Stoatally

Million dollar question: Qualifications or experience? One week doing c38 or a week dragging brash? My annual leave is important so I don't want to waste it, especially if I'm having to sacrifice spending time with my wife Hopefully paying for my own tickets will also show a level of willing to people I talk to about work. Just need to finalise shopping lists. Climbing gear and some better saws. Need a top handle and a mid range saw. I only have a homeowner 135 at the mo. I like the look of the tree kit first aid course. Wondering if I could persuade swmbo to let me have another day pass to go to Bournemouth.

Still looking but currently only available for weekends and evenings if anyone wants any help. Looking for weekdays later in the year, unless anyone wants to take me on full time email stoatally2 at gmail dot com

Thanks Gray git! It may come to the point in not too distant future where I jack work and look for groundy work properly. I've got 38/39 booked for next month. Might try and find an arb first aid course while I'm waiting.

Tell me about it! I've managed to get 1 day's experience so far in the last 9 months. Admittedly I work full time so its difficult to be available, but happy to work evenings and weekends to get the experience.

Recce would be awesome!

The 11 mm is from a climbing wall. The 13 mm is from someone on here.

So I need climbing rope I've got some 13mm and old 11 climbing wall rope Prusik loops - wil order a couple of meters of 8 and 10mm Harness - on its way Carabiners - I have some screw gate for now That should get me up and down? Need a helmet? Can I then rock off to the local playing field and climb trees? Then what?

SO. I've had a couple of interviews. One was promising but just not viable as travel was too far away to make it work every day. One was for a big firm in utility, wasn't successful but they're going to keep me on the books for bit. There's the possibility of redundancy coming up at work so I've applied. Would mean enough money to cover bills for a while, get a truck and some kit to start subbing and look to get experience. I find out later this month. In the meantime I've signed up for a Level 2 cert in Arb with the HCC. I'm going to start that this week. I've signed up for self funded 38/39/40 in the middle of May. Looking to get some climbing kit together to start learning the ropes (pun intended). It's courses and kit or a pick up, and I can't see myself getting much work experience just by having a truck. I'm going to try and find out from the last interview whether it was tickets or experience that let me down, or both. I can fix one easily enough, and then hopefully that will get me more weekend work for experience.

Climbing rope - 11 or 13 mm or is it just a matter of personal preference? What size friction cord for prusik? 8mm prusik for 11mm climbing and 10mm prusik for 13mm climbing? Or will one size do both? I need to order a few bits. What's the absolute must haves? I have been looking earlier today - I saw Gustharts do some ready made kits from £33

I've been going through some stuff I bought the other day - a box of climbing gear from eBay. There's a brand new 100m roll of Tendon 7mm accessory cord. Is it any use? Also, I take it that screw gate carabiners don't seem to be used in arb? only 3 way?

I'm sure you've all seen this, but thought I'd share in case anyone is interested Last year Westonbirt felled a giant redwood and they have a piece of trunk 6.5m long by 16 tapering to 1.6m diameter. They're looking to commission one artist to create a carving for treefest 2016 and to then be displayed by the new tree team equipment shed. More information here

Sounds eminently sensible. I've so far got a harness, rope and some crabs. Guess I need some friction cord. Would it be worth getting an eye to eye or split tail? Would it be sensible to look at a hitch climber? From what I understand they make the use of a standard friction hitch easier.

Currently it's not for work at all. We moved out to the country and I'm replacing an old Honda civic with something more suitable. I'd like 4x4 for winter and general off road stuff. Pick up to collect firewood and general carting of crap. In the future I'm looking to start doing some work as a subby groundie, maybe stuff for my self, matte nance, gardening etc so sees like a good idea. Had a little bit of cash appear so looking for a bit of a useful toy for now that will hopefully become more useful in the future

That's what I was thinking. Does that mean it's just a money pit though. I miss having availability of a decent shed and all my old kit to keep it running.

Cheers Bob The hiluxes I've looked at have been proper tatty but still after good money. L200 sounded rattly and wasn't sure of its history. Off to see a ranger in a minute. I'm fairly handy with a spanner so more tempted with the Landy. For the money I'd save I could possibly afford to get a defender 200tdi engine put in in it and buy a reasonable welder

Some one please stop me buying this I'm really torn, part of me is really very tempted but then the sensible side reminds me I'm mental. https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/222048346212

Exactly. I'm happy learning techniques, knots etc. I know a few of them already and I'm learning some more. It was more a question of why people don't learn or start on newer techniques. I am also spending hours on youtube watching different stuff. I've found climbing arborist on there, any other recommended channels / sites etc?

I read the whole of this thread last night. A couple of things I thought: It would be good if there was some kind of stickied kit list for newbies like me who are looking to get started. I'd rather know what I'm looking for and build my own kit so I can get used to it and have stuff to practice with. There could be DRT and SRT kit lists - basic get you going lists and then add on lists I was also wondering why it seems everyone is so against new climbers going for more advanced techniques, SRT and fancy gear and gadgets? Does it nor make more sense to take advantage of what's available now straight from the start? I understand that the basic techniques need to be understood, but can't see why starting with a mechanical device is frowned upon (say starting with a zigzag instead of a prussic). Surely there's an argument its safer as you cant tie a zigzag wrongly? Anyway, it was an interesting read and I am trying to get a kit list together of what basic stuff, but also some more advanced kit together. What recommendations are there for a new climber. Also, once I've got some stuff, what are the 'rules' on recreational climbing? Can I just rock up to a local park or field etc. and start swinging through the trees? Anyone near Bristol know of anywhere that I could go?

Nice :-)

That's the plan. I've wanted one for ages. I'm mechanically competent and qualified and know a few places for parts and advice. I think I going Ranger or L200. Hiluxes have all been knackered or really over priced

I reckon I'll be getting one of those, along with the petrol mower that's also in on Monday

I think Capel were talking about offering a level 3 distance learning, may be worth getting touch with them

Love my bikes. Not ridden much lately but keen to get out now the weather is looking better and the summer bike can come out

Number sent Will What's everyone think of the Navara? Seems to lots about - is there a good reason for that?