I have over 50 people who want to climb, most are novices. Everybody I've already taken up wants to climb again.
That's a good idea Bob though we can't do an open call to all working climbers via flyer to ask climbers to show up at a particular location 'cause we could easily end up with too many people for the location. Maybe a flyer with contact info would work. I'm busy enough with all the new climbers I have waiting so I'll stay out of trying to attract more climbers.
There may be a problem for working climbers, you climb all week, do you want to climb on the weekend too? And not get paid to climb? There is another potential problem, rec climbing takes a little getting used to for some arborists. It's nothing like a work climb. You take it easy, go slow. There's nothing to prove to boss or coworkers. The thing to prove is that you know how to be safe in a tree and enjoy yourself. It's tough to get used to at first when you have a way of approaching a tree that's best for work climbing.
The best part of rec climbs besides your own enjoyment is watching new climbers get psyched about being in the tree. Many new climbers go to 65-70 ft. on their first climb. As high as you place the rope they'll go. There's always a rescue access line higher than all other rope positions. More of my new climbers are women than men. Great to see women climbing. Generally speaking woman pick up climbing skills faster then men, mileage varies. I think woman may have an advantage with physical coordination in learning a natural climbing motion. Plus men are fairly dumb
Well not so much dumb as we try to muscle through everything and forget to listen and think sometimes.
I think a monthly arborist (and friends or family) only rec climb would be a good thing (as OTG hinted). Great way to relax, network, get your family or kids involved if you want, learn some new technique, exchange ideas etc. Would be really cool to practice some rescues or have someone do a workshop on a particular climbing skill or technique. Could go in many directions, all good.
That's my ramble about rec climbing hope to see some of you Nov 5 or maybe we can do something up at Boston Bull's tree in a following weekend.
-moss