Equipment Q&A:

StrictlyPalms

Hey guys/gals,
So I'm looking to get some exercise in this winter and the local climbing gym seems like one of the better places since it will give me much needed practice and knowledge. But in looking at the gear it seems there is some really different sets depending on what kind of climbing is being done.

My main questions:

-I have no gear/experience in climbing, would it be better to rent/or just buy a set for rock walls?

-Or would the gym's let me use something more for tree work?

-What basic climbing gear crosses over from one to the other?

-Also, is it possible to do any sort of solo stuff in the back yard off one of my trees to get a decent workout in? (38 years old, working computers for the last 9 years hasn't done my stamina (or waistline) any good. In reading many of the threads out there it sounds like "air humping?" would be a good workout. Or is everything strictly 2 person for safety.

Any help for an FNG would be great. I'm studying like mad to try for the ISA cert this spring and definitely want to learn to do this stuff right.

SP

__________________
Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

treekiwi

footlocking is definately one of the best workouts and can be done in your home tree, some of the boys used 2 use a rope bag full of weight to get the strength up , as for at the rock climbing gym, Its usually cheap to hire gear from the club. Your arborist gear is definately no good for this and works on a completey different principle(would be nice if you could tho). Arborist harnesses are purely 'work positioning harnesses' which means they are designed for a fall of no more than 1.5-3 metres, which isnt much and arnt rated for recreation. Also its prity hard to climb a wall in a harness with a seat lol. Also the rope we used is semi or static line which means it has noor very little stretch and so is dangerous for falling great heights as apposed to 'dynamic' rope used in rock climbing which absorbs energy in the fall.... hope this helps.

Therrin

I'd have to agree with TreeKiwi...

I actually use my rock harness for pruning though, arbo harnesses are pretty restrictive.

I'd suggest purchasing your own harness, at the very least. "one-size-fits-all" and rented harnesses generally aren't as comfy as one that you go out and fit to yourself. Plus, since I own my own climbing harness, I know exactly what kind of falls it's taken, and I do the inspections on it. Personally I'd never rent a harness, but that's just me. You can pick up a good one from Petzl or Black Diamond for somewhere around $100 bucks. It'd be the best investment you can make as a climber (in either climbing world)

shaggs

G'day Strictly Palms
I'd stay away from any rented gear or second hand gear. Pay the dollars and get the new gear with no unknown history. Same for ropes, crabs etc.
Good to see your gong to look after your fittness. Alot of accidents occur when climbers are tired, or late in the day with "last cut syndrome".
Good Luck

newguy18

Get the tree climbers companion and the fundamentals of general tree work they will be of great aid to you.you can get them both here.
A Tree Story: books and videos by Gerald F Beranek

__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler

StrictlyPalms

I have the companion but wanted to work through the ISA workbook at least once before I cracked another unknown. I appreciate the info you guys are giving, it really gives me some foreknowledge of what I'm getting into.


SP

__________________
Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

newguy18

Jerry 's book is one of the bestI've read and it"ll help you out on the isa.i have the official isa study guide but I got more out of jerry's book.

__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler

treevet

Most climbers I know work out to climb, not climb to get in shape. You can find yourself in a position where you don t have the fitness to power yourself out of it and get in trouble. Especially with your desk jockey job you might want to pump some weights and maybe hit the road for some mileage running prior to climbing. Climbing will find the weakest link in your body. Smart thing is not to have any.

TREEMONKEY

I have been rock climbing for 13 years and trees only 4. If you are not in the trees the best work out i find is bouldering(low angle rock climbing) and skipping in between and at home chin up pyramids 1 chin up 45 second break 2 chin ups 45 second break and follow that to 10 chin ups and then back down to one if that gets easy start at 5 and go to 15. bouldering is great exercise builds super strong core, back, and grip strength and no rope so you can keep climbing instead of coming down and untying and tying knots. Climb with other people at rock gyms they can teach you a lot of technique which will help you get strong.

Good Luck
Climb Hard Climb Safe

DBS

Here is a GREAT 9 week outline of a workout

Navy Seal Workout

It is in preparation to be a Navy Seal.

It requires a tremendous amount of discipline, but the results are phenomenal!!

Swimming is included down below, however there was a substitute for the swimming if NA, i just cant recall what it was.



