Mark Bolam
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Everything posted by Mark Bolam
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I could almost smell the middle! Top stuff.
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How many trees in total Steve? Having a small dingy available would be handy to. And a winch.... Look forward to the vids.
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Spliced eyes are like bog roll. You don't actually need one. But they sure do make life smoother and more pleasant.
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Love it. This thread is a true inspiration.
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You have missed a great opportunity for a 'jump the wall' stunt fell with the conny, you heathen. And I bet wee Gloria was running while you were up there and you were having some target practice! Reduction looks good mate. I'm impressed.
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I could with a bit of training. Not. Dan Osman. Unreal.
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Thats cheating Deano. The second line is invisible. And my dwarf idea is much more fun. I like it a lot.
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Bottle jack in the far side of the gob. Pumped in a frenzy by a dwarf you borrowed from Mick at the weekend.
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My mistake Rupe. Duff information from a mate who is never wrong. Yeah right. You get the idea though. None of this gives you the mental skills required to be a great climber, so its a moot point really. I still reckon it's a bit of both. Mind you.... What's the name of that crazy American freestyle rock climber (I think he's dead?) who literally sprinted hundreds of feet up a sheer face? No way you could make that kind of talent/cojones!
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Like it Nick, but I reckon Deano has suckered us all. His team were ERECTING a Birch, and Luke filmed it backwards.
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There aren't any covering them here, are there? The main reason for not one-handing for me isn't safety. It's 'cos it ruins your elbows! Josh will know that by the time he has got some hair on his genitals.
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Big fat bit of hinge left towards camera, nowt on far side?
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Tight. Bet you didn't flop the other one though!
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One of my mates is really good with a saw, but literally freezes on a stepladder. He could never be made into a great climber. On the other hand I'm many times better than I was through practice, but just know I would never have achieved 'great' climber status no matter what. I think like in most walks of life to be 'great' you need to be born with the right qualities mentally and physically, than push them even further with training. On the 'square' front Huck, I'm 5'9" with a span of 6'1". I might start walking on one hand so I look taller!
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75mm and 83mm here = 0.90. I think Rich's idea about ape index has more relevance, though. Sit down on the floor, stretch out your legs straight. Now stretch out your fingertips and see if you have a positive (fingertips further out than toes) or negative (fingertips further in than toes) ape index. In inches, I'm about a +4. Rich will be about +24!
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From what my mate said, H&S hadn't figured too highly in the game plan. Over a dozen medium sized trees hung up, not a gob in sight, attempting to fell another tree under a hung up one? I'd love to know the full story. Or maybe I wouldn't. I'm off to bed. I'll try not to have nightmares.
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Thats the way mate. That good karma will come back round!
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Nowt down here yet. Bloody tragic whatever happened.
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Beat me to it!
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There is never a good time to do conny hedges! Illegal to disturb nests, so best left if found (certainly with fledglings). Clients are usually sympathetic IME. Half finished jobs are a PITA, but you will always be asked back to finish, and get a good name! Doves are a problem because they nest all year round. Relocation is usually possible when reducing conifers, but remember not to leave the squabs frying in the sun with no cover over them. If nests are accidentally mullered, swift, discreet and merciful despatch is required.
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Older guy with Polish worker apparently. HSE on site muttering about lack of relevant qualifications. Landowner up the creek, looks like.
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Just had my mate on the phone, he's with Urban Search and Rescue (USR) unit in Kent Fire and Rescue Service. They had a shout yesterday to woodland near Meopham where some guys had tried to fell several trees using a back-cut only technique. Dozen plus trees hung up, 18" diameter plus. One not hung up lying on the body of a guy who was apparently kneeling while trying to cut straight through another one. 8-hour winchathon to make the site safe and recover the body. Hope the landowner is chuffed he saved a few quid.
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Loving the sun-visor on your lid Josh. Tut tut! Looks awesome mate.
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Bit of both IMO.
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My view based purely on climbing, not business etc. - You can either do it or you can't. Doesn't matter if you are 20 or 50. What is clear to me though is if you start early you will have a longer career, commercial climbing that is. Some great points made throughout this thread, fellas. Well done for kicking it off Mike. FTR I started climbing 7 years ago after 10 years climbing telecomms towers (I'm 41). Whilst I still do most of the climbing for my own business, I couldn't climb as a subby day in day out any more like I used to. I'm sure there are guys older than me who could, though! Employment wise 'old heads on young shoulders' springs to mind. Good luck to all climbers out there, young, old and ancient. Stay safe.
