To Climb is to Understand So, what exactly does it mean to me when I say “I am a climber”? Unless you are a climber, that statement is something that most people can’t understand. We are primates and deep down, we have primate abilities that, sadly, most people have completely lost sight of. If we go back in the history of our species, early man needed to climb trees for so many reasons. Food was in the trees. Safety was often in the trees. Shelter, tools, firewood, and pretty much survival was in the trees. Those who climbed, got to the food. Those who climbed well, survived well. The human body adapted to being able to climb the trees much like the other primates do. If you ever watch how elegantly an orangutan moves through the trees, you may understand a bit more about how early man learned to move through the trees. Having a tail would be nice but I have a rope. Learning to use the ropes for movement and swinging around in the trees is exhilarating! All these movements while climbing makes me feel at one with the tree and I feel strong. Feeling strong is so powerful and if you combine that with movement and climbing, well, you have to do it to understand. I need to climb to feel whole.
Amen Blair. My identity is wrapped up in climbing and rigging. Climbing affects me the way nothing else does. It's primal. It touches something deep in me, an ancient, long forgotten part of my brain. Climbing trees is one of the only times I truly feel alive... - Patrick
Could not agree more Patrick. I have had a lot of mentors and been a mentor myself to many. Your channel is a huge positive for our industry and I hope you find inspiration to better your efforts. Blair
God bless you Pat. A sincere thank you from a fellow Oklahoma based student. May the Holy Spirit continue to bless all of us with discernment on this life long journey together.
Thanks for rambling. I agree with most of that. A lot of tree care workers in the Knoxville area don't value education training, advancement, or growth. We can all learn from each other and sharpen one another. Informative experience has great value.
Thanks for sharing Patrick. I’ve learned many many things from you and I am eternally grateful. I look forward to learning even more. Thank you for being dedicated to the trade and to us. Your friend, Austin
First of all I would like to thank you for your content. I think you might take peoples comments too personal. When I started our business I joined all sorts of Facebook groups and TH-cam channel’s for information. I have since deleted all the Facebook groups because of all the comments people post. They all turn into pissing matches that pump up their ego. Even though you say you are a “student” you still can be a teacher or mentor to someone else. Your content always shows more of the “real” stuff that goes on. You show more climbing, more explaining of why and how you are doing something and knot tying. You have the best attitude towards educating this community on tree work and safety. A teacher can be a student and a student can be a teacher. Thank you so much. Aaron (south central Montana)
I'd like to do a video series on "The Lost Art of Humility in Tree Work". that would be followed with "Aging in The Tree Industry, and How to Cope with The Feeling of Becoming Irrelevant". Patrick, this is a most excellent conversation. Hubris and the dopamine hits are taking us backwards despite the technology thrusting us forward. The Echo chamber is deafening. Maybe it's just me but, as an older member of the workforce, it's getting more difficult to provide the mentorship the industry is desperately screaming for through its actions. Less and less are willing to accept that mentorship because the false reenforcement of social media feedback. The craft you speak of is becoming a flashy gimmick. The old timers are backing into the shadows at the exact moment we need them the most. How can we change this. This helps but there needs to be more conversations!
I've learned so much from watching you. From knots to hardware to in tree techniques. I definately feel more educated from your committment to the community and I continue to learn. Thank you for all you do! Love to get some merch from you to represent and spread your channel out in the field. I want a sticker for my helmet real bad..lol Look forward to watching more of your content and I really do gain even more re watching your older videos. Rock on Patrick!
we are all one tree ! its so amazing. how the process of learning shows up like the sun , every morning . thanks for your roots that small amount of fruit that we can taste across the globe , we are the branches that hold each other . like a stump to rest . like a good stock we will regrow food for thought Joe
This follow-up shares the ageless vitality that informed doing grows new learning. You are more than go to guy for technique, that too, but you’re a reflective cowboy with heart intelligence and integrity. The other vid was honest and raw. And in a way about seeing who you didn’t want to become, a cowboy who repeats rope tricks and rides fancy. Ego’s attention craves itself; puffs up its small self to crowd out the really big living stuff. I felt that you let Muggheads (please forgive the use)into your struggle. Even what you said then you say now that you want better for yourself, and you want Muggheads to be better in learning, doing and becoming. A hand on heart thank you TreeMuggs for you digging deep and sharing treasure.
