ChrisG

Cheers everyone, Some useful stuff there. To clarify a bit, I want to increase my experience but not by learning bad habits. Also want to do 40/41 next year and the course criterias state you must be an experienced climber, so don't want to sign upto something that is going to cost me a fortune to find out I am out of my depth. I have learned loads by just chucking myself into it and cracking on, but am sensible enough to know when to say no to jobs that may pay well, but are beyond my capabilities. I have done a bit of survey work and aerial, bat stuff which broadens the horizons a bit, but I just really enjoy the practical stuff on the saws. Thanks again, Chris

Just be good to get some peoples points of view on this. Having completed upto 39 and a few other tickets such as chipper PA 1&6, amongst other certs I feel I have gained a lot of ground experience over 5 years, but being new to climbing, I was wondering how other people have got on building up experience and how they have gone about it? I have done a few jobs freelance and feel they have gone well, but trying to break through into the industry is a challenge! Even offering free labour in exchange for a bit of knowledge I just seem to be hitting brick walls. I have turned doen a lot of work as I don't want to do a bad job but thej I see what some other (so called) Arborists have done and think GOD, I could do a lot better. A few people have said just bite the bullet and get on with it, but wanting to do things properly is my philosophy! I don't expect to get a full time, pro climber job, but there just seems to be a big lack of opportunities out there for people wanting to do things right and learn properly. Sorry for the long post and any views appreciated

Anybody else read this? I picked up a copy from treesource at the APF show and thikn it is really useful. Highly recommended!

5m Yale 13mm, with 8mm Marlow French prussik using Petzl micro pulley, attached to ISC Krabs. Works for me!

Cheers gents, Looks like it's a 200T

Going to purchase a second hand top handle saw and am thinking of these models. Any hints, tips or opinions appreciated. Cheers

Got a couple of days spare at the end of the month if anybody has anything going

Got a couple of days spare at the end of the month if anybody has anything going

Got a couple of days spare at the end of the month if anybody has anything going

Cheers Albedo and thanks to those have been in touch. Will keep plugging away and hopefully something will come up, I am not expecting it to be easy, but it's looking like a bit of travelling may be in order. Head down, crack on and keep at it!!

CS 30,31,32,38,39, chipper ticket, Cat B&E driving license (no points), PA1&6, Lantra strimmer/brushcutter award, NCFE hedgelaying certs, loads of ground experience, new to climbing but hard worker and fast learner. Fdsc in Ecology and Conservation Management including a year of Tree and Woodland Management studied at Myerscough. Licensed bat worker for surveys/watching brief work. Done Tree Hazard Evaluation course, first aid, surveying experience. Own climbing kit (Loler passed), ground saws and PPE. Based in Cheshire. PM me for more info and quals. Can provide refferences. Cheers

Rob, Would it be ok if I forward you what dates I am available over the next month or so? This one is a bit short notice, otherwise I would have been up for it,. Cheers, Chris.

How much experience do you need to do this? I have only passed my CS38/39 in the past couple of months.

Cheers gents, Desertrat, I surveyed some cavities for bats on a big Acer recently and it absolutely chucked it down when I was up there. Climbing in the wet is a cmpletely different experience lol, frighteningly slippy, but I learnt from it.

Passed my 39 this week, probably the best NPTC course I have done, really enjoyed it. Great location, learnt loads and it has given me a thirst for learning more. Hats off to Myerscough colleges Arb lads!

Done most of my tickets through Myerscough mate, They have CS38 soon and 39 a bit further down the line, but it's worth giving them a call to see if they can get you sorted Short Course Details. Clicky linky

Cheers gents, I do a bit on the side, but am a bit scared to take the plunge and set up on my own. Some of the jobs I have done I do look back at and think maybe I should have done that a bit differently, especially after lerning how to do things right on the courses, but we all have to start somewhere eh! I just like to do things right and would like to learn proper techniques, but am finding it a challenge to get in with the right outfits. I wont give up though! Once CS39 is done, I am thinking of doing the UA courses as there seems to be quite a bit of work out there.

Been using one for a couple of weeks and half the time I forget it's there. Great helmet in my opinion.

I am looking to build up my experience with a view to one day gaining employment in the Arb industry, as a result, I am offering free labour in exchange for a refference/industry experience. 33 years old, reliable, honest, hard grafter, good sense of humour. Am happy dragging, stacking, chipping, shifting, cutting, spraying, you name it. Studied at Myerscough where I gained a Foundation Degree in Ecology and Conservation Management, this included a year studying tree and woodland management with the Arb degree lads. Got CS30, 31, 32, 38 and am doing 39 next month. Chipper ticket, PA1,6. Loads of ground experience, Lantra strimmer/brushcutter award, Cat B&E driving license (trailor towing). Advanced working at height cert, first aid cert, Own saw, PPE, climbing kit (LOLER ceritified). I am also a Natural England, licensed bat worker. so if anybody needs any aerial bat surveys, give me a shout. Work aroud the Cheshire/Merseyside/Lancashire area would be great, but again, I am flexible. Ideally, I would like to build up my climbing experience, but will consider anything. Thanks for looking and if you need any more info, or can offer me anything, drop me a PM. Cheers

Learn the assesment schedule like the back of your hand, your tutor should give you all the information you need. Emphasise on risk assesment and working at height regs/LOLER basics. Know your rescue techniques and just enjoy the climbing. Best advice I had was, take your time and remember, you CAN climb. Passed mine last week and it was really enjoyable, but I get myself worked up about assesments which doesn't help me on the day lol. Best of luck. Chris.

I am in Thelwall mate, just south of Warrington.

Thanks to everyone for the hints and tips on knots, techniques etc, it was all really usefull. Passed yesterday and really enjoyed the course, now it's time to start really learning how to climb! Anybody do any practice climbs in Cheshire?

Third day into CS38 on one of these and nearly lost the family jewels on a couple of occasions! It felt great when I tried it on against the others in the shop, but now it's been used on a few occasions I am stuck with it. Ended up in a Komet Butterfly and my climbing changed dramatically! Wish you could test harnesses on trees before buying em, grrrrrrrrrrrr. Anybody else have this problem with Skylotec?

Very reassuring guys, cheers. I have been told it wouldn't take me as long if I stopped thinking about things, but am just concernec about not clipping in that all important karab and dropping out of the tree! Sure confidence and technique will improve as the week goes on. Thanks again.

2nd day in, my arms are on fire, I climbed/branch walked a couple of huge (to me) Oaks today, but feel it took me a while and am now paranoid about taking too long on assesment. How long have you guys taken/how long are you usually allowed for assesment? Had 1 person drop out today as they just couldn't hack it and he was younger than me but better built for the task? so think I should be ok. PHD student in Arb who dropped out as well, so I thought he would fly it, maybe a bit to long in front of the PC eh? Loving every minute of it though, just a bit paranoid that I will be expexted to be up the top anchor point like a ferret!