Beginners climbing guide, hints, tips and general climbing techniques

[Albedo]

I don’t use a cambium saver because I’d rather not climb the tree at the end to go get it when it gets stuck.

 

I have calculated that the friction it saves is not noticed by either me or the tree so I don’t bother with them.

 

Simple is good anchor point, prussic, job done …go home drink beer.

 

My advice to the newbies is to forget all this gear stuff, with the exception of a pulley on your prussic for one handed tending. Gear is not a status symbol, representing how good you are. Having a VT or some mechanical device does not make you a better climber than someone on a prussic.

 

It’s like golf…you can’t buy a good swing, it takes work, practice, effort and experience

 

Concentrate on navigation around the tree to get a good route to do what you need to do. Concentrate 100% …nothing less…on what you are doing. Always be calm and never get annoyed. Think about what could happen all the time…like a fork closing on your foot when you take weight off a branch, or the hundreds of other ways that a tree can bite you.

 

Speed if you have it in you will come on it’s own, you can’t buy it and you can’t force it. Forget about speed and think about safe.

 

Remember the way to stay in one piece is ...SMALL BITS.

 

 

Edit: I forgot. When you're up the tree ...YOU DECIDE... what goes on . As a newbie do not allow yourself to be peer pressured. It will happen and you need to build the confidence quickly to make decisions as to what you can and can't do ...Safely

Edited December 26, 2012 by Albedo

[Frankie Lawrence]

I don’t use a cambium saver because I’d rather not climb the tree at the end to go get it when it gets stuck.

 

I have calculated that the friction it saves is not noticed by either me or the tree so I don’t bother with them.

 

Simple is good anchor point, prussic, job done …go home drink beer.

 

My advice to the newbies is to forget all this gear stuff, with the exception of a pulley on your prussic for one handed tending. Gear is not a status symbol, representing how good you are. Having a VT or some mechanical device does not make you a better climber than someone on a prussic.

 

It’s like golf…you can’t buy a good swing, it takes work, practice, effort and experience

 

Concentrate on navigation around the tree to get a good route to do what you need to do. Concentrate 100% …nothing less…on what you are doing. Always be calm and never get annoyed. Think about what could happen all the time…like a fork closing on your foot when you take weight off a branch, or the hundreds of other ways that a tree can bite you.

 

Speed if you have it in you will come on it’s own, you can’t buy it and you can’t force it. Forget about speed and think about safe.

 

Remember the way to stay in one piece is ...SMALL BITS.

 

Does anyone else not think that this isn't a competition where on about ( well I do this to get paid anyway) people can climb on whatever system works for them aslong as the job gets done and everyone's home in one piece with a wage in there sky rocket what's the issue?

 

I'm all for discussing stuff on an open forum but its Just going round in circles if you don't wanna climb with a cambium saver don't and if you do great doesn't make either one slow or rubbish as long as the job is done on time and safe no one should be judging anyone's tree cutting or climbing skills on what they use as a system...

 

Happy Christmas all

[DrewB]

agreed. but ive seen some pretty bad damage from climbing lines on trees where cambium savers are not used so its not just a speed/technique thing.

[Albedo]

agreed. but ive seen some pretty bad damage from climbing lines on trees where cambium savers are not used so its not just a speed/technique thing.

 

Sorry Drew. Your advice on cambium savers is sound and not exactly gear centric.

 

I started just saying I don't use one, although I know that most do.

 

Maybe it's cos I'm quite skinny and move my anchor around a lot:001_smile:But hate it when it gets stuck on way down...sod the cambium.

 

The rest of my post is no reflection on your comment.

[Adam Bourne]

...sod the cambium.

 

 

That's not the brightest thing you've ever said mate:confused1:

[Albedo]

That's not the brightest thing you've ever said mate:confused1:

 

Don't nitpick Adam, it doesn't become you...all the other stuff I said is far more important. Also you only quoted half my sentence about my light weight and moving the anchor point.

 

If I saw damage at my anchor point I would start to use a cambium saver and risk having to reclimb the tree at the end...I haven't seen it.

 

Bit disapointed in you:thumbdown:

[Adam Bourne]

Don't nitpick Adam, it doesn't become you...all the other stuff I said is far more important. Also you only quoted half my sentence about my light weight and moving the anchor point.

 

If I saw damage at my anchor point I would start to use a cambium saver and risk having to reclimb the tree at the end...I haven't seen it.

 

Bit disapointed in you:thumbdown:

 

Firstly there was no need to go through the rest of your statement as there was nothing in worth replying to!

 

Secondly it's your opinion on cabium savers not mine so why should I disagree just to start another pointless argument? My reply to this was my opinion!

 

Thirdly the thread is not about individuals climbing opinions its about answering question for beginners. Nobody is saying to them go out and buy every peice of equipment going like old mill?

 

And lastly calm down

[Albedo]

Firstly there was no need to go through the rest of your statement as there was nothing in worth replying to!

 

Secondly it's your opinion on cabium savers not mine so why should I disagree just to start another pointless argument? My reply to this was my opinion!

 

Thirdly the thread is not about individuals climbing opinions its about answering question for beginners. Nobody is saying to them go out and buy every peice of equipment going like old mill?

 

And lastly calm down

 

It's up to 107 posts and there's only been 2 questions'

 

We're bored so we're giving each other advice:001_smile:

[Adam Bourne]

It's up to 107 posts and there's only been 2 questions'

 

We're bored so we're giving each other advice:001_smile:

 

Have those 2 questions that have been asked, been answered?

[scotspine1]

Re Cambium savers, I'd just add that for beginners I'd also agree that learning to set one properly and using it is very important, but the original type design to begin before moving on to ropeguide etc. Also retreival from ground with throwline is an important skill to learn (not always needed depending on tree). I've worked for companies who would not let you carry out pruning work in the tree without the use of a cambium saver, it was company policy and there was no debate.

 

pic wrong way round for right handers eh?