Just getting started

[rb_in_va]

Anyone have an idea where I could get started learning to climb? I live in the southeast Virginia area and am interested in getting experience with climbing and the required knots, rigging, gear, etc. I'm not looking to haul an 066 up a tree or anything, just interested in the basics of climbing and climbing safety at the moment. I saw an outfit in Atlanta that offers a basic climbing course and then more advanced courses, but nothing in the SE Virginia area. Eventually (probably years from now) I would like to get into tree care and such, but I need to start somewhere. Any help and guidance would be appreciated. Thanks, Roger.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

Check out the Arbor Master program, you can find them on the web at www.ArborMaster.com or the phone number is 1-860-429-5028. They have 2 day modules on basic climbing, precision felling and rigging to get you started, They may see a little pricey but they are well worth the money, I believe it it better to learn the right way to begin with, and not through the school of hard knocks


Kenn

 

[rb_in_va]

Kenn, thanks for the info. The hard knocks are what I want to avoid. If I could find a climber in my area that needed weekend laborer help I would go for that too. I've hauled and stacked a ton of brush in my time! Later, Roger.

 

[Jumper]

As recommended on other threads in this site, get a copy of the Tree Climber's Companion(Jepson) (see the Sherrill site) . I bought one a few months ago before I got over here, and it has been a true revelation for a ground guy.... I now understand what is going on in the tree a lot better, plus having a few pieces of rope and biners over here has given me something to do at night.

 

[geofore]

getting started

"having a few pieces of rope and biners over here has given me somthing to do at night", Try this for knots & hitches with pics http://www.scoutingresources.org.uk/knots_index.html
That will keep you busy tying with pics of how to.

 

[fmueller]

Another good program is ACRT (www.ACRT.com). Its kinda like the basic arborist boot camp and lasts a week. They have you up in a tree the first afternoon your there. I think the price is alot cheaper than Arbormaster. Of course you probably dont get as much but I found it perfect for just starting out. They are located in Ohio. Good luck!

 

[rb_in_va]

fmueller,

I tried the link and it broke. Actually it looks like the site is as follows: http://www.acrtinc.com/. Thanks for the info! Looks like a great class, but it's in Ohio. Wish it were closer. Later, Roger.

 

[rbtree]

Hey, rb in va! welcome to ya.

I'm Roger in Wa. but i was born in Va, eastern shore near Belle Haven, manyu moons ago...
More tips:
Buy books, get a job with a good company and get hands on learning.

More later, gotta get back to work.

 

[rb_in_va]

rbtree,

That's funny, I was born in WA state, and now I'm on the VA coast!

Later, Roger.

 

[YUKON 659]

10-4....Is that a Roger....Roger!!!!

 

[jmchristopher]

RB, Getting a job with a good company is perhaps the easiert way to get up to speed. Companies would love to get ahold of an eager, attentive body, and would probably bring you up to speed as quickly as you can handle it. Some even help pay for equipment. Plus you get paid to learn! I seem to remember that there's a company called Colonial Tree that operates down that way that was well represented at ISA events.
Good Luck! and be careful!

 

[murphy4trees]

Finding a good company in soth east VA might be a bit of a challenge..
From whjat I saw last year, these guys are 5-10 years back from the evolution here in Philly and we are probably a couple years behind the west coast... Just guessing..
You'll find tautline hitches and shirtless climbers.... one guy told me he likes to scratch up a prune job with his spikes as bad as possible so he can come back for the removal later...

 

[rb_in_va]

Daniel, that sounds like all the more reason to get into the tree business, right?

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Whoa pardner, you don't climb and you're talking about starting a biz? Many reasons not to as well.

As for Daniel's putdown of tautline hitches, hear no evil.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Hey Guy, I work for three people that don't climb. You don't have to be a climber to start a tree biz.

 

[geofore]

just starting

If your computer needs help so you can keep up to the guys on this site try, http://forum.pcmech.com you'll find it as easy to use as this site.

 

[rb_in_va]

Guy, I'm not talking about starting a tree service tomorrow. I mean sometime in the future if it's something I think I might want to make a career of or even just on the side. As for now, I have a full time job that pays the bills.

 

[treeslayer]

Originally posted by murphy4trees
Finding a good company in soth east VA might be a bit of a challenge..
From whjat I saw last year, these guys are 5-10 years back from the evolution here in Philly and we are probably a couple years behind the west coast... Just guessing..
You'll find tautline hitches and shirtless climbers.... one guy told me he likes to scratch up a prune job with his spikes as bad as possible so he can come back for the removal later...

Ouch, Dan, that hurt.
However, as a southeast VA native I know that good companies are rare. however, there are few. lot different up here in No. Va.
When I brought in Treeclimbing Team USA it blew em away.
hacks are everywhere, oh well.

 

[murphy4trees]

You don't have to be a climber to start a tree biz

Ya but you should have seen someone climb a tree at least once right????

 

[TreeJunkie]

Not that i have any intention of going to an overpriced crash coarse by ArborMaster,,,but i've always wondered how much do they charge for one of those 2 day seminars? Anyone here ever been to one?