I tell climbers to practice new techniques when they have the open area. DON'T learn or test a technique when the risk is there as a climber, or someones property is at risk. Love the "full cup" analogy
Enjoyed the video. Many ways to learn. Written (Books, manuals, bulletins, etc.), and videos (ex. TH-cam) combined with "Learning by doing" will get you there. That is if you have the right attitude, desire and enthusiasm. If you "take" to something (I love to climb and work a tree), if you really love it you will learn quickly AND continue to learn, to absorb more and more knowledge regarding your endeavor. If you think you know it all....or you're not that enthused with your Job or hobby (your endeavor), you will fail in one way or another. JMHO Good talk, Patrick.
I learnt pretty quick to stay humble and not think that i know best. Humility has kept me out of some bad situations and kept me open to different opinions. We're all on the same team after all, and the best decion is an informed decision 😁 Im only still young and what frustrates me the most in my climbing is simply a lack of experience, so i always try to stay quiet when someone is telling me something, even when i think i already know. 🤙
That's good Patrick. You're right we never should stop learning especially in this business you have to keep learning the new technology that's out since I started out is mind blowing to me.
Thanks for sharing Patrick! My dad and uncles grew up on cross cut saws and loaded log trucks by rolling logs which were drug up by mules, up on polls. Boy would they have loved all the climbing gear available today. Even though they were very good at what they did then with what they had, a dead tree almost killed my uncle 5 years ago. He assumed his son in law would pull a big 30 inch red oak over gently with the tractor, next to his house when he gave him the go. Instead he jerked it so hard, scared it would fall on the house and a ginormous limb fell out and broke a my uncles femur. He then fell on a farm attachment near by which punched a hole in his skull. My dad had just arrived in time to find his younger brother unconscious on his birthday trip to Tennessee where he had built his retirement home in the area near where he was born old school, at home where they boiled water, for whatever reason they boiled water I have no clue. Next he had to find a place in those mountains where life flight could land and try and save his brother. Uncle Joe made it but recovery was like a year long, and a blow like that takes part of you that never returns. Sometimes the mistake can be trusting a helper just a little too much! Or is it not understanding the danger of a dead tree enough to make damn sure that the helper pulls that tree slow and easy, so as to not break out any of those big deadly limbs?
Your thought around 4:30 - 6:50 : Fair enough, but we also shouldn't feel like we have to reinvent the wheel each time we have a job to do. That (can) creates more problems than it solves. We don't need to know/use every way to solve a problem if the outcome is the same. Not to say we should at least research/know about them. At some there is a way that is the best for you, for your team, your gear and for the situation.
When You teach that's when You really Learn About Your Work! I'm a Working Climber at the Age of 72 and Still Always willing To Learn New Tricks Of The Trade! Appreciate Your Willingness To Share!!
There are dozens of TH-cam creators showing how to do tree work, this is just your particular version, no one should be calling you out. You mainly addressed people that already work in the field (or plan to), I would say a good chunk of your audience will never do tree work except on their own property, what do you say to them? I have liked your approach from the beginning, creating content and teaching makes you think about what you are doing and how you can improve so keep it up, I'm looking forward to seeing you evolve. I learned quite a bit from your rigging videos that I put into practice. Also one thing I learned from watching tree climbing competitions is the use of the Petzl Asap as a backup. I think anyone taking on their own treework should have a redundant safety line, there is very little room for mistakes, especially if there is no expert watching you and warning you when you are doing the wrong thing. Thanks for your content!
I had an ego thought I knew it all and one day that changed as I got older and realized that I didn't and I became humble and I'm just like I don't know everything and I'm always striving to learn and I'm very obsessed with tree work n love it
I have known and watched and hired 80 years worth of guys like you who are learning with other climbers. Don't beat yourself up over comments from people who don't even have a clue or know jack. Somewhere along the line one of them will be telling you when to change your underwear! 🤣 You have a great character and mindset & your journey is your's alone. Keep your spirit and humility and be safe on your journey❤🙏
Again this is me chiming in,I’m learning everyday but ,not the same as someone that’s in this a long time .i rather watch you august,reg,even that young guy zacceaus,and I think someone reg Coates would be the person for example to set the bar along with you and august and Jacob R.but just remember there people just as good with high standards that are not visible on utube ,even they will tell you I’m still learning.one of the most humble people Billy ray smith will tell you be kind to everyone and keep learning.
