Nice sentiments, Ax-mon.
I love recreational tree climbing, especially because it gives me the chance to experiment with some of the newer, cutting edge climbing tricks, tools, and techniques used by arborists on the vanguard of the art and science of tree climbing . Unfortunately, the worksite seems to be the worst place to learn new climbing techniques.
Because of strict, time-budgeted work orders, there’s just no time to test new equipment and techniques that will make one’s climbing career easier, safer, and more efficient. And then there are stodgy, blinder-eyed bosses, who have no patience for “newfangled” jangling “doohickies,” and insist the old tried-and-true techniques are the only way.
I no longer have to worry about these sorts of bosses, but I admit whenever I had a fairly tough tree to do (I don’t do real tough ones), until fairly recently I almost always reverted to the simpler, tried-and-true methods of approach, only because I hadn’t taken the time to familiarize myself with the newer methods. I’d use a ladder to get part way up the tree, monkey fist my way a couple times to the TIP, and DdRT the tree with a Blake’s hitch.
The funny thing is, for two or three years I had the knowledge and equipment to do it a better way. I made a makeshift “bigshot” out of a pitchfork, a pole extension, and rubber tubing, I acquired a pantin, ascenders, and a knowledge of how to tie advanced hitches and climb SRT. But I just didn’t employ any of these tools or methods much when it came to a serious, challenging day of climbing.
This is where recreational tree climbing came in. It allowed me the time to experiment with the new equipment and techniques and to become more familiar with them to where I felt I could trust them and employ them confidently in the tree.
But most of all, a day of recreational tree climbing is sheer and utter fun, when you can play with the new and evolving “toys” and techniques invented for those of the supra terra. It’s amazing how much fun you can have in a tree without the constraints of a boss, and a work order.
P.S. And, thank you, you can save those western conifers for adrenaline-drenched extreme thrill seekers. My zen experience peak is just about perfect in a modest 100’ Eastern White Pine.