Well, Sitka, it is nice to include a younger person into the fun of tree climbing . Yes proper gear should have been used at every occassion but sometimes we have to do with what we have available or go back and stay indoors permanently affraid of getting hurt. I just finished facilitating /teaching my first group of volunteers how to safely climb in wild trees in Venezuela. Everyone had a great time, I took every precaution to be safe and stay within the limits while sharing one set of gear including a helmet but not gloves or safety gogles. It would have been a long flight back to Texas to get the extra gear ! We showed the basics to 6 six new begginer climbers and they are all looking forward to get more gear including children harnesses and extra ropes etc. It was fun. My gear will stay with them while I have to return home to work and buy new gear ----Yeahh! New Tribe and Sherrills be ready!

Hey Tengu I hope you have a great time in your jungle adventures in La Gran Sabana. I am a long distance in Merida (close to Colombia) from were you are going closer to the Brazil border Everyone be safe, stay in touch and keep posting your reports. Thanks

Jim, I accept the criticism and I appreciate that you offered it in a constructive rather than accusatory manor. Obviously, by posting the pictures I opened myself up to such condemnation from the world of tree enthusiasts. However, I don’t think that I have ever gone to climb a tree and not forgotten one thing or another, even when at work. If you think about it, there’s at least 15-20 pieces of equipment a person must remember to bring for each climb, often times more, so the possibility of forgetting something is great. In fact, you might notice that I forgot my gloves as well! All tree climbing is dangerous. Having glasses and a helmet only make it a little less dangerous.

Thank you, Sitka. My intentions indeed were, and are, honorable.

As an adult, Bill can choose whether to wear a helmet. I know of at least one place where he is told to wear one. Natural selection will see to it that if Bill makes good choices, that capability will (may) be passed on. If he makes bad ones (early enough in life), well, you know. (BTW, I’m glad you’re still with us, Bill!)

Honestly, I can’t for the life of me understand why someone would choose not to wear a helmet. Not wearing one is like choosing not to buy insurance for your health, your car, your house . . . . The cost of NOT having it is just too high.

Ditto for safety glasses. Turning your head toward a branch and poking your eye would be no fun. Yes, I know, I know: “It won’t happen to me. I’ve been climbing for 729 years and . . . .”

As I said, the cost is just too great.

I took a moment to consider what I might say if I had to call from the hospital and tell my niece Holly’s parents that she had lost the sight of an eye because I didn’t have her wear glasses while we were climbing. I couldn’t think of anything. Do any of you have any suggestions?

As for “the professionals” I mentioned, here’s an anecdote: Two days ago I was at an ISA competition. I am in the market for a new pair of safety glasses, so had my eyes open for some that I liked. I saw some and asked three different men what brand they were wearing. As they were telling me, two of the three told me that whatever I got, to be sure to check for the proper ANSI Z87.1 rating.

That’s what I mean by “professionals.” Yes, there are professionals and then there are those who know how to start a chain saw and put on gaffs. I’m talking about employees of companies like Care of Trees.

My sincere apologies for hijacking this thread, but this topic is just too important for me to ignore.

I hope that none of you ever has cause to say that you wish you had listened to silly ol’ Jim.

I do disagree, Sitka, when you say, “Having glasses and a helmet only make it a little less dangerous.” There’s no doubt in my mind but that it makes it significantly less dangerous. I may be wrong, but I bet we could find a bunch of people with only one eye who would violently disagree with you.

The chances of falling are extremely slight. The chances of unexpectedly bumping into somethig are pretty high.

Rant complete.

Sitka: Great pictures!

That looks like a really fun climb. I've been wanting to take my younger brother up. I've even got a second set of gear-from graduating up in quality. He said he's game.
I wonder if I can adequately train him.
Anyway, thanks for sharing. Oh, and I don't remember if anyone mentioned this...but you should have worn helmets. <grins> It's just the right thing to do.
Stay cool.
Robert