I know a few guys who contract climb and learned exclusively from TH-cam. I think it's not very hard to learn how to safely do this job it just takes practice and experience. You can actually know a lot but not be able to put that into practice without doing it a lot. The benefit of learning at a company is you can not be 100% responsible for anything that happens while you're gaining that experience. I personally learned doing free work for property owners with farm trees that don't endanger anything
Unless you are a rookie & very young, you have to have some cowboy in you. I definitely have that cowboy inside me, but I try to NEVER bring him out. These days I try to use my knowledge & skill, instead of being brave & ballzy😎👍 STAY SAFE BROTHER
I mean the focus should be the Tree and his phisiology not the climbing. Respekt for Sports and racing anyway "tree climbing" is for me a method (sometimes the only one) to give care to plants and environment. We should reach out solutions for specifical plant problem not "simply" to improve our climbers skills and proud. Thanx.
Don't listen to internet comments. Some people make such complaints because they themselves lack technical skills. I have met many narcissistic tree workers that get really defensive when you know something they don't.
Compared to other channels, particularly other arborist channels, I've not seen a whole lot of negative feedback on you. As at group the guys in your trade seem to attract ego. Often one can shrug off snide remarks that are off base, but I can see how the author may take some of it personally. You gotta have thick skin if you play this TH-cam game.
To Climb is to Understand
So, what exactly does it mean to me when I say “I am a climber”?
Unless you are a climber, that statement is something that most people can’t understand. We are primates and deep down, we have primate abilities that, sadly, most people have completely lost sight of.
If we go back in the history of our species, early man needed to climb trees for so many reasons. Food was in the trees. Safety was often in the trees. Shelter, tools, firewood, and pretty much survival was in the trees. Those who climbed, got to the food. Those who climbed well, survived well.
The human body adapted to being able to climb the trees much like the other primates do.
If you ever watch how elegantly an orangutan moves through the trees, you may understand a bit more about how early man learned to move through the trees.
Having a tail would be nice but I have a rope. Learning to use the ropes for movement and swinging around in the trees is exhilarating! All these movements while climbing makes me feel at one with the tree and I feel strong.
Feeling strong is so powerful and if you combine that with movement and climbing, well, you have to do it to understand. I need to climb to feel whole.
Amen Blair. My identity is wrapped up in climbing and rigging. Climbing affects me the way nothing else does. It's primal. It touches something deep in me, an ancient, long forgotten part of my brain. Climbing trees is one of the only times I truly feel alive...
- Patrick
@ but family is way up there too😊
Thanks Patrick. I, for one, value your knowledge and willingness to share your experience.
Could not agree more Patrick. I have had a lot of mentors and been a mentor myself to many. Your channel is a huge positive for our industry and I hope you find inspiration to better your efforts.
Blair
God bless you Pat. A sincere thank you from a fellow Oklahoma based student. May the Holy Spirit continue to bless all of us with discernment on this life long journey together.
This is quite possibly the most important video you’ve made yet. I am forwarding this to my guys now
Humility is key to a good tree guy or gal. Very well spoken walk around.
Thank you Patrick
U the man! Love your vids and attitude. And resurrecting Beranek’s book!
Thanks for rambling. I agree with most of that. A lot of tree care workers in the Knoxville area don't value education training, advancement, or growth. We can all learn from each other and sharpen one another. Informative experience has great value.
Thanks for your dedication to the art
Thanks for sharing Patrick. I’ve learned many many things from you and I am eternally grateful. I look forward to learning even more. Thank you for being dedicated to the trade and to us.
Your friend,
Austin
Well spoken Patrick. 💪
First of all I would like to thank you for your content. I think you might take peoples comments too personal. When I started our business I joined all sorts of Facebook groups and TH-cam channel’s for information. I have since deleted all the Facebook groups because of all the comments people post. They all turn into pissing matches that pump up their ego. Even though you say you are a “student” you still can be a teacher or mentor to someone else. Your content always shows more of the “real” stuff that goes on. You show more climbing, more explaining of why and how you are doing something and knot tying. You have the best attitude towards educating this community on tree work and safety. A teacher can be a student and a student can be a teacher.
Thank you so much.
Aaron (south central Montana)
Ever since I decided to be humble my time in the canopy has been so much nicer. Thanks for being out here sharing brother.
