Jason James Gairn

ooh golly! All got a bit out of hand there for a while. Anyone who knows my work knows I am a stickler for safe practices. Anyone who knows me would be surprised by my accident. Accident is an odd word where it could have been avoided, and it could have. I'm OK with the ridicule, I have many years of top climbing work to help with my bruised ego. Some one said that the scar is a sign of failure, and that's true. I love this industry and I would like to see it a safer industry too. The inherent risks are pretty obvious to all of us. How far we push those risks is down to us on the day. I cut a corner because I enjoy working fast. I failed to see that fast doesn't have to mean stupid. I didn't cut with the right hand and hold with the left because I was above the branch, and moving a few feet down would have slowed my momentum. Lazy. Lazy ain't cool. Stupid ain't cool, scars are cool if its a shark bite. We'll never know if my post will prevented anyone from doing the same thing, but I like to think it will. Stay safe you crazy guys. Oh and thanks to all for well wishes.

Yep. That's the situation. No getting away from it.

never seen those before. wow. Great name too.

At the moment Documentary, mostly corporate, occasionally drama. No porn. Wouild like pop promo.

Me and the arm will be there on Thursday. The arm can now lift pint to mouth. Look forward to meeting you guys, don't know how or what most of you look like.

He He. Other Work is film directing and photography. Us older chaps have to nurture new ways of making a living in our 40's. I can't be a groundsman, it would turn me to drink and an office job would end with a revolver in the library. Arms running in Africa sounds fun tho. Any one else fancy a go? twiddling thumbs today.

right. got it.

pardon?

Sorry, yes that's what I mean by positive. I hope someone can learn from my misfortune and avoid a similar fate. Most people are pretty experienced on this forum, and I'm sure feel that such a dunderhead mistake isn't going to happen as it's blatantly obvious that it's a mistake. But I've been cutting and chucking since 1984. I'm an experienced and solid climber who got complacent. "Chicks dig scars"? hoofin hope so. Hey! it's good to be back.

Hey all. thanks for kind words and so far lack of ridicule. Long term I think I should be OK as I didn't cut through the tendons. The Surgeon was a dab hand with the stitches. The novelty of a chainsaw injury brought more then the usual attention at A&E. Short term, as usual in these things it is my pride that smarts the most. Especially as I didn't get any pain until the second week. At all. It may well be a message to an old climber writ very large. Much to think about. I will be fully fit by October.

Hello all. I've been away from the forum for a couple of months, but I return with a flourish. Two weeks ago I returned to work after a 2 month period of `other' work. First day with my new treemotion. Semi-mature lime reduction next to Essex police HQ. Like most climbers, I cut and chuck when I need to. I was holding a branch in my right arm and was cutting with the left. I crossed my arms so the saw was below my right arm.. the branch started to go and it pulled my arm down onto the saw as I was cutting. Much blood. Self rescue, first aid and despite being next to the police HQ and being in the center of the county town of Essex, had to wait in excess of 20 mins for an ambulance. Got in the car eventually. I cut through lots of muscle and big veins, but luckily missed the tendons. Despite the ridicule I deserve, for such a retarded move, I think it's important for the error to be public and hopefully serve as a warning. Something positive from this would be good. I cant endorse cutting and chucking obviously, but realistically, there's a good and bad way of doing it. I chose bad. Don’t do this at home kids.

Smart gun? Oxymoron.

ASDA is Wall mart is Evil. Anyone can buy a t-shirt with their own logo. It means you bought a T-shirt. The perception is that it means professional. I understand you are talking about this perception. I think it's a great shame that we have to wear substandard cotton T-shirts, or Cheap fleeces that don't fit for climbing. Having said that I wear some company gear, especially as we have some really good soft shell jackets. I personally only enjoy wearing uniforms at orgies. I have a really shredded Berghaus mid layer which is the best bit of kit I have. it's what i turn up in most mornings. I'm confidant that any misconceptions about my professionality based on my tramp Chic are quickly nipped in the bud when I start talking to the customer. Dress code at clubs is based on the same ridiculous misconceptions about clothing. But I agree that Many customers are ignorant to the point of believing this. Wear what you like but do a lush job.

Anyone got any more great routes? I know most of us dabble in the dark arts. Considering the thread, maybe these should be suitable for a ten year bike monk.

I ride a well worn 15 year old Kona, hard front and back, XT/XTR sets Mavics. There's shedloads of great bikes about on the second hand market. No matter what bike you end up with, ride from the top of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) back down to Llanberis. Out of season of course. Lots of little drop offs and some great free-fall moments. I can't endorse riding off the track but I saw some guys making top use of either side for some great air. A mountain bike that hasn't been up a mountain is a bike. Happy trails.

Oi! check out the spats I've had with just about everyone. We sometimes agree with each other. an many time we don't. Surf them threads for conflict and you'll find loads.

I'm an old dog too. one who tries to keep up with the latest techniques. But IMO that step was a perfectly adequate solution. The pulling rope made it bomb proof. I'd have done the same. Once again though, can't see why they didn't fell it or just chog it down. we'll never know unless it's Mani in the video. That would be an interesting twist. I encourage him to be more forth coming. When did you get out of college Mani?

A tidy site is unfortuantely as has already been said, the most important thing for getting that word of mouth going right. But having avery good horticultural knowledge helps too. Many people with large enough gardens to have trees, are often keen gardeners, so it pays to know your onions (as it were). Having one botanist/plantsman in a team is a bonus.

Im married to an Essex girl and she gets a bit wild at times. Hey we should have a `show us your squeeze' thread like the `rides' one. Or maybe not.

For sure.

Super big hoofin trees as well by all accounts. Big mewps to get to the first branch. And Russian ground staff with no English.

same warning different words.

How did that convert to Sterling? I heard stories of people setting up business with brief cases of cash on their return to blighty.

That's a typical Essex warning. particularly round Southend.

Last night on the A127 near Southend on Sea. 22M mewp in a lightening storm. sorry i dont have many action pics as the sky opened up on us. Finished at 4am. The head torch is a great invention isn't it?