But I'm not dead yet ... Age and climbing

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The front cover shows a guy bending over a dead body. He had just been electrocuted.

A father and son were setting up a well drilling rig 8 inches from the 12,000 volt line! Five minutes later they were both dead.
 
Yeah, it is pretty interesting. Gene self-published the book back in 1986 at Arena Press in Point Arena California. The book is filled with wonderful stories of his daily life climbing trees for a living.
 
Had the chance 2 weeks ago to visit my son in Alexandria, MN. They just bought a house and my grand daughter had a climbing tree she was anxious to show me. I took my gear and got in a climb and minor prune for my 51st year, in my 70th year. Also got son, daughter-in-law and both girls(8 and 10) in the tree for a while. Think we have 3 generations of climbers in the family now, but not all as a profession, yet! Will keep at it as long as I can and it is fun.
 
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I am 40. Next month puts another notch in me. I have been wondering where the last climb was. There are so many awesome things now a days....I don't know where or when the last "time" will be. If the hardest "thing" is going there that is not an issue. Thanks for all the input tree people!
 
TOTALLY!!! :rockon:

I miss the good days, but I sure as hell don't miss the bad - and the bad days were coming around more and more often.
 
Just transition to an aerial lift. Hell, I could probably run a lift well into my 80's if I wanted to. At 57, I feel healthy and strong as I did in my 30's. I could do this chit forever... I love my job!
 
I thought the same until I was proved otherwise. Basically, the pistol grip was crippling my hands.

Perhaps I'd have lasted a few more years with lever controls.
 
Mellow said:
Just transition to an aerial lift. Hell, I could probably run a lift well into my 80's if I wanted to. At 57, I feel healthy and strong as I did in my 30's. I could do this chit forever... I love my job!
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You and me both, kid :D

I fully intend to stay at it as long as I can.
This time of not working has really shown me how fast my body deteriorates, when I'm out of the woods.
I'd have to spend 4 hours every day in a gym to keep in fighting trim, and I HATE gyms.
 
I'm 42, already with some rough joint issues after stepping in a gopher hole 15 years ago and tearing a ligament in my ankle. Also, my left elbow is pulp after repetitive stress injuries from computer work 10 years ago with a non-ergonomic set up. And rotator cuff sensitivity as a result... BUT I find ways to cope, doing daily Egoscue Pain Free exercises and other bodyweight exercises that enhance flexibility and joint strength. We're about to buy a bucket truck and mini skid steer (Vermeer or Ditch Witch), so I should find even more usefulness on the crew as an equipment operator on those new acquisitions. I don't plan on quitting any time soon or going to the office zone full time. I'd probably go stir crazy if I didn't have time out in the sunshine & great outdoors every day!
 
MasterBlaster said:
4 hours a day? Your metabolism must be slow as molasses.
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Butch, my dear.

You think being in shape is about having big muscles.

If your cardiovascular system is out of shape, those won't do you much good in a fight, in fact they'll drain you of oxygen and make you give up faster than if you were a slim type.
 
Exactly as I figured - just fine.

Pistol grips will hurt you quicker than levers.

But it wasn't just the pistol grip - it was ALL the gripping involved with treework.
 
Lotta gripping fo sho.

Nice to hear they cleared up
 
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