 
I think that once the knots and 'theory' (and groundwork!) are learned the important thing is to get some hours in the harness doing appropriate climbing. I spent days and weeks doing nothing but deadwooding and thinning small austrian pines in housing complexes when I was first learning. Handsaw work, never more than 15 or 20 feet off the ground, perfect for learning basics like moving around in a tree, learning how to position yourself for cuts etc. Also good to learn proper pruning basics right from the start.
 
Thanks alot for the help everyone!! Right now, he's still learning some of the roping, but he's learning fast!!!

And thanks for the tip Gord. Dad told me yesterday, Dad, and our two ground guys both went up an Oak together I believe to do some dead wooding. One of those fun jobs, you know. Last one of the day, no obstacles below, etc. The two groudies only went up about 20 to 30 ft, hand saws only, but they said they liked it, especially our american guy. I'm sure Dad is going to get him started in learning his knots here soon enough, before he goes up again. Thanks!!
 
one of the ways we train new climbers is to introduce them to the rope and saddle throughout the summer, but in a limited amount. i've found it productive to wait until winter and train them on pruning dormant trees. if they can prune a haggled crabapple, they can prune anything. we always tell them to prune well first, proficiency in climbing will come with time.
 
Have him be a groundman for at LEAST A YEAR. But usually a person needs to be on the ground one to three years and become an excellent groundperson before they should be considered training to be a real climber.

I'm not saying don't let them climb a little. A little climbing is good now and then, but no real tree work while climbing.

they are going to be a sucky climber if they don't learn how to be an excellent groundman first and learn how to use the ropes during rigging and many circumstances. When he clearly has a good understanding of what is going on without being told, then have him climb.
 
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Well, we want to start training our only non-hispanic employee right now, so we have a total of three climbers. He's never done anything involving tree climbing (At least to my knowledge), so he's totally new (expect for what he's seen since being with us), and he's interested in learning to climb. We thought to start of, we'd bring him over an hour or so early each day, and work on teaching him his knots before he went up the tree. After that, a few rec climbs at our house showing him the basics and letting him try it out, and Dad showing him stuff in the tree.

Any other pointers??? He's already visited this site once or twice (If you're reading this, what's up!!) so we figure he's already taken a step in the right direction with visiting the buzz!! Thanks guys for any help!!

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Lots of time, patience and $.
 
Don't lose sight that training a climber is an investment the company makes in the employee. His first year and maybe years will be him/her geting used to climbing and pruning. I wouldn't expect someone who has no experience to become a good climber and a "productin climber" in a year. I have heard that it takes 5 years to become a good production climber. I myself believe this is true. So don't forget that it might be sometime before this new climber is footlocking up a 75' oak and doing end-weight reduction, in a timely manner that makes the company huge doe!!
I would recommend starting your climber out on small tasks and again emphasize safety and getting the task done, period. I try not to give a new climber a time limit, as speed and efficiency will come with more time in the saddle.
Like Tom said there is no substituion for good reading material that should re-inforce all the topics your climber will learn on a daily base at work.
These are just my thoughts on the subject. I personally believe that training a new climber is a tough job. You add in trying to get the job done on time, make money, be safe, and have high quality work for your customers, then add in training a new climber. It can be a challenge. And thats with nothing going wrong, Good luck!!
 
I agree that the groundsman training will give him the fundamentals...almost everybody was a brush mule once?

I would recomend some easy TOP ROPE rock climbing as a way to dial in balance mainly, but many other skills too (ropes, knots, teamwork...)

a bit of practice rock climbing makes climbin' trees basic.
Especially if you don't wanna' wear hooks all the time...

You can use your tree gear for top roping on rocks...all the rules are similar too.

Not such a bad idea to check into some simple tree biology lit. also, to be able to make responsible decisions in the tree ...

Couple of books do wonders.
 
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I agree that the groundsman training will give him the fundamentals...almost everybody was a brush mule once?

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I was (I guess?) lucky. From day one I was in a HI-Ranger swing a hydraulic pole saw, I didn't know squat. Ha.


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