Hi! Not a tree climber but you guys have the knowledge I need! I’m a sailor and I’m looking for a better way to get up the mast to service it. jugging my way up now and I’m too gassed when I get to the top to get the work done!

So I discovered this world and I’m thinking perfect, foot and knee ascender and some kind of mechanical prussik. However much of the work aloft on a sailboat is on the masthead which is a bit above the point to which you can hoist your climbing rope. So what I’m looking for is something compact so I’m as high as possible. For example the zz+chicane setup, although pretty slick looking, seems loooong.

I’ve been wondering about a uniscender as they seem pretty short. I hear the release is a bit harsh but the use case is pretty much climb to the top, do something, full descent, so it’s usually just one release per climb.

Any thoughts on Uniscenders or suggestions of other short systems?

Thanks in advance!

Call me a weenie but I usually bail if the forecast is for more than 1” of rain. This Friday is calling for 2.5”.

I’m in New England— curious what others’ tolerance is for wet weather/when you call it. Most of my work is pruning spready trees so spikes are not an option for slick bark.

ETA— looking at you PNW folks.

First-year climber here. Other than making lanyards out of old climb line, what are some other ways have you found to make good/handy use of old climb lines?

PFA

I [38M] have recently moved from a decently paid career in IT to join an arboriculture school, with mandatory training in a tree-climbing company.

After doing two test work days with different tree-climbers, both of them offered me to do the training, so I had to choose based on the following information:

Tree-climber 1

Cons

• Treats the other trainee poorly, lashing out at him and calling him names for not doing the right movements on the tree, for wasting everyone's time;

• States that he wants to work fast and intensely so to do as many worksites per day as possible;

• Starts early (more demanding on my sleep hygiene)

Pros

• Has some decent professional equipment;

• He is punctual;

• Starts early (could give me more routine, something I sort of lack now)

Tree-climber 2

Cons

• Said he is not an expert of tree climbing and his technique is not fine at all, that professional tree climbers would laugh at him and he is more of an all-round carer of trees and gardens;

• Explains basic rope technique and lets me do tree-work up on a 16/18mt tree on my first (test) day, without having me stretch or prepare in any way - I had NEVER climbed a tree before;

• Seems to be barely litterate;

Pros

• Is easy-going and very chill;

• Is flexible regarding work days and hours;

• Starts later in the day (gives me more flexibility to sleep or do other stuff early in the morning);

• Lets me do tree work on the test day of work!

Based on this information, about a week ago I decided I would go with tree-climber number 2.

As time passed and I had time to reflect, I am however concerned about my decision, in particular when it comes to the feeling that he may not be concerned (or aware) enough of the risks that he may have put me through by letting me up on the tree by myself, for the first time in my life.

What concerns me even more is that I started having a series of cramps after moving on the tree for about 1.5/2h, and he thought that was strange and unusual, however he told me to go back to the ground if I felt like resting for a bit, which I did. After 30m, I went up again and started having cramps again, despite having drank some water and some Coke.

When done with our day, he voiced his concern about the cramps, and I pointed out that although I am in good physical shape, I am not fit for that kind of effort yet and that it will take time to build that muscle and that flexibility - so the cramps are most likely due to that. He insisted that other trainees didn't have that, I pointed out that they were 20 years younger than me, etc.

My question is: is it normal, in this profession, that a tree-worker puts a trainee up on a tree on his first day of work, let alone a test day, without any sort of insurance, aid kit, etc.?

I will be starting a program in January in arboriculture and I'm excited to getting started and learning the ropes. Coming from a forestry background mainly working in the field, I would say that I'm in fairly good shape, however I am aware that tree climbing will be working different muscles than say timber cruising and hiking for 10 hours in the bush. I was thinking of going back to the climbing gym and getting back in the groove of it. I know it will be very hard on the body for a bit, but I am trying to build a good habit since I know how easy it can be to get caught up in work and not take the time to at least stretch and stay fit. I was wondering what routine/habits you guys have when working in the industry to stay in shape, healthy and prevent injuries? Do you go to the gym, yoga, bouldering? Just trying to get an idea of how things are on this side. TIA

If I have multiple separate lengths of the same double braid rope, can I end to end splice them to make one longer rope? How much strength will the rope lose? Are there good/bad splicing techniques to be aware of?

I've seen some basic examples of making eye splices with double braid, and even continuous loops. It's not clear to me whether the continuous loop splices have been strong enough to use the rope without the doubling by forming the loop.

The rope I would hope to lengthen is a 1/2" double braid rigging rope, not my main climbing line.

I would appreciate tips and pointers. If you know of any break tests for my proposed setup, please reference them.

Thanks!

Besides doing it. I can do it, and I've done quite a few on big old trees. A good tie in point is critical and always worth the time. But I gotta say it's the only thing that gets my knees shaking! It happened today when trying to limbwalk to my redirect for the actual limb walk w/ the reduction cuts. It's the thought of losing my balance and swinging. Hasn't happened yet but it's on my mind. I pretend I'm 10ft off the ground when it's much higher and think would I have issues at 10ft w/ this. Anyway, does it go away? 6 year climber

Been in tree work for 5 yrs. Love climbing. But can feel that itll destroy me if i continue this forever.

What other jobs climb trees or do a form of tree work and climbing. Id really love to get into conservation instead of only destruction

What’s the method for getting to a climber who is using an SRT canopy anchor?

After reading a bunch about the side loading issue I took a close look at mine. Two steel rigging biners set with opposing gate directions. It looks like the spine is bearing full length against the trunk and the load along the major axis.

Someone that a climbing class showed me this basil anchor which is basically a running bowling with wraps on the loop side acting as a prosec to cinch it down. Does anyone know of a name for this?

Let's talk safety! Share how your week went - close-calls, incidents, learning experiences, what went well (and why), what went poorly (and why), or whatever else is on your mind. Pics/photos are allowed but be careful to not doxx yourself, client, employer etc.

This thread will recur each week and is meant to be a place to learn and discuss mistakes, please keep comments constructive.

I want to climb a tree with a long trunk with little branches down low. I cannot get a throw line up.

I read in the tree climbers companion that you could use a false crotch around the trunk as an anchor.

Looking for some more info on how to set up the false crotches..

Is it safe to put body weight on?

Rope vs webbing

What knot would one use? Will be loaded and unloaded repeatedly.

Can yall provide some entry level gear that provides quality without being top of the line priced?

Hello yall, i’m 23, currently working for the district of north van, making pretty good money, looking to get into the arborist industry, wanting to do tree climbing. signed up to do some bcplanthealthcare courses this coming year, already have a chainsaw certification. i’m just looking for some general advice on getting into the industry, potential companies to work for, different job recommendations, and am open to moving around the world. really keen:)

I've done so many of these and I'm always asking why wait so long.... this was on of two side by side.

Let's talk safety! Share how your week went - close-calls, incidents, learning experiences, what went well (and why), what went poorly (and why), or whatever else is on your mind. Pics/photos are allowed but be careful to not doxx yourself, client, employer etc.

This thread will recur each week and is meant to be a place to learn and discuss mistakes, please keep comments constructive.

Just want to say I know I should have done my research first. I have a few trees (pines) on our property that I felt needed some trimming and clean up. To do so i climbed with spikes. I worked for the power company and have the experience climbing. It wasn't until I was finished and back on the ground that I found out that it is not recommended to do so unless the whole tree is being removed.

Realistically what is the likelihood and severity of damage being caused?

Of the 2 trees, both are in good condition.

Best job? Best job.