Where to start?

[Merle Nelson]

I don't have any challenge with people changing their focus or goals or even quitting an endeavor altogether. (Pointedly different things in my mind.) I just think it's relatively easy to do and rarely see the need to add my voice into the mix for supporting a person on that course.

On the other hand, doing the harder thing or taking the road less traveled seems to be harder for most of us humans to do and inspires me to see and support. My wife and I had a book, Growing Old Is Not For Sissies. Inspiring little short stories with pictures of wrinkled active people that got into their sport of their passion later in life. A woman whom summited Everest at 89 but had only started climbing at 68 as an example.

And I'm impressed by things like the study that showed bodybuilders in their 70's building muscle - and bone - at the same rate as men in their 30's and 20's.

 

[Merle Nelson]

I think I saw a reference to Lawrence Schultz's electronic version of SRT info in this thread. He has that pulled down right now considering it to be outdated because of so many new tools and etc.

 

[Merle Nelson]

I don't have any challenge with people changing their focus or goals or even quitting an endeavor altogether. (Pointedly different things in my mind.) I just think it's relatively easy to do and rarely see the need to add my voice into the mix for supporting a person on that course.

On the other hand, doing the harder thing or taking the road less traveled seems to be harder for most of us humans to do and inspires me to see and support. My wife and I had a book, Growing Old Is Not For Sissies. Inspiring little short stories with pictures of wrinkled active people that got into their sport of their passion later in life. A woman whom summited Everest at 89 but had only started climbing at 68 as an example.

And I'm impressed by things like the study that showed bodybuilders in their 70's building muscle - and bone - at the same rate as men in their 30's and 20's.

Oops, I lied. Googled and oldest person to summit Everest is a Japanese man just short of 81. So my facts were not correct but the principle holds in my mind. Started later in life, was passionate about it, did some far more aggressive mountain climbing later in life - not sure what.

 

[data farm 26]

If a person sets their mind to something there is not much that one cannot accomplish ( barring physical limitations,) in regards to fitness and feats of strength etc, humans are definitely capable of some amazing things! But you have to really want it, in my opinion. Most people who I have seen become serviceable tree climbers were really dedicated to it mind body and soul. I have seen a few climbers who just naturally could really make it happen, but that is an exception in my experience. Nothing wrong with being realistic though, it's not for everyone and that's fine. Just depends on the individual cost benefit analysis. If you want to be a great tree climber you probably can, but do you want to make the necessary sacrifice? I've seen many bow out, myself included a time or two, no shame in that, especially in a deadly game like tree climbing.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Yes. And as a part of that, when it comes to the brain, I think of the example I once saw on video of teaching AI to cross the street. Something almost any 6 year old can do well. They outlined the phenomenal amount of complex calculations that go on in the brain to decide if that car is coming too fast etc. Hard to teach AI, simple for little human.

I think of this for all the things we must, should, and could do to be good climbers. We name them off while talking about it but precious few need be viewed of as consciously thought of while being a good climber.

 

[islandarb]

I started climbing at 40. I am now 57. Have climbed trees for money in Canada, US and the UK. Have done a good few comps, even judged in a few. Have climbed with some of the best climbers from all over. I wanted it, I saturated in it, I have the passion, I think about it a lot. I am not slowing down. I do big removals using cranes or manual and large prunes and proper reductions. I consider myself competent and methodical. Not much will intimidate me these days. But tropical spreading trees are my fortay. Whenever I travel, I take climbing gear. I know I will climb something. My son climbs with me and works with me every holidays out of school. He is 13. Runs a saw better than my 2 ground staff. You know why? He follows my lead and listens. I say all this to encourage you @Suuz. This picture tells you how much I love this industry. Keep reaching for your dream @Suuz.

 

[Suuz]

Thanks for the support andalso for the critical notes.

I can see tree climbingisn't for everyone. I might be to old and maybe I physicallynever get strong enough. But it ain't over till the fat lady sings.

In the new year I will buy my own set of climbing gear, so that I can practice on a regular basis. I will look for a mentor, someone to coach me in tree climbing. I intend to attend some competitions. And I'll work on my strength and durability. If this doesn't result in climbing with more ease and becoming time efficient than it's time to decide (commercial) climbing is not for me and I'll stick to platform.

@Merle Nelson , I'm not into spur climbing yet. First I want to focus on tree climbing and pruning. If I get the hang of that, I want to look into tree removal and spur climbing.
I'll look up the book you mentioned. Sound like useful inspiration.

 

[Burrapeg]

. . . In the new year I will buy my own set of climbing gear . . .

I can't add much to what has already been said here by our pro regulars here on the Buzz (priceless advice!) but I want to say that when I was first learning on various borrowed equipment, it was hard because everything seemed a bit different each time and my attention was always on the equipment. It made a HUGE difference when I bought my own saddle and gear and got used to it. Using the setup became second nature and I could then focus on the climbing and the particular tree (every tree is a difference adventure!). Also once I knew my own gear and trusted it completely, I felt so much safer at height. Later, with experience, I added other elements to the setup so I was more versatile, like finally getting comfortable with both single and double rope techniques to suit different trees and different positioning requirements. I climb only for fun so can't speak as a pro, but more than one pro arborist has told me that climbing for fun is the best way to learn, so that the pressure of getting a job done is removed and you can enjoy simply getting used to the gear and the technique. It is also a great advantage if you really love trees and being up in one. My favourite climbing trees have become old friends. I started climbing in my early sixties and am 72 now, so never too late!

 

[Merle Nelson]

Great thoughts. Your point of enjoying the climb hits home. I was up in a tree for the past three days not 200 yards from crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. I only stopped to take in the sights a few times for a total of a few minutes.

Feeling the pressure of getting the job done well and not breaking big windows was on my mind more than usual.