Running

Weeks #1, 2: 2 miles/day, 8:30 pace, M/W/F (6 miles/ week)

Week #3: No running. High risk of stress fractures

Week #4: 3 miles/day, M/W/F (9 miles/wk)

Weeks #5, 6: 2/3/4/2 miles, M/Tu/Th/F (11 miles/wk)

Weeks #7,8: 4/4/5/3 miles, M/Tu/Th/F (16 miles/ wk)

Week #9: same as #7,8 (16 miles/ wk)


Push Ups, Pull Ups and Sit Ups (Mon/Wed/Fri)

Week #1:
4X15 Push Ups
4X20 Sit Ups
3X3 Pull Ups

Week #2:
5X20 Push Ups
5X20 Sit Ups
3X3 Pull Ups

Week #3,4:
5X25 Push Ups
5X25 Sit Ups
3X4 Pull Ups

Week #5,6:
6X25 Push Ups
6X25 Sit Ups
2X8 Pull Ups

Week #7,8:
6X30 Push Ups
6X30 Sit Ups
2X10 Pull Ups

Week #9:
6X30 Push Ups
6X30 Sit Ups
3X10 Pull Ups


Swimming 4-5 days a week


Weeks #1, 2: Swim continuously for 15 min.

Weeks #3, 4: Swim continuously for 20 min.

Weeks #5, 6: Swim continuously for 25 min.

Weeks #7, 8: Swim continuously for 30 min.

Week #9: Swim continuously for 35 min.



Be mentally strong, don't give up!

If you follow the program above exactly you will get great results and a new stronger you will emerge.

Be sure to take in enough nutrients and water.

I hope it doesn't scare you too much. Don't be intimidated by it. the running can be scary looking but work your way up to it!

Good Luck with it!!......


-Daryl

__________________
Stihl MS 200T
Stihl MS 361

StrictlyPalms

Thanks DBS, that workout looks like it would fit my current schedule perfectly, I travel for a living so a "no equipment" workout is great. And I have access to the hotel pools whenever I need.

Trevet- I hear what you're saying, trust me I won't be getting into any trees or other situations without proper training and education. But I'm very interested in the climbing all the way around and it seems like, as a workout, it's the perfect way to train and exercise at the same time. I'm old enough to know my limitations.

Since I travel I'll be looking for climbing gyms around the country to keep things going. Also, some of the riggers on the show I work have promised to teach me some basic rappelling techniques.

Click the link for the cities I'll be in this year with the Professional Bull Rider's tour
Professional Bull Riders, Inc. Built Ford Tough Series
Unfortunately they canceled the Sao Paulo Brazil trip
Let me know if I'll be in a city near you!

__________________
Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

treevet

Good thought, "a man s got to know his limitations" Clint Eastwood, Dirty Harry

quercus

I personally feel this post is all but helpfull...A few reasons...

1)A rock climbing harness is certainly not designed for tree work because it is very very uncomfortable after hanging into it for a longer period of time.Arb harnesses are certainly not only for work positioning. I do agree that there are different models, but it certainly possible to buy a harness that fits for all purposes.Petzl has a few good saddles, but keep in mind that a harness with a seat is not allways for tree-care purposes.

2)In tree-care, it is imperative that you don't have slack in your climbing system.Always try to keep it stretched. If you don't have slack on your climbing line, a fall can easily be stopped safely by a semi-static rope. By using a dynamic rope you will lose a great deal of efficiency when climbing trees because there is a lot of stretch in the line. Dynamic rock climbing lines have a thin outer liner. And they are not keeping their round shape very good. You'll come to find that it's very annoying when a dynamic rock climbing line is used with a hitch or prussik knot.

jim1nz

Hey whats your guys oppinions on this;

Using a tree work harness for rock climbing...

Apart from the obvious bulk, weight and movement issues i reckon you would be better off falling into a tree work harness as opposed to a little flimsy rock climbing harness.

Rock climbing harness dont even have padding or if so very little, compared to for example a tree motion harness.

I realise they are both rated to a min of 22kn and that YOU would probably break before the harness but what are thoughts anyway...

__________________
SPEED ALWAYS FOLLOWS TECHNIQUE

Therrin

I'd by far trust a good-sized fall in my rock harness. Just for some reason, I feel safer in it for a dynamic fall. The entire thing is "parachute grade" stitched. Just feels nice and secure.

