Unpopular opinion: Rope and saddle climbing built better tree sense than gear does now

I feel like the old way of climbing taught you so much more about the tree. We used just a rope, a basic saddle, and our own moves to get up there. You had to feel the branch strength and plan your path with care. Now I see crews using all kinds of mechanical aids to zip up fast. Sure, it's quicker, but they miss learning how the tree really moves. That slow, thoughtful process made you a smarter arborist. I worry that this deep understanding is getting replaced by just using gadgets.

3 comments

3 Comments

harper_gibson21mo ago

My mentor taught me on a basic Blake's hitch setup in the late 90s. We spent whole afternoons just figuring out how to move through a single oak without any fancy ascenders. I remember once getting stuck because I didn't read the branch union right, and that mistake taught me more than any smooth climb ever could. Those slow climbs forced you to notice every little shift in the wood and how your weight changed the tree's bounce. Sure, new gear gets you to the top fast, but you miss all those small lessons along the way. That hands-on struggle is what wires the tree into your brain, and I don't see that same depth coming from quick ascents.

knight.blair1mo ago

That "built better tree sense" line reminds me of learning to bike without training wheels. You get a feel for balance that fancy bikes can't teach.

james_martin931mo ago

Oh, absolutely! Learning to bike without training wheels was a mess for me. I fell so many times my knees were always scraped up. To this day, I still wobble on a bike if I think about it too much. But you're right, that struggle gives you a feel for balance that just sticks with you. Fancy bikes might be smooth, but they can't teach you that gut sense of staying upright.