Starting out climbing when your older.

[Dean Lofthouse]

If were talking about just climbing then I'd agree, young un's would be better.

 

But there's a whole lot more to taking down or pruning a tree than just climbing it.

 

What does a tree climber do......climb the tree, get to the top then sit there with his arms folded ?

 

Climbing the tree is about 5% of the skills needed imo I think common sense makes up more of a percentage than being a good climber does

[dannyT]

started climbing when i was 28, now 30. Just starting to feel like things are "clicking" into place.

 

I climb most days. I do ache after a hard climb but no more than a "young gun" would. Tree work keeps you in good shape and if anything i think it may help keep you supple and stamina levels at an optimum.

 

Most people can be trained to climb trees but to work in them takes time, strength and natural ability. To be honest i think that somebody who enters this game a little later will have a more mature "head" on them and more general working experience.

[Stephen Blair]

Tree work keeps you in good shape and if anything i think it may help keep you supple and stamina levels at an optimum.

 

.

 

If you stretch, work ergonomically and dont do anything you shouldnt then this may br possible, but grafting and working to the limits put a lot of stress on your body, it doesnt happen overnight but over the years your toes can be harder to touch, your back can get stiffer, white finger kicks in and tennis elbow is never far behind, it can be dulled with pain killers and osteopaths but it doesnt go away, look after yourself and do some extra training and dont stretch to far with a top handle or lift too many huge bits of wood out of bushes and onto trucks and mogs. Oh and keep up with the newer climbing techniques:thumbup1:

[Mike Hill]

started climbing when i was 28, now 30. Just starting to feel like things are "clicking" into place.

 

I climb most days. I do ache after a hard climb but no more than a "young gun" would. .

 

You have never been a young climber.So mate how would you know?

 

There is a "keeness" that young climbers have,that older guys do not.Its the eagerness to go out and prove themselves.Right or wrong climbers are risk takers,the younger the bloke the bigger the risk he will except.

 

Its all very well climbing by the book,thats how you begin to learn.Young guys take the rules and bend them till they begin to splinter.

[Albedo]

My ballet post was just a thread bumper (although I thought it was funny) as I wanted this issue to get the discussion its now getting and there had been no posts since 9 oclock last night. Great to get all the different view points that only arbtalk can do:thumbup1:

[Albedo]

.... it doesnt happen overnight but over the years your toes can be harder to touch, your back can get stiffer, white finger kicks in and tennis elbow is never far behind, it can be dulled with pain killers and osteopaths but it doesnt go away, look after yourself and do some extra training and dont stretch to far with a top handle or lift too many huge bits of wood out of bushes and onto trucks and mogs. Oh and keep up with the newer climbing techniques:thumbup1:

 

Steve, after tennis elbow, comes tennis shoulder, this hurts even more:001_smile:

[Mike Hill]

Weight training builds Muscle that helps support joints.

I have weight trained for about ten years,with the odd two or three months off here and there.

My aches come from a few injuries.One was sustained at 17 years old,the other a few years ago.

 

People generally want to get into this trade as a climber.Sure there are plently of highly skilled groundstaff around,the best of whom were generally very good climbers.

 

I think that training organisations are selling a myth to older people.Unfortunatly is a myth easily beleived by them.

[Mick Stockbridge]

My ballet post was just a thread bumper (although I thought it was funny) as I wanted this issue to get the discussion its now getting and there had been no posts since 9 oclock last night. Great to get all the different view points that only arbtalk can do:thumbup1:

 

Thread bumper my arse!!! How d'ya get on climbing in yer tutu?

[ad15]

"Climbing the tree is about 5% of the skills needed imo I think common sense makes up more of a percentage than being a good climber does"

 

i agree with this statement,,, I rock climbed from the age of 12 up until 26,, ALOT.. i then quit.. for reasons that are mine..

 

I've just started climbing trees at the ripe age of 36... I GUARANTEE that if i was climbing trees for a living at 20 then i'd most certainly be dead.. because at that age i was an idiot.... I had no fear would would do anything, jump 95 foot cliffs etc etc..

 

now that i'm older, ok i'm not as fast, but i have common sense, i have life experience, i'm not an idiot and whilst i'm maybe not as fast as you young 20year olds I know i will always climb safe, methodical and professionally

 

now if you want to try and tell me that i wont ever be a good climber because i'm starting in my 30's then you are making an ill informed judgement based on nothing more than the assumption that as you get older you loose courage as well as speed...

 

maybe we should re visit this topic in 5 years and see where you are and where i am....

[Albedo]

Thread bumper my arse!!! How d'ya get on climbing in yer tutu?

 

You can see right through me Mick.