I know of a few guys around here that have been chatting here and there about climbing. p61 western Cold Trigger Finger blacksmith Scotty Overkill UncleJoe Barcroftb I figured why not we need a thread to share some cool photos,gear, ideas, experiences and anything else so I’ll start it off. It’s been a while, but I got to do a bit of playing around yesterday
This was the last tree on the job that me and Scotty Overkill had to do. It was a red oak it was a woods tree straight as an arrow. We had to take these 5 tree's down for an older lady and gentlemen because they were fearing of it falling on their newer home. I actually remembered to take my phone up with me to snap a few pictures it was a very nice view. The last picture of Scotty Overkill cutting the top out of a 70' popular.
blacksmith has become a good climber, I'm proud to have him work with me. As any of you guys know, this kind of work is inherently dangerous, and takes a great deal of learning and conquering your own "mental blocks" to become good at it. And no matter how long you do this kind of work, you're always learning and adapting to the job. I got some pics of Joe in the tree today from my vantage point... Flopping a 6' log off the spar....
I got some pics of my first 4 removals on my computer, but the computer isn't cooperating with me right now.
What can I say I've had one heck of a good teacher. I've learned a lot from Scotty Overkill over the years. Before I met him I didn't even know how to fell a tree hahaha! Now I am much more confident and can do quite a bit that most guy's wouldn't attempt, but I still let the real hairy ones that I don't even want to think of attempting up to him. On those I'll do anything he needs pulling and guiding but no cuts for this guy till its on the ground! Hahaha
Nothing wrong with knowing your limits and also important to know all the aspects of the job including the ground work
I'm still fighting this dang computer. It won't let me post any pics right now. Hopefully tomorrow it will work.
I have got a weaver wide back harness and Buckingham spurs. 150 feet of Arbor-plex climbing line, and a 12 foot wire core flip line. Using a Blue Streak tight eye split tail as well.
I really don't have any pics of my gear on my phone..... I've got Buckingham gaffs with monster pads, several hanks of Yale 11mm and 13mm rope, lots of Petzl and DMM caribiners, several sewn loop prusics, an older Buckingham saddle, several Petzl rope grabs, DMM micro pulley, lots of steel clevis and biners, I make all my own fliplines and rope bridges.......and a pile of self-made chokers for ziplining branches when a job allows it....
Bears and wooly buggers carry saws in PA....lol How do you like my man-glitter? Fresh poplar sawchips.....
Check out this collage I made earlier this fall.....that's blacksmith in the tree, flopping a top out of a hemlock.
What set up are you climbing on right now? What do you like or dislike? I'm am using a split tail and a blakes with a tending pulley right now. It doesn't really self tend at all lol. The questions are for anybody reading the thread.
Being most of the stuff we do is total removals, I'm spiking the tree. Two weeks ago we did a big sugar maple, I used the SRT technique, with a Valdotain Tresse (VT) knot tended with my DMM micro pulley. I gotta tell you, the VT knot is the total cats azz, it's highly adjustable, very reliable, and very easy to tend. I do 4 crossover wraps instead of three, makes the bight stronger. You need a longer prusic if you're gonna do extra wraps. Check out the VT technique, it's a great climbing knot!! Next time I'm in the tree I'll set that knot up and demonstrate it if I can.....
Have you tried it with a drt set up? I tried it just practicing in a oak tree and liked it a lot. I will need a longer prusic to do a extra wrap though.
Me , clearing an underground power line right of way in Valdez in a whole bunch of peoples back yards. 30 year old cottonwood . Some 16" dbh and 75' tall . most lots were 1/4 acre or less in size. Sheds built almost against trees . Boats , RVs, snow machines ect parked under them. I did have something of a ground crew tho.