I just have to share a story about a gal that wanted to climb.
i had climbed a tree and put a line on it for a bit of a pull. the tree was about 24inch waist high and I went up only about 40ft for good leverage.
When I had it on the ground and was putting my gear away she asked, could I try those on.
Now mind you, she was a ballerina, for real. She was very thin, all I could say is you sure? She said yes I would like to try. Well a powerline with some nice poles, not scarred up and no creosote on them were on the property where I had the pickup parked. I put the spurs on her and the belt. Explained about taking small steps and to be careful not to stick one in her leg, and I told her not to get any higher than I could reach her feet.
Well she put the first one in and stood on it, I told her to lean close to the pole and toss the rope up, she did, stuck in the other, and pulled up. She tossed the rope again after some effort, and took the next step. As she could easily do the splits, she just about put her knee to her chin and stuck the next one in. Ok, now picture this, she has one leg extended, the other one stuck in just about where the rope is around the pole, ok, now step up, lol, there she was, stuck like a frog on a pole, couldn't get the upper one out and couldn't lift herself to get the lower one up a bit.
I let her struggle a bit and lifted her off. She said my, that looks so easy, you are such a big man, I don't know how you can go up a tree like you do.
I have to admit, at 260, it is not as easy as it used to be. What we lose in age, we make up for with talent, right? Only thing I know is that everytime I am up there I wonder why, lol.
You folks be careful, climbing and cutting are not for beginners or the faint of heart. Get with someone that has some history and let him give you some hands on.