Dee MacThomas

Morning all, The weather's warming up nicely, and I've got a few climbing jobs coming up. I've worn a pair of Arbortec arborflex trousers through winter, but I get rather warm in them when the sun's out. So I'm looking for a nice pair of chainsaw shorts. I need the all-round protection for climbing, so they must be type C. Chain speed class is less important. I've worked in New Zealand, so I'm used to short shorts. A chainsaw-protected version of something like Steve Irwin would've worn would be ideal. Your advice would be much-appreciated.

I ordered a pair today. As far as I could see, there's nothing else available that combines chainsaw protection with such high ankle mobility, weatherproofing, and a proper sole. Especially not at the price they're for sale. My only concern is over durability and possibly their having a shorter lifespan than the Pfanners. I'll report back here after the next climbing job.

In what way is the setup not suitable? It was a 9 mm Petzl Volta rope and 6 mm cord for the prussiks that I was using.

Do you use spikes to climb trees in the rain, then? Or do you have other ways of climbing in the rain without spikes? I'd like to be out in all weathers, but not necessarily if it's damaging the trees.

That's the spirit. And then you get the call back next year to deal with the damaged bark and disease.

Thanks Dan. It's hard to find this info when you don't know what to search for. I'll save that 3 knot system for later. My two prussiks method was something taught for getting out of a crevase one mountaineer might've fallen into.

That's what I was thinking, but these other replies have given me a greater understanding of their possible reasons for non-appearance. I like being out in all weathers. Nice truck, by the way.

Do your customers seem to have any difficulty accepting this rescheduling at short notice? Of course, you're not going to risk climbing in dangerous conditions, but if the customer's ok with having their lawn grenaded, chop away!

It really would've been nice to hear this explanation from the two arb crews. From what I heard from the old folks, they just didn't show up/said they can't do it. It is possible that I'm not getting the whole story! I like your work ethic. I'd try to do the same.

Is that the case with all trees, regardless of the thickness of their bark? I wonder if there could be a big Douglas Fir tree or a Chestnut that you could safely dig spikes into. EIther way, I take your point.

They may have had a legitimate excuse, then, if spikes are not standard kit for climbing arborists.

I had my first crack at tree climbing last winter, and, being in no way an experienced arborist, had only my rock climbing skills to apply. I do boulder and sport climb, but it was the trad lead climbing skills that seemed to help with the tree work. I chucked my lightest mountaineering rope up through the highest crotch I could reach, and tied the bitter end off around the base of the tree with a figure of eight and stopper knots, as if I was tieing into my climbing harness. To climb the rope I used two prussik loops. One on a short sling to my belay loop on the harnes, and the other on a long sling in which I stood with one boot. Once I was up in the bit of tree I needed to work on, I used quick-draws and slings to anchor myself in place. I climbed beyond that first crotch and then clipped the rope to higher anchor points using additional slings and quick-draws. It must be clear that I've got no specialist training, but this is the method I came up with for climbing the tree in what I thought was a safe manner. To you experienced climbing arborists, what piece or selection of gear would you resort to climbing and descending a tree with a single rope if all other gear fails or is not available? i.e. what is the most minimal necessary equipment you could safely get away with for climbing a tree?

It's never occured to me that it would be a problem for us Northerners, but last winter my family had two arborists cancel on separate occasions due to the weather; specifically, the rain. The job was to thin out and raise the crown on our 80 ft Eucalyptus. Two days' work for three lads, they said. I've no idea how heavy it was tipping down, but I know that it was just raining and a bit cold. No wind. So, is it normal for tree work to be called off in wet weather? Is it any more dangerous than in the dry? So long as my saw is not submerged in water and I stay comfortable, I'd say I'm alright. I ended up doing the job myself. It was fun applying my rock climbing skills to tree climbing. Some of my techniques might have raised your eyebrows!