Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

I have gone on with a tree firm as there main climber I have 6 months training and all my tickets I am struggling with work load and end up feeling bad every day .imade it clear I only have a few months training and not that fast but get told I'm going to slow and to get a move on .

in my opinion its their fault...no dirrespect but as a lead climber id like them to have atleast a few years(3+) experience carrying out all climbing work. Make sure you make them aware of this before you do serious damage to yourself by pushing yourself to hard. At the end of the day if you get hurt or 'hit the wall' your losing income due to them pushing you to hard.

6 months is way to little exprience to take on the roll of lead climber.The last thing you want is to be hurried into making a critical mistake.It,s a very dangerous occupation even for those of us with more experience.You may need to rethink your position within the team and have a word with the boss. see if it possible to be 2 climber apprentice or maybe juggle between grounding for a while a do the occasional small to medium tree,gradually working up as you start to feel more comfotable and gain confidence..i,m only thinking of your safety mate...i respect your honesty. Better SAFE,than SORRY.

I think if you have made it clear you are only a beginner then a company probably shouldn`t expect to have you as it`s main climber unless they expect a shoddy job. This is not a bad reflection on you. Be careful you don`t hurt yourself.

IMO, its crazy that they have taken you on as the lead climber with so little experience.

Ah,
This happened to me once.
My first job after college was with a large tree firm near St Malo.
They knew I was fresh out of college but wanted me to be the team leader due to my advanced years har har har.
The climbing they threw my way was just too much too soon plus the lack of decent kit made my life hell for 2 months.
Now I made it all quite clear who and what I was so I sympathise with you if your being pushed beyond your abilities too soon.
However...
It would surprise me if you got the job fresh our of college without a test climb to prove your abilities when so many experienced climbers are out of work.
Ty

Main climber with only six months experience? I think thats pushing it, you'll end up rushing, doing a bad job, breaking something etc. Or worse still breaking yourself. Having said that, if you made them aware of your experience they should give you a bit of time to get up to speed

sounds like a tough deal especially as you told them about the minimum experience that you have, they should not really have taken you on as lead climber maybe as a second climber until you get up to speed. Whats the company your working for?

i have 3 years of forestry experance then trained in climbing and only come back in to the work after being laided off. i climb every day at the moment learning as i go and having to push my comfort zone and get on with it . i did a test climb dead wood a large makkie which i got on fine with. the groundy is there old climber but cant climb any more. 3

This is totally not fair on you . They are taking the piss in all honesty . You have to sit down and explain to your boss the situation . If he has dangled from a rope himself he should have more empathy with you . You are a long time dead ! ! The last thing you need is pressure from below . You take your time ,be safe and if that is not acceptable then ask to be put as second climber until your confidence and experience give you a bit more speed . I have seen this when a youngster is keen to prove himself and puts pressure on himself , expends huge amounts of energy and gets not very far . Relax . Tell em how you feel . Build up slowly . You will be top banana, I know because of your honesty and openness . I would gladly work with you based on what you are saying . It will all come good bud .