Teaching a new climber

[Stumper]

Er... Nathan, shouldn't that be LOW and SLOW?

 

[taznleo1]

I know, that is what I like about this site, the joshin' between the users.
I've had many guys work with me as groundsman and wanted to give climbing a try. And I haven't had one stick to climbing yet. I even had one guy some how put a tree spike in his hand. He wasn't about 15 feet off of the ground and he started yelling, I looked up and his hand was down by his feet and the spike was sticking though the skin between the thumb and pointy finger. To say the least, he hasn't ask to work with me again. Not even as a groundsman.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Spurring their hand?

That's a first for me!

 

[NebClimber]

I am replying to the original message submitted in this thread in which it was suggested a new climber should have to learn the old school methods first.

WHY, WHY, WHY??????

Some day the new methods will be old school, and someone will argue that the newbie should have to learn to climb on the VT instead of whatever advanced method is then employed.

I honestly don't understand this mentality.

Steven

 

[MasterBlaster]

Settle down there, Steven. You'll spur yurself.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

I'm an oldschooler but i agree with Steven on learning knots. Why learn tlh when vt will suit them better? I showed steven tlh and he went to vt a month after leaving. What was the point?

Yes to handsaw only in tree, or polesaw if NEEDED. Yes absolutely to working the tree together; best climate for learning when you're on the same level.

Spiking hand?? A Darwin candidate for sure.

And re: working short days/weeks, to each his/her own. But I feel like I'd be cheating trees and myself if I promoted trees only p/t and diddled with non-tree stuff the rest of the time.

 

[Stumper]

I think that learing to tie a hitch with the tail is worthwhile-I don't care if it is an improved Tautline , Blake's or a Tarbuck-well scatch the Tarbuck it is supposedly inconsistent when used w/synthetics. Making someone learn the method I think is prudent-who knows when they may need to climb with minimum gear. Making someone work "old school" seems to me a waste of time. Start with the most efficient system that the teacher knows!

 

[Dadatwins]

I really do not think it is a bad idea for someone new in biz to learn the old school methods of climbing before getting into advanced techniques. I know many guys always carry extra gear with them but what about the ONE time that you do not have enough pulleys or biners and have to rely only on your rope skills. My opinion is, Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

About spiking hand, that is a first time I have heard of that.

 

[rumination]

Sure, the new knots/techniques are the way to go. But what happens when you're fifty feet up and you drop your prusik cord? Then what? Right about then it would sure be nice to know how to tie a blakes on the tail of your line!

 

[hobby climber]

The first thing anyone remembers in an emergency situation will be the last thing taught to them.........and that should safety. ie)- what to do if ???, remembering to tie a figure-8 at the end of your slpit tail, eye - ear - head protection, speed kills & gravity rules! As Clint Eastwood said in one of his movies..."A mans got to know his limitations" !!!