Hello, new to the board

Well been a peeping tom for a while and decided to join. I live in Derry, NH and tride taking a swing at rock climbing. It was hard because of my size. Not overweight just bigger than the average climber. So I started researching and studying and got into tree climbing. Wich is so much easier on the hands. I am a newbie and everything I have learned was by book. And some minor rope skills in the service. Up until now I have been using ascenders and working on my friction knots. I use CMI, and Fisk for a descender. I hope to be able to learn to climb using just ropes, knots, and my saddle. I am taking it slow though. For my job I am a Forensic Autopsy Asst., and a Paramedic. I wholesale reptiles as a hooby and for extra cash. I hopefully will be doing some part time tree work to learn from some pros, better than I can teach myself. Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself. great board.

Dave

Greetings Dave, welcome to the board. I used to spend my summers around Sutton and New London, and Lake Sunapee (Sp?). Beautiful country up there.

-Harv

Tell me more about your reptiles. I used to hunt snakes until I brought home the wrong specie- a baby poisonious water snake. I had to then go to turtles and lizards.

This is a good place to ask questions and find like minded people in your area. Don't be afraid to converse here. We are a good hearted community here.

I am glad to have some pros I can ask questions to once I get some more knowledge. I am just tryng to prefect my knots right now. BURN them into memory.
As for the reptiles....I specialize in hot work. Those little ones will get you everytime too. GA area it could have been one of a few species. I was in Columbus and Savannah GA for a while. I love the South. Buying a place in KY as we speak. Can't afford it up here anymore and the climate is alot better for my latter hobby. here is a bite to my ugly mug from a Canebrake. Maybe 4 hours after. Its not a joke. I am not the Croc hunter and was thinking I was that day. I learned. Have some other good pics too, and have qutie a selection. Well thanks again for the welcome. I look forward to learning from you all and enjoying the sport.

Dave

Hey Dave.

Welcome...just keep your snakes at home!

We saw a King on a tree near where we were going to climb two weekends ago. I had set the ropes, and hike out to retrieve my climb partner...on the way back in he says "STOP, STOP" Sure enough that sucker was about 10' away from my rope... I imagined him introducing himself to my XTC while I was away, I like snakes, but not near my rope...I'll look before I ascend again!

Welcome! Climb Safe!
Icabod

Hello,
I am just cheking out this MB, I came here a few months ago and it was going to cost some $$. So I ran, and ran, and ran but when you run far enough you come back to where you started. I've been checking out some of the other message boards which are free and got alot of great advice. So I suppose I will now be spending a few hours getting myself familiar with you guys and gals (are there any gals in tree climbing?). Thanks for opening the MB up to the public.

Lichen

I took the Basic Tree Climbing Course from Genevieve Summers (a woman). She is a fabulous and patient instructor. Her site is www.dancingwithtrees.com
Robert