I'd like to do a video series on "The Lost Art of Humility in Tree Work". that would be followed with "Aging in The Tree Industry, and How to Cope with The Feeling of Becoming Irrelevant". Patrick, this is a most excellent conversation. Hubris and the dopamine hits are taking us backwards despite the technology thrusting us forward. The Echo chamber is deafening. Maybe it's just me but, as an older member of the workforce, it's getting more difficult to provide the mentorship the industry is desperately screaming for through its actions. Less and less are willing to accept that mentorship because the false reenforcement of social media feedback. The craft you speak of is becoming a flashy gimmick. The old timers are backing into the shadows at the exact moment we need them the most. How can we change this. This helps but there needs to be more conversations!
The 45 year old me is the most productive version to date. I also have no plans of retiring. Thanks 🙌
I've learned so much from watching you. From knots to hardware to in tree techniques. I definately feel more educated from your committment to the community and I continue to learn. Thank you for all you do! Love to get some merch from you to represent and spread your channel out in the field. I want a sticker for my helmet real bad..lol Look forward to watching more of your content and I really do gain even more re watching your older videos. Rock on Patrick!
One of the few humble ones,Mr hunicke, zacceus, and you are my go to’s. All humble all inspiring all willing to spread knowledge.
we are all one tree ! its so amazing. how the process of learning shows up like the sun , every morning . thanks for your roots that small amount of fruit that we can taste across the globe , we are the branches that hold each other . like a stump to rest . like a good stock we will regrow food for thought
Joe
@@mvblitzyo I also follow Patrick
This follow-up shares the ageless vitality that informed doing grows new learning. You are more than go to guy for technique, that too, but you’re a reflective cowboy with heart intelligence and integrity. The other vid was honest and raw. And in a way about seeing who you didn’t want to become, a cowboy who repeats rope tricks and rides fancy. Ego’s attention craves itself; puffs up its small self to crowd out the really big living stuff. I felt that you let Muggheads (please forgive the use)into your struggle.
Even what you said then you say now that you want better for yourself, and you want Muggheads to be better in learning, doing and becoming. A hand on heart thank you TreeMuggs for you digging deep and sharing treasure.
We're all learning Patrick, however YOU have educated me so much, thanks mate
I tell climbers to practice new techniques when they have the open area. DON'T learn or test a technique when the risk is there as a climber, or someones property is at risk.
Love the "full cup" analogy
Thank you Patrick .I really enjoy your channel and your approach. Being humble is a real strength . Looking forward to your next video..
Life brings humility; and that is a good thing. It is appropriate for many reasons.
Enjoyed the video. Many ways to learn. Written (Books, manuals, bulletins, etc.), and videos (ex. TH-cam) combined with "Learning by doing" will get you there. That is if you have the right attitude, desire and enthusiasm. If you "take" to something (I love to climb and work a tree), if you really love it you will learn quickly AND continue to learn, to absorb more and more knowledge regarding your endeavor. If you think you know it all....or you're not that enthused with your Job or hobby (your endeavor), you will fail in one way or another. JMHO Good talk, Patrick.
@@havespurswillclimb now, leave your spurs on the ground😁
@@arboristBlairGlenn Huh????
I learnt pretty quick to stay humble and not think that i know best. Humility has kept me out of some bad situations and kept me open to different opinions. We're all on the same team after all, and the best decion is an informed decision 😁
Im only still young and what frustrates me the most in my climbing is simply a lack of experience, so i always try to stay quiet when someone is telling me something, even when i think i already know. 🤙
That's good Patrick. You're right we never should stop learning especially in this business you have to keep learning the new technology that's out since I started out is mind blowing to me.
Thanks for sharing Patrick! My dad and uncles grew up on cross cut saws and loaded log trucks by rolling logs which were drug up by mules, up on polls. Boy would they have loved all the climbing gear available today.
Even though they were very good at what they did then with what they had, a dead tree almost killed my uncle 5 years ago.
He assumed his son in law would pull a big 30 inch red oak over gently with the tractor, next to his house when he gave him the go. Instead he jerked it so hard, scared it would fall on the house and a ginormous limb fell out and broke a my uncles femur. He then fell on a farm attachment near by which punched a hole in his skull.
My dad had just arrived in time to find his younger brother unconscious on his birthday trip to Tennessee where he had built his retirement home in the area near where he was born old school, at home where they boiled water, for whatever reason they boiled water I have no clue.
Next he had to find a place in those mountains where life flight could land and try and save his brother. Uncle Joe made it but recovery was like a year long, and a blow like that takes part of you that never returns.
Sometimes the mistake can be trusting a helper just a little too much!
