Sustinance

[treeman82]

What do you guys do for food and water when you are climbing?

Lately, I have been using my Camelbak for water. It saves from having to call down every time I get thirsty. Usually it will last for 3/4 of the day or rough about there. Then it has to be sent down for a refill.

About a month ago I ate lunch in the tree for the first time. It saved a lot of time, plus I didn't get lathargic like I usually do after eating lunch.

What do you guys do?

 

[MasterBlaster]

I'd like to try the camelback. I put one on, to check it out. It was cool, but I'm thinking the bulge on my back would tend to get in the way. But, I'll probably order one before the next season.

I used to pack a feast for lunch, back in the day. Nowadays, I just take a sandwich. The less I can get away with eating, the more productive I am.

What amazes me about calling for water are the groundhands that don't know how to tie a bottle to a rope. And when it's hot, I rarely drink water. It's Gatoraid, baby! All the way!

 

[rumination]

Originally posted by MasterBlaster

What amazes me about calling for water are the groundhands that don't know how to tie a bottle to a rope.

Yup, I hear ya on that one. I almost hate to ask for water when I'm in the tree. My boss puts the bottle in a plastic shopping bag, clips a biner to the bag handles, and then ties the whole thing to the rope with about 4 or 5 messy half hitches. I must've shown him how to tie a clove hitch and a slip knot about ten times now, but it just doesn't stick. Maybe I should offer him twenty bucks if he learns it.

When I used to do fine live oak pruning in TX in the summertime I would bring a large insulated bottle up in the tree with me and either tie it to the tree or, if I wasn't moving around a lot (ball moss removal), I'd tie it onto my climbing line.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Haha! The $20 thing never panned out. I think I paid two guys, who are now long gone.

It's funny how everyone does it their own way, and half the time, they do it different each time.

The more they frustrate me, the more I charge.

 

[Gord]

i think the easiest way is tell em to tie a slip knot and put the bottle in the loop and pull it real tight however this still seems far too complex for most.

 

[MasterBlaster]

That works only on your tail.

And like you said, they still can't do that.

I had the oil cap come off on me TWICE this week... the old style caps! Of course, all the groundies were agog, and agape.

 

[rborist1]

:Eye:

 

[ORclimber]

Been hot here this summer. Packed around a gallon milk jug with water in it on 3 recent removals. Usually don't move around real fast on removals when roping big limbs. Spend a lot of time waiting on the groundies to clear the drop zone. So packing lots of water not a problem. Ate lunch in 2 trees in the past couple weeks. Most jobs drink or eat between climbs.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Originally posted by rborist1
Butchy,

By the looks of that pic, you have been enjoy a lot of little "Cool Buddies".

Ha! Don't diss me cuz I'm built like an old-school wrestler!

I 'magine I'll slim down real good when I'm dead.

 

[rborist1]

:Eye:

 

[MasterBlaster]

Originally posted by rborist1
I can just see it now, masterblaster the masked assassinn!

Nah, my moniker would be Dr. Destructo. And, I would always have my 'lil medical bag in my corner...

Tha ref wouldn't never see a thang...

 

[treeman82]

Butch, the Camelbak is definately worth the $. I think I spent about $70 on mine a few years ago. Once you put all the additional do-dads into it though, you are probably talking $80 - $90 at the high end. I keep 2 valves on mine, because the bite valve sometimes falls off in the tree. The most important thing though is to get one of the drying racks so that you don't start growing mold in there. You would think that the bulge on your back would get in the way, but really, the unit is pretty durable, and it doesn't get in the way anymore than any other parts of your harness. Plus, with the one I have, you could probably get a carton of cigarettes in there along with a lighter or 10.

I find that a wedge for lunch is ideal because of its size, and its shape. It's a lot easier to tie that onto a rope than it is to tie on a couple pieces of wheat or rye bread.

 

[MasterBlaster]

What's a wedge?

 

[rumination]

Originally posted by treeman82


I find that a wedge for lunch is ideal because of its size, and its shape. It's a lot easier to tie that onto a rope than it is to tie on a couple pieces of wheat or rye bread.

so, which are tastier, plastic or metal wedges? Got any favorite brands? Isn't it harder to fell the tree after you've eaten the wedge?

 

[treeman82]

Wedge. Also known as: hoagie, grinder, sub, hero, etc.

Comes in sizes ranging from 6" - 6'

 

[Dan F]

Not that I've spent all day in a tree before, but I've got a quart Nalgene bottle that I took up with me when I was climbing. It's in a nylon case/holder with a string closure on it. I've got a non-locking 'biner attached to the case, and that got clipped to my saddle.

I think the case is/was made by Outdoor Research. It would be fairly easy to carry two of these with you, but I think a Camelbak would give you a lot more capacity...

As for eating lunch in the tree, I've done it once, over three years ago. But then again, I haven't climbed much in the last three years either.


Dan

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

Originally posted by treeman82
Wedge. Also known as: hoagie, grinder, sub, hero, etc.

Comes in sizes ranging from 6" - 6'

To all english and french speakers a BAGUETTE....

 

[SteveBullman]

start working on the highways tomorrow for 2 weeks.
that means 10inch long bacon and egg baguettes every 5miles

 

[Lumberjack]

My thing is this.

On a typical removal (ie under an hour and a half per tree) with minimal rigging (natural crotches and such) I just drink when i hit the ground. Normally I take in a quart to a half gallon at a time. If its easy removals i might do 2 or 3 trees before i drink.

[rant]My groundies are good enough with the slip knot. One can tie stuff onto my rope with consistancy, the other probably wont be workin for me after this summer (few more days). While he is a good worker, he cannot make definitive calls (such as weither or not the top or log or whatever will fit in the yard, power lines, ect.) and nothing is ever his fault. Yesterday was the first time i have ever cussed at him. He gassed and oiled my 044 in preperation to fell a tree beside a house (tight squeeze for sure, skinned limbs high enought to clear house. I cut the notch, sat down the saw to take a final look at everything, and when i picked it up i noticed that the oil cap was off. I handed it to him and said, "Rinse this off, fill it up, and put it back on where it will do some good." He walks back to my gear trailer and says, "We are outta oil, use another saw." He said it in a smart ass way, and it pissed me off. He was suppose to be at my house that morning at 7:30, but he slept in. He never offered an appology or anything. His days are limited.[/rant]

 

[SteveBullman]

them sound like the signs of a man who dont want to be there to me