What makes a good climber

[scheffa]

hi all, wondering what people's thoughts are on what type of person makes a good climber prior to training?
I have been running a saws for a number of years milling and cutting firewood and have started to learn how to climb, from reading, YouTube the local saw shop etc.
Just curious if there is a particular type of person who is suited to climbing.
I'm 27, 78kg fit, healthy, strong for my size and flexible.
I am a qualified carpenter who has been running my own business for the last 7 years with up to9 blokes employed by me.
Just curious on everyone's thoughts

 

[Nish]

Great question and I'm interested to hear the responses. Most generally, I would want the guy or gal to be intelligent, athletic, and safety-conscious.

 

[jefflovstrom]

I think it just has to do with a person wanting to. Like an addiction once you do. I would be on vacation before and see trees I just wanted to climb,,
The bigger question is who are all the spandex dudes riding bikes all day??
Jeff

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Just put a bunch of guys in a room full of hammers. The one that keeps hitting his thumb because it feels so good when he stops is your best candidate.

 

[Zale]

Not afraid of heights, single, no kids, no drug habits, ability to listen and paid up life insurance.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

And flat thumbs

 

[Axmeaquestion]

The ability to do really stupid things in a smart way

 

[Pelorus]

Grit, determination, high pain threshold. ie. someone with a farming background.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

As far as size goes, as long as you fit into big boy pants you'll be fine.

 

[CanopyGorilla]

Someone who already knows how to saw and tie knots.

 

[ATH]

Pruning or removals?

If you want to do pruning, start by learning how to take care of trees. I would never send somebody into a tree as a climber who doesn't know how to prune a tree on the ground! Seems like people forget the reason we climb...there are great climbers who have no understanding of tree biology. They will do what is convenient for them because they don't know any better.

If you are doing removals, start by learning how branches behave when you cut them. Learn principles of rigging by watching somebody else...again, something you don't want to learn the same time you are learning to climb.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I guess the unasked question is do you want to be a climber or an arborist?

 

[pistol pete]

A guy who shows up every day and is willing to do it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[Wayne Wilkinson]

are you looking for someone who already knows how to climb? looking for a teacher to teach you to climb? I would have to agree with most of what was said above. Personality plays a big part, if you will employ them. Make sure you are of similar mind sets.

 

[BC WetCoast]

Someone who doesn't require 7 painkillers to get out of bed

 

[Wayne Wilkinson]

Someone who doesn't require 7 painkillers to get out of bed

so you mean a guy who hasnt done it real long???

 

[KenJax Tree]

Someone who is "qualified" not just "certified", anyone can pass the test but applying it in the real world is the real test.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Some who is "qualified" not just "certified", anyone can pass the test but applying it in the real world is the real test.

Yup,,
Jeff