Or is it not understanding the danger of a dead tree enough to make damn sure that the helper pulls that tree slow and easy, so as to not break out any of those big deadly limbs?
That's a powerful reminder that when it goes bad, it goes really bad really fast... Thanks for sharing. - Patrick
Your thought around 4:30 - 6:50 : Fair enough, but we also shouldn't feel like we have to reinvent the wheel each time we have a job to do. That (can) creates more problems than it solves. We don't need to know/use every way to solve a problem if the outcome is the same. Not to say we should at least research/know about them. At some there is a way that is the best for you, for your team, your gear and for the situation.
Hell of a job Pat!
When You teach that's when You really Learn About Your Work! I'm a Working Climber at the Age of 72 and Still Always willing To Learn New Tricks Of The Trade! Appreciate Your Willingness To Share!!
@@richardf9137 I’m 71, still climb 4 to 5 days a week. Started in 1973
Blair
Thanks patrick much respect ✊️
Thank you, Sir
There are dozens of TH-cam creators showing how to do tree work, this is just your particular version, no one should be calling you out. You mainly addressed people that already work in the field (or plan to), I would say a good chunk of your audience will never do tree work except on their own property, what do you say to them? I have liked your approach from the beginning, creating content and teaching makes you think about what you are doing and how you can improve so keep it up, I'm looking forward to seeing you evolve. I learned quite a bit from your rigging videos that I put into practice. Also one thing I learned from watching tree climbing competitions is the use of the Petzl Asap as a backup. I think anyone taking on their own treework should have a redundant safety line, there is very little room for mistakes, especially if there is no expert watching you and warning you when you are doing the wrong thing. Thanks for your content!
Pat I am a 65 year old climber and all
Videos have been very good , I really did not see anything wrong with what u do
I had an ego thought I knew it all and one day that changed as I got older and realized that I didn't and I became humble and I'm just like I don't know everything and I'm always striving to learn and I'm very obsessed with tree work n love it
I have known and watched and hired 80 years worth of guys like you who are learning with other climbers. Don't beat yourself up over comments from people who don't even have a clue or know jack. Somewhere along the line one of them will be telling you when to change your underwear! 🤣
You have a great character and mindset & your journey is your's alone. Keep your spirit and humility and be safe on your journey❤🙏
Again this is me chiming in,I’m learning everyday but ,not the same as someone that’s in this a long time .i rather watch you august,reg,even that young guy zacceaus,and I think someone reg Coates would be the person for example to set the bar along with you and august and Jacob R.but just remember there people just as good with high standards that are not visible on utube ,even they will tell you I’m still learning.one of the most humble people Billy ray smith will tell you be kind to everyone and keep learning.
I know a few guys who contract climb and learned exclusively from TH-cam. I think it's not very hard to learn how to safely do this job it just takes practice and experience. You can actually know a lot but not be able to put that into practice without doing it a lot. The benefit of learning at a company is you can not be 100% responsible for anything that happens while you're gaining that experience. I personally learned doing free work for property owners with farm trees that don't endanger anything
👍❤️👍
"you don't know what you don't know until you Know! Stay humble and prosper tree people!!
Unless you are a rookie & very young, you have to have some cowboy in you. I definitely have that cowboy inside me, but I try to NEVER bring him out. These days I try to use my knowledge & skill, instead of being brave & ballzy😎👍
STAY SAFE BROTHER
Bring back the podcast!
Anyone in western mass area willing to teach me😊
FIRST! ONTO THE SHOW!
According to him we are TH-cam students Lol 😂
I mean the focus should be the Tree and his phisiology not the climbing. Respekt for Sports and racing anyway "tree climbing" is for me a method (sometimes the only one) to give care to plants and environment. We should reach out solutions for specifical plant problem not "simply" to improve our climbers skills and proud. Thanx.
Don't listen to internet comments. Some people make such complaints because they themselves lack technical skills. I have met many narcissistic tree workers that get really defensive when you know something they don't.
I had same issue as a Rough Framer carpenter. I learned trig and surpassed others and it resulted in them becoming resentful.
Compared to other channels, particularly other arborist channels, I've not seen a whole lot of negative feedback on you. As at group the guys in your trade seem to attract ego. Often one can shrug off snide remarks that are off base, but I can see how the author may take some of it personally. You gotta have thick skin if you play this TH-cam game.
"ok at tree work" give yourself more credit dude. You're like top 5% of climbers at least. I'd call you a rigging expert actually haha