Mr. Squirrel
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Everything posted by Mr. Squirrel
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Problem there is there aren't any truly remote areas in the uk... sure they've done it in some national parks in the states, but those parks alone are probably the size of Scotland. Won't happen.
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Too true, I think any tree surgeon worth his salt can probably cobble together something like good sewing. As for cleaning, brush, shovel, blower. Easy, no? I am good at doing a huge pan of spaghetti, turning it into chilli the next day and then having burritos for a couple days afterwards. Also do a man shepherds pie, Thai curry and a perfect steak. Meat and potatoes are definitely the most important part of any diet... for me.
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+2 for throw line. Would never leave my rope on the job over night.
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Agree on all points. It's knowing when you're not just a wee bit nervous and when it's a legitimate concern though I suppose. I remember subbing for a guy, being sent to a big oak. Half the crown had broken out at the first fork and there was a big split right down to the ground. The wind was howling and I was quite happy to walk away from that till a calmer day. Two days before I finished a contract for him while getting pulled off branches and thrown about by the wind, so I think it was fairly clear that my internal danger barometer wasn't set to 'pansy'. Moving root plate, water logged soil & wind seems a legitimate reason to walk, but principals won't pay the bills sadly...
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I use a ~5m strop, too long most of the time but for the odd bit of tricky positioning in single line mode it's well worth it.
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If the van's cold too I stuff my gloves down my trousers while I'm getting a line set, sorting out the site etc Maintains their warmth till I'm climbing and gives me a chance for some sneaky male private exercises... or just to creep people out.
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My circulation is pretty pants too, I've used the showa thermal gives and had some success so long as I've a dry pair spare. Generally I just spend winter climbing bare handed with a pile of frozen gloves in the van though. Which I find a little miserable. Will have to try out some of these ideas.
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I was just looking at the protos after reading this thread, and not to be a nit picker but it actually appears to be rated at 26db. I'm still stunned that for all that incredible impact protection, which will hopefully never need to be depended upon; the hearing protection, which definitely will be, is inadequate. Where's the sense in that
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The joy of being a freelance/contract climber.
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I dunno, freelancing I worked for a lot of guys in arb who's idea of a good sharp chain was terrible. All the foresters I've worked with seemed to regard it as of the highest importance and it definitely shows.
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Pixa lights are decent, not ridiculously bright but more than enough to work by when called for, alright battery life and they're very durable. For the money I doubt they can be beat.
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That's pretty creepy. Seems a break in is inevitable at some point though, where does the law stand on booby traps?
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Aye, pretty much as max says. I used to average three months working followed by a month of travel/holiday time. I spent most of that time trekking/rock climbing so didn't lose too much fitness but the first morning back at it was always a little intimidating. As soon as all the nonsense on the ground was sorted and I got back up a tree it was bliss though. I wouldn't say my ability ever really suffered, and you won't forget 3 years of experience in 6 weeks so don't sweat it. Be straight with them by all means but holiday or not you're flying to the other side of the world, it's understandable if it takes some time to settle in, let alone the jet lag...
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Sounds like a dedicated employee to me. If I'd had the cost of a saw, blower, flip line and chipper repair taken from my wages, and THEN my employer started accusing me of gross negligence and calling me dopey on a public internet forum it'd take a great deal of restraint not throw the rest if his kit in the chipper and find a new job. It's a pain in the ass, sure, but there are appropriate ways to publicly ridicule your boys, don't ya know? Interesting pictures though. How long did it take you to pick all that it of the chip?
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Give it time, I had a shoulder op two months ago and definitely know the feeling. I'm still not allowed to lift the kettle with my right arm and won't be climbing again until April, best thing you can do is just take it easy and make sure it heals properly first time. I never want to see another tv once I'm done with this recovery! All the best with it though, hope it goes well for you!
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Very curious as to how you hit yourself in the face with an axe? Drunken wood chopping is a roulette for sure, that first pic is brilliant though!
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That's another plus of 11.7mm rope, it works great with a knot but also works well with mechanical devices, if you go down that route later. A good compromise between the rope performance you get from an 11mm and the easy grip of a 13mm.
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This! I only wear chainsaw gear when it's needed, and will happily change out of/into it during the day. Only takes 2 minutes, and who wants to climb in cutting trousers and boots when you aren't using a chainsaw? I also swear by pfanner kevlar extreme trousers. My first pair lasted me 4 years on the job, nothing else comes close.
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Totally agree with Mr Shutler, I've seen broken pantin bodies, straps and buckles wearing and snapping in a very short time, bad springs. Not a quality product I wouldn't say. You can also get the ct without the locking lever, which would be my choice as I've never had big issues with the rope skipping out. This is all hypothetical though as I began collecting the old style pantins and spare straps as soon as I tried a new one...
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I dunno, the camp one looks a bit too snazzy to me. I mean those wee rollers are virtually useless and will only add bulk. Never used the ct foot ascenders but never heard anything terrible about them.
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Someone gave me pine scented soap for Christmas a couple of years ago. Doesn't really make sense, if I wanted to smell like trees all the time I'd just never wash? I blame these 'lumber sexuals' for the unavailability of gransfors bruks axes...
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I'd go with that. Perhaps a beer if they've passed on a fair bit of work, but I wouldn't fork out a 'finders fee' for them passing on jobs they weren't able to do themselves...
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Cold Pasta - does anybody eat it?
Mr. Squirrel replied to ArthurBottlesworth's topic in General chat
Aye, cold pasta salad is tasty like, it'll certainly do you no harm. Some picky eaters here... -
Love it, retrieves pretty well even when choked on a straight stem. Had a teufelberger pulley saver and two home made pulley savers before I got the ART one, that sneaky release lever is a game changer. You definitely won't regret getting one...
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Throw line and throw weights and techniques
Mr. Squirrel replied to Adam Bourne's topic in Climbers talk
I used a big shot a few times but found I could throw higher with comparable accuracy. I needed shoulder surgery shortly afterwards though... With regards to getting an anchor in another tree I use a purpose made throwing hook on a 15m rope and a micro traxion. A prussik works too of course but the micro traxion is super quick to set up and lets you take in slack on that with the pantin while releasing on your climbing system for a really smooth and speedy transition.
