USFS rigging workshop

Burnham · Mar 18, 2009

We have several different endorsement categories to certify climbers to use chainsaws aloft. The most advanced one is our EC-4, for advanced rigging and heavy wood removal. Last week was a multi-region workshop for training and certification in this skillset that is most of y'alls bread and butter.

A few pics, nothing to write home about.

MasterBlaster · Mar 18, 2009

Cool. I wonder if I would pass the course?

Burnham · Mar 18, 2009

Without a doubt, Butch...hands down anyone here who works regularly in treework would.

Tucker943 · Mar 18, 2009

Those last pics perfectly capture my weak spot. I do not like lowering the tops out of conifers. I will do it, but I HATE it. I dont know why, but that of all tasks in my 6 days a week of climbing, really rattles my cage.

SkwerI · Mar 18, 2009

I'm ok rigging tops, but what freaks me out is rigging big wood off itself while I'm tied into the same spar. I've only had to do it a couple times and avoid it at all costs.

Tucker943 · Mar 18, 2009

I'm quite the contrary.....riggin big wood off itself while I'm wired in right there at the lowering block doesnt spook me in the least. Unless of course the spar is SERIOUSLY compromised.

inztrees · Mar 18, 2009

looks like a nice class and great photos

CurSedVoyce · Mar 18, 2009

I would love to take a class with you Burnam... I consider those guys rather fortunate benefiting from your years of training and experience. Let alone people like your self.
Great pics.

stehansen · Mar 18, 2009

Cool Burnham. Sounds fun.

Frans · Mar 18, 2009

Good job Burny. Our profession can only benefit from your involvement

Are you sure this is not a pix of 'Ol Monkey?

Bodean · Mar 18, 2009

That does resemble Old Monkey

pantheraba · Mar 18, 2009

Re: that last picture...I got the impression somewhere along the line that FS climbers wore suspenders/chest harness as part of their standard climbing gear. I didn't see any on that climber...maybe I misunderstood something in the past? Maybe that's just part of your personal setup?

Old Monkey · Mar 18, 2009

It didn't look anything like me, I have Stihl hanging off my butt.

Burnham · Mar 19, 2009

pantheraba said:
Re: that last picture...I got the impression somewhere along the line that FS climbers wore suspenders/chest harness as part of their standard climbing gear. I didn't see any on that climber...maybe I misunderstood something in the past? Maybe that's just part of your personal setup?

No Gary, you remember correctly. Chest harness is integral to our SOP. The Smokejumpers have adopted the practice of wearing their chest harness under their outer shirt, to keep it from hanging up in the tree or conflicting with their other gear. At least, that's what they tell me...I don't check under their clothes

. I'm certainly not the treeclimbing police

.

Recall, we require the chest harness soley to facilitate an areial rescue, so as long as a rescuer can access it by opening up an outer garment, it's satisfactory.

I wear mine outside, except for cold weather/raingear outer jackets.

Burnham · Mar 19, 2009

Frans said:
Good job Burny. Our profession can only benefit from your involvement

Are you sure this is not a pix of 'Ol Monkey?

Nah...Ralph is about half Darin's size. That's him in the first pic, too.

gf beranek · Mar 19, 2009

It all looks very professional.

Blinky · Mar 20, 2009

Looks like a fun workshop, when ya gonna do one in NC?

I don't mind lowering pine tops... it's pitching them and waiting to see what kind of ride I'm gonna get when the rope stops that bugs me.

When I rig off the same wood I'm tied into, I take smaller pieces.

vharrison · Mar 20, 2009

Burn, you have the best job.

Bounce · Mar 20, 2009

Seriously Burnham, what does a guy have to do to get into one of these workshops?

Burnham · Mar 22, 2009

To be eligible for any of the USFS treeclimbing training one must work for the Forest Service, or another federal, state, county, municipal agency, or federally recognized tribal gov't. We also accept employees of state universities and colleges, and volunteers to any of these organizations that have a formal volunteer agreement in writing.

Two things in play with these requirements...first is liability-gov't organizations accept liability for their employees and volunteers as a matter of law. Second is Congressional decree that our training not be excessively competitive with private industry offering similar opportunities.

To qualify for the EC-4 course, we require full USFS treeclimbing certification and USFS "C" sawyer certification as pre-requisites.

sotc · Mar 22, 2009

Pretty high standards.

Bodean · Mar 22, 2009

What about Presidio Trust?

I think we're an agency though my pay scale is AD-00.

Burnham · Mar 22, 2009

sotc said:
Pretty high standards.

Yeah, riiiiiight.

I don't get to make the rules on this.

Besides, most any of the working tree guys and gals here would not be challenged by our climbing trainings at all...more likely be bored.

Now the sawyer training for "C" cert. under Doug Dent...that might be a different story.

Bodean · Mar 22, 2009

I'd like to try out for the C faller. But that would require working in the FS again right?

sotc · Mar 22, 2009

Thats what i meant, i've heard you go on and on about that cert!

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