Alex S

The core strands of friction cord are pretty much just there to add bulk, not strength; so if you shock load worn friction cord it's more likely to snap, as opposed to a purpose made rope-bridge which has a core with a much higher tensile strength. So you should always use a proper rope bridge, apparently. Which is a bit arse-about-face come to think of it given that friction cord suffers much greater abrasion but is still life-support ? Guess it isn't affected by the same metal-on-rope bend radius that a rope bridge would be? Can anyone elaborate?

The new perspex visor for stein/kask helmets is really good, better than the old ones. It clicks into place when you flip it up or down and doesn't steam up (been using it all winter). Accessorize with a scarf/buff over your mouth and nose to complete your "ninja helicopter pilot" look and keep the sawdust out.

- CS 30, 31, 38 & 39 - Shiny new climbing kit, new PPE, 201t. - 2 1/2 year's experience but very confident with all aspects of climbing including large dismantles, rigging, reductions etc. - Exceptionally polite and well spoken when dealing with customers and clients. - £130 per day, first day £65. - Currently self-employed but would welcome full-time employment. - Available from February 24th but happy to arrange a trial day sooner. - Based in Camden Town but willing to travel up to 1hr. Please don't hesitate to send me a message or give me a call on: 07814 395618 Cheers

So I've been climbing on a Spiderjack for almost a month now and the best metaphor for using it is that it's like playing Mariokart; it appears to be very simple at first - it's easy to pick up, really, really good fun, but the more you do it the more you realise that there are layers and layers of skill to uncover before you've really mastered it. Anyone else agree?

Haha, you Scots love a bit of whizz with your buckfast and gabber techno.

Yeah, weed can be as bad if not worse than alcohol IMO because people don't think it affects them the day after. Or they think it doesn't affect them on the day because they're so used to being stoned all the time. And don't get me started on the psychological effects, the stuff that's around today is incredibly strong and often laced with stimulants. Definitely not safer than alcohol, especially for someone who already has a disposition to psychological disorders.

Alcohol is a drug too, a particularly strong one at that, the one that has the biggest detrimental effect on society. Just go to A and E on a Saturday night for the evidence. Drugs should be used, not abused, responsibly and in moderation, for recreational purposes only, and if done so nobody is in any danger on Monday morning. Personally I like a couple of ales in the evening, but maybe 3 or 4 times a year I enjoy a weekend of ecstasy and hallucinogens with good friends and good music and I have a wonderful time. In no way does it impair my ability to get up at 5am monday to friday and turn up for work alert and ready for action. Just thought someone should represent the other side of the debate. Although I have to add that being even slightly intoxicated at work, doing what we do, is completely unacceptable.

-Based in Melton Mowbray, own transport, willing to travel up to 50 miles. -CS 30, 31, 38, 39. -Full climbing kit and PPE. -201t. -2 years experience, confident with reductions, large take-downs, rigging etc. -£100 per day, first day half-price. -Pack of chocolate digestives brought to every job. -Connifer-bashing willingly undertaken at no extra charge. I could write a few words about being a thorough, hard working team player blah blah blah...but actions speak louder than words so if you're interested please don't hesitate to contact me via private message or telephone. Thanks, Alex Sinnott 07814 395618

Looks like the Hitchclimber will stay around for a while then, not that it was ever destined to become obsolete

Maybe it's because I'm a newbie but I've been reading this thread with bemusement. Generally speaking (every climb is different) I go as high as I believe to be safe, anchor onto the main stem, and work the whole tree from there. I use a chokable cambium saver around the main stem down to a thickness of 3" - 8" (depending on species, height, condition etc.) with a branch underneath as thin as 1" to stop it slipping down. Because the cambium saver is choked around the stem, the branch is pretty much unnecessary. For co-dominant stems I anchor onto the thickest and then swing out to work the other(s) from there. If there is included bark/decay I use a redirect to make a triangulated anchor point. Do you guys regularly anchor onto actual branches during a work climb? I can understand doing it when working in awkward trees with a large, spreading crown but why would you do it otherwise?

Wow, this thread has really snowballed, it's been very helpful though. To answer a few questions then: I'm based in Warwickshire so can't expect as much as someone in London/SE England. Might be moving to London/Kent/Surrey in the summer though... I am gaining a lot of valuable knowledge and expertise but feel I could be learning more elsewhere. The other day I had to explain the principle of mechanical advantage to the boss...and he's been rigging for 16 years! No, I don't get paid cash, it goes straight to my bank account, several days late, after a series of increasingly blunt reminders! I survive by cooking all my meals from scratch, bringing a packed lunch, and avoiding pubs (with varying degrees of success).

Aye, there's the rub, I'm learning a lot and getting faster every day. I'm also learning exactly what not to do..

Yes, I could stack shelves in Asda but I'd hate my life, go insane, and murder all my colleagues! I love tree work and maybe that's why in the beginning I was willing to take anything I could get and be paid a pittance for it. And yes it amazes me too how little I charge (I used to charge £25 per hour teaching kids to skate!) but my living costs aren't too high - my flat is an absolute bargain to rent, which is lucky.

Thanks everyone, plenty of food for thought. I currently rent a place with my girlfriend so living costs are higher than if I was still living with parents. My little astravan sometimes gets used for small jobs/carrying tools as well, yet another thing to factor in...