Beginners climbing guide, hints, tips and general climbing techniques

[dsearle]

Did my first mid air prussik today and branch roll on this lovely tree.

[dsearle]

I seem to be a div a and dunno how to add puctures from my phone

[dsearle]

The tree

[MattyF]

Looks a fun tree to climb if you don't mind me adding a couple of constructive comments if your not already aware, anchoring on to lateral side limbs away from the branch Union is increasing the leverage of the limb and not recommended especially on smaller diameter stuff or anchor points , maybe fine on a limb that size but I would not want to get in bad habits , Also you will find prussiking a lot easier and almost effortless in comparison of pulling up through nothing with your feet against the stem which would be possible with the rope closer in.

[dsearle]

Thanks for the response. Oh I know it would of been so much easier if I had put my line closer to the trunk. The point of the exercise though was specifically not to do that so we could practice doing it in mid air and branch rolling. Our teacher thought it was a good exercise to perform should in the real world the situation ever arose. So much harder though! 3 out of 10 lads couldn't get on the limb after prussicking up

[MattyF]

Ahh I see.... that's a bit sadistic hey?! I suppose its getting people fitter and sharpening up techniques

[dsearle]

You thought I was being sarcastic? I wasn't if you did. Yeah I suppose, just testing us really. lovely tree to climb once you are in it though, big branches, lots of room to maneuver

[Joe Newton]

He said sadistic, not sarcastic

[dsearle]

Haha, Oh that makes sense. Was good fun and great practice though

[Marc]

Haha, Oh that makes sense. Was good fun and great practice though

 

I was just thinking about this yesterday and discussing it at work, again I am amazed as to why to hell you would want to do that, and why it would be actively taught. Is teaching still so archaic?

 

It is something I would never do or actively encourage, climbing should not be difficult and be as efficient as possible if you want a long and productive career.

 

I hope you do not think I am being harsh, you just need to be approaching everything looking for the easiest most efficient way to tackle canopy access and work positioning. We need to be training guys to look after their bodies so they can be productive arborist.

At the end of day physical strength is not what you need to do this job it's technique which only come with time served and learning from other with good understanding of how to efficiently work the crown.