will.morris

Thanks ...not sure I'll be calling any future bosses a muppet ... arb jobs are hard to come by

Yep I'm one of the first years Cieran ... David Robertsons mate, I sat 2 seats away from you in a blue fox hoody in the library the other day at the computers. Pete was my climbing instructor before he had his heart attack, now I have Michael Lodge, both class! Cheers Jarnii I think that would be of great help to me! Regards to spiking, I am instructed to climb on a strop and spikes, with a line attached to my harness to put in as a top anchor when I reach the top. Some people in my class climb with a running bow line under the strop and move it up as they flick the strop up. Much slower and as far as I'm aware is not done by working arborists (though I could be wrong). Makes it quite nervy when the first branch is 20ft up and your a bit wobbly on spikes but I've been told to just push myself to do it. Rupe thats exactly what I mean. I'd always strop in to use a top handle or if I was going to stay in one position with a silky for a while. Its the actual walking that can get me sometimes, when your 10ft out and you feel that your balancing very nervously but have a way to go yet. Appreciate everyones guidance

I row fine race boats competitively and ergs are an essential part of my fitness training and water technique ... as grueling and horrible as they can be! Very good method for fat burning, as well as leg muscles and core. Don't be afraid to change how you work on them as well ... i.e doing a 40min piece is a very good cardio work out, but burst training like 18x 200 metre sprints with a 30sec interval is torturous but great for power training. A lot of people don't even think about rowing machine technique, I could piss on people twice my fitness who row 'gym style' purly because its not an efficient way to produce power. Arms should be kept fully straight until your legs are flat and only then you should you rock your body over, finishing sat up tall with a strong back. And for the recovery stroke, hands away, body away, THEN your legs, and the recovery stroke should take 3x as long as the drive stroke. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLd_7NA1qkU&feature=related]YouTube - ‪Indoor Rowing Technique‬‏[/ame] And don't fall into the trap of whacking the machine up to resistance 10 ... heavyweight male rowers will have it at 6/7 ... if you can bang out good times on 10 (sub 6mins 20 for a 2k)... then you should be rowing for GB!

Cheers for the response guys. I just wondered if many people did it, I've never seen a tree surgeon doing it whilst I've been working for them so I have pushed myself to do everything off 1 ... which did result in a nasty swing 2 weeks ago but all part of the learning/fun I suppose! Same with spiking, a few people on our course insist on having a running bowline as a back up but I know no-one in the real world uses one so I don't either ... scary in the wind we had yesterday though

Hi. At college we have always been taught to work off 2 anchor points when branch walking I suppose for safety if you do fall off. But I was just after some opinions if this is acceptable in the eyes of an employer. I always just use 1 anchor point for branch walks but have to admit as a novice climber I have had a few scary moments when I've been really far out on branches, especially when they are slippery or just very tricky and I know that my technique would not be as good as someone experienced. Just wondered if an employer would find this acceptable or think I'm taking the pee wasting time. Also would any of you more experienced guys use 2 if it was a particularly big walk?

I switch between using the VT & distel knot on my main climbing line and strop, both with a micro pulley and 10mm prussik.

...can I come and work for you?

Have had mine about a week now ... nice simple bit of kit

I find the leg loops really nice to work in, far less restrictive then having a bar like on the butterfly. Occasionally when you have to put all your weight in it in an upright position I find it raises up which can be uncomfortable. Once you get into a work position though IMO its the best harness I've used.

Rec climbing this evening though ... not unworkable at the moment.

Newcastle is pretty bad at the moment. Supposed to be training all week for a rowing regatta but I can't see it happening if the wind/water was anything like it was today!

Have heard a lot of praise recently about the sip type c's. Might have to give them a go as I need some new ones ... all my mates at college have the hiflex's but they look like they could be ripped by a strong breeze! The oregon ones look pretty decent too.

Petzl Sequoir for me As for basic kit you will need: 1x 13mm climbing rope (i'd go for 35m) 1x Climbing lid 1x Strop with a tension system (or just a prusik) 1x Steel flip line (again with a prusik/system) 1x Set of spikes if your going straight into take down work If your starting out I'd say learn to climb on something basic (split tail/prusik) before you start with stuff like a VT system. So 1x or 2x prusiks/split-tails (only need 1 if you climb on 1 side of the rope but always handy to have spare prusiks for stuff like aerial rescue. At college I was taught to use both ends but when you get more efficient you'll just be able to strop in and re-throw) A selection of krabs ... 5/6 is enough. 1x Mini first aid kit for your harness. 1x Handsaw I THINK that is everything ... hope I hav'nt missed anything obvious .

Can't argue with that! At my old company we did a 2 hour inhouse training which apparently was enough for us to use one ... not quite sure how that would stand up if insurance had to come into play. Pa1 & Pa6 are very useful to have, did mine through the same company, almost enough on its own to walk into a basic grounds maintenance position.

Nasty!!! Did myself in with a silky a few years back ... site first aider was more freaked out by the blood then I was

Out of interest, what kind of percentage of people in the game hold a chipper ticket would people say? I've worked for various arborists and did 3 years using a chipper for a huge company without a ticket for it ... waste of money or do most people get it??

Thanks Andy! Really enjoyed working for you and it gave me a good insight into the real life scenario of arb. Give me a shout if you need an extra hand, I'd be very greatful.

I use a 4 year old TT One ... Never updated it but its always got me to my destination. The battery thing is defo true though, mine has to be plugged in constantly or it will die in a few mins ..... not an issue though really.

Hi. I'm currently doing a course in forestry and arb up in Newcastle (Northumberland College, where the arb fair has just been held last weekend) but will be returning home to Suffolk next month and will be available for employment. Before I came up here I obtained my Cs30 & 31 and worked in landscaping for 3 years, but I have also worked for several highly respectable members on this forum. I have all my own PPE and full climbing kit (minus a top handle). I'm climbing outside of college recreationally between 3/5 times a week at the moment to work on my speed and I will soon be doing my Cs 38 & 39 ... I have been told by my lecturers that I could pass it comfortably at the moment but I'd rather practice a little more and hopefully nail them. Not fussed what the work is, obviously being given the opportunity to climb would be fantastic but I'd equally be grateful just to get work grafting for a climber dragging brash, chipping all day. I'm not out to make mega bucks, I'm a student looking to build up working experience and of course keep the beer funds rolling!... Don't be fooled though I'm 100% reliable and a lover of hard graft Look forward to hearing any responses, thought I'd start looking nice and early. I never discuss payment beforehand, your the pros, get me in the spotlight and tell me what I'm worth to you per day. Regards, Will

At college we use ms261's and husky 346s with 15" bars. I personally profer stihls purly on the basis that I've used them more and am familiar servicing them. When I've worked with people outside of college I've normally been given an ms360, that would be my choice, far more grunt and the weight is not an issue.