chile verde
ArboristSite Lurker
Hey all,
First off, I need to thank everyone for the past several weeks of tips, suggestions, and entertainment, despite the fact I've only been lurking and gleaning what I may from other folks' questions! I've searched high and low for similar threads to the one you're reading now...some similar hits, but by and large my situation is somewhat unconventional.
I REALLY want to learn a new set of ropes, specifically those of the professional arborist. Will I ever become a fulltime arborist? I can see that happening, given how much enjoyment I get out of being outdoors AND perched high above the ground...but short-term I have other motivations:
1. I've already taken down plenty of trees on my property, mostly Tree of Heaven (do these even qualify?), Siberian elm, and other junk trees which impede my various construction projects. I've got a couple of monster elms which need make-overs, and I recognize I'm at the limit of what a single dude with an 18v sawzall, a cheap-o 16" AC electric chainsaw, an arsenal of climbing gear and non-experiencial knowledge can accomplish. The professional quotes for the trees are all in the $2-4k range, depending upon neighborly accessibility. I am NOT merely a skinflint trying to get this done cheap: I see this as a great economic excuse to act upon a lifelong compulsion, and as you'll hopefully see, I've given this a lot of thought.
2. I've recently acquired a woodstove to help heat our house, and cords here in semi-rural NM start ~$180 for pinyon. Ouch. If I can feed both my need for a stimulating and productive hobby, as well as heat our adobe walls...why not? Especially after last winter's gas shortage, and this winter's looking no better (local horses were putting on their winter coats back in August...never a good sign!).
3. A perusal of the Tree Climber's Companion has revealed that I already possess about 70% of the ropes/rigging/safety knowledge, and at least 50% of the gear. I've been an avid rockclimber and caver for over 10 years, have taught these through both university programs and informally, as well as facilitating at a ropes course for 5 years. Whether you're calling it a cow's tail, lobster claw, lanyard, or a tether, you need two of em attached to bomber anchors at all times and I'm already quite used to evolving both my vocab and technique with each new discipline. I'm also extremely calm and comfortable in situations which'd empty most folks' bladders, and am a very fast learner. I'm strong and quite agile...which helps. I'm also WFR certified so I'm even somewhat qualified to stabilize victims until an ambulance arrives...
I'm really fortunate to have a rewarding 40 hr/wk lab gig with modest pay, decent benefits and lots of time off. Unfortunately, it seems to me that having a regular job complicates the typical (?) groundie-up apprenticeship ritual. Just how realistic would I be to solicit my local companies for weekend groundie work, considering my motivations are to acquire: 1. working knowledge of a new and exciting approach to my childhood passion, 2. free firewood, and 3. additional skills to further both my future hireability, and personal satisfaction?
The tradeoff being I'm already experienced in nearly every roped discipline save circus carnie and arborist (beyond my amateur hybrid caver/climber SRT), used to following safety protocols, own my own gear, etc...BUT my availability is limited, and a segue into fulltime status is not necessarily in the cards.
If you were me, how would you market yourself? Is the weekend climber even a viable niche?
First off, I need to thank everyone for the past several weeks of tips, suggestions, and entertainment, despite the fact I've only been lurking and gleaning what I may from other folks' questions! I've searched high and low for similar threads to the one you're reading now...some similar hits, but by and large my situation is somewhat unconventional.
I REALLY want to learn a new set of ropes, specifically those of the professional arborist. Will I ever become a fulltime arborist? I can see that happening, given how much enjoyment I get out of being outdoors AND perched high above the ground...but short-term I have other motivations:
1. I've already taken down plenty of trees on my property, mostly Tree of Heaven (do these even qualify?), Siberian elm, and other junk trees which impede my various construction projects. I've got a couple of monster elms which need make-overs, and I recognize I'm at the limit of what a single dude with an 18v sawzall, a cheap-o 16" AC electric chainsaw, an arsenal of climbing gear and non-experiencial knowledge can accomplish. The professional quotes for the trees are all in the $2-4k range, depending upon neighborly accessibility. I am NOT merely a skinflint trying to get this done cheap: I see this as a great economic excuse to act upon a lifelong compulsion, and as you'll hopefully see, I've given this a lot of thought.
2. I've recently acquired a woodstove to help heat our house, and cords here in semi-rural NM start ~$180 for pinyon. Ouch. If I can feed both my need for a stimulating and productive hobby, as well as heat our adobe walls...why not? Especially after last winter's gas shortage, and this winter's looking no better (local horses were putting on their winter coats back in August...never a good sign!).
3. A perusal of the Tree Climber's Companion has revealed that I already possess about 70% of the ropes/rigging/safety knowledge, and at least 50% of the gear. I've been an avid rockclimber and caver for over 10 years, have taught these through both university programs and informally, as well as facilitating at a ropes course for 5 years. Whether you're calling it a cow's tail, lobster claw, lanyard, or a tether, you need two of em attached to bomber anchors at all times and I'm already quite used to evolving both my vocab and technique with each new discipline. I'm also extremely calm and comfortable in situations which'd empty most folks' bladders, and am a very fast learner. I'm strong and quite agile...which helps. I'm also WFR certified so I'm even somewhat qualified to stabilize victims until an ambulance arrives...
I'm really fortunate to have a rewarding 40 hr/wk lab gig with modest pay, decent benefits and lots of time off. Unfortunately, it seems to me that having a regular job complicates the typical (?) groundie-up apprenticeship ritual. Just how realistic would I be to solicit my local companies for weekend groundie work, considering my motivations are to acquire: 1. working knowledge of a new and exciting approach to my childhood passion, 2. free firewood, and 3. additional skills to further both my future hireability, and personal satisfaction?
The tradeoff being I'm already experienced in nearly every roped discipline save circus carnie and arborist (beyond my amateur hybrid caver/climber SRT), used to following safety protocols, own my own gear, etc...BUT my availability is limited, and a segue into fulltime status is not necessarily in the cards.
If you were me, how would you market yourself? Is the weekend climber even a viable niche?