The arbo harness is comfy, but I really don't have that same warm fuzzy feeling when I look at the big leather pieecs and wide stitches and buckles and such. I think they're primarily designed for different purposes, so it's hard to compare them, but I still like pruing with my rock harness better.

And Yes, Quercus, it is much more uncomfortable, compared to my tree harness, but I feel much more agile, so I accept the trade. I spent my first several years in trees, using a rock harness. Cruisin now though.... in comfort mostly.

newguy18

I don't care for harnesses with a seat on them they restrict movement to much.

__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler

quercus

Been there, done that... had absolutely no problem with it. I've got a Treemotion saddle and before that I used a petzl falcon and a navaho . I retired those because the sidestraps as an add on are absolutely worthless.

newguy18

i'm fixing to buy a navaho vario.I have a couple of good friends who use them all the time and recomended them.The tree motion looks good but is way out of budget.

__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler

quercus

Once you discover the comfort and everything you can do with it, you'll realize it is worth every penny...

When you're looking at a navaho vario... try to look at the advantage of the navaho varioBELT. The only navaho harness wich allows installation of the sidestraps, wich are way better for treecare then the tiein point in front. It gives you the option to create a moving anchorpoint on your harness.

newguy18

sidestraps?I don't like a moving dee I perfer fixed dees.
Petzl Work and Rescue - Harness accessories SIDESTRAPS
this is it.Bailey's - Petzl Navajo Vario Sit Harness
its gotta be more comfortable than what i use now.
http://www.weaverleather.com/arbor/p...ingSaddles.pdf
number 08-01005

__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler

Therrin

I really like the sliding D on my Buckingham.

If you've gotta sit somewhere it's much more comfy than using the work-positioning side-D's...

Not that I spend much time just sitting around, just wanted to mention that if you've *never* tried a sliding D, ya might give it a shot.

StrictlyPalms

OK, since I'm the newbie and I've had 4 guiness's , I'll also play devil's advocate. And maybe some ideas will be exchanged.

ALSO, please remember I am a NEWBIE, explain some of the terms you guys are using, also your reasoning behind them. I'm new, I'm not dumb, and I take advice as good as the next guy, sometimes better. I love hearing the reasoning behind someones opinion, it really helps me weigh the benefits/disadvantages in things.
-all - What are the advantages/disadvantages to the different equipment you quote? (straps, saddles, padding, price, etc...)
- Newguy - When you say it's too expensive, how much is that?
- Quercus you mention there is a Petzl, treemotion, or vario *navaho* belt? You say in a few different posts how you liked some but not others, or liked certain aspects of them. Explain the reason you didn't like it, I'm curious. Something that you didn't like might be something I'm looking for.
- since this thread was started with the idea of a basic set of gear/exercises for the newbie (ME). Points go to the guys with the most helpful posts.

- I do love to hear tech talk on equipment/gear though, so please let me know what is out there, and how well it works for the different applications you use it for in particular.

Thanks again.

__________________
Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

Therrin

I'll send you the petzl catalog if you PM me. Being able to see pictures of all the stuff Quercus and other's are talking about as far as the Petzl saddles may help you to understand that stuff since some of theirs differ substantially from a "buckingham" style saddle.

newguy18

alright heres where you can find the treemotion harness.
sherilltree.com

__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler

StrictlyPalms

Cool, PM sent, and that sherilltree link leads to a site selling sofas newguy. Is there an alternate spelling?

Thx again.

__________________
Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

quercus

SherrillTree | Tree Gear. Tree People.

I'd go for the Treemotion harness. Expensive? yes, but worth every penny.
If you care for this harness it'll do you good for a lot of years.

newguy18

maybe someday.

__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler

PTC

No doubt, the treemotion harness is awesome. However, i have retired mine after less than three months of use due to wear!

newguy18

in that case i won't buy it.

__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler

JohN Dee

The treemotion harness is extremely comfortable aswell as flexible. When I tried it on it just instantly fused with my body shape and alignment (Instant ass groove). The only thing I wish I hada' done was clip a saw to it. My buck traverse is comfy but doesn't even come close to that.

Once I tried it on I instantly wanted to buy one. But after looking at the needs vs wants it was indeed at the very bottom of the wants..

__________________
We are what we repeatedly do... Excellence then, is not an act, but HABIT...

Red : Green : Blue