Winter Climbing... On the Coldest Day So Far

I was working just on the edge of Lasalle this week. It was cold- really cold. There was a fence at the back of the yard, and a not-too-high Jack Pine that was in decline, that also had to be removed. It was a climbing job- the tree was over some nice landscaping and a pergola, so up I went.

When I got past level of the fence height, the wind hit me. It was cold up there. There's a saying that I like to tell my boys:

I think the first time I heard that I was finishing up with the Army, and heading out West to go be a climber. I was reading Mark Twight's book Kiss or Kill. He was this punk-rock alpine and ice climber in the late-eighties and early nineties, and put up some serious climbs with Canadian alpinist Barry Blanchard and sometimes a young (at the time) Steve House.

I don't remember about what climb he was on when he came up with the quote but reading about his outings, and the suffering he endured... well...

Climbing arborists don't exactly endure that level of privation on a daily basis, but our work can be tough, and it can be dangerous, and when it's -23C it can be very uncomfortable. As well, it isn't some monthly, annual or lifetime highlight. Fact is, tree work is something that we have to do, most days, in order to pay the bills.

No, for cold weather climbing, my tastes have changed in the past few years and my budget is very different now, with 3 boys to feed, than it was when I was a bachelor ice climber living out West in the mountains and working Forestry. I had a few more dollars then, living in the back of my truck ... which was really awesome, even on the coldest days.

I did learn a bit about clothing and cold weather, and here are a few tips I like to keep in mind. Most are self evident, but:

1. Layer up for the task.

2. Never over dress. Peel a layer off before you get warm. Sweat clings and chills you know matter how fancy that merino wool under-layer might be.

3. Get good gloves... not expensive gloves. I can recommend the Home Hardware Benchmark Thermal Gloves (black, rubberized). They blow the socks off my OR Ice Climbing Gloves and they are, like, 9 dollars.

4. Get a neck warmer. Fred might have made Ascots rad, but winter tree work makes them essential.

5. Form fitting summer climbing boots are not your friend. Swap those Arbro Evos for some roomy work boots with good wool socks.

6. Get a light toque that keeps your helmet and earmuffs fitting properly- anything else and, likely, by the end of the winter you'll be deaf.

So that's the layering. As an arborist, and speaking to any arborist who might read this, remember that it is also important to try and do the 'low' trees in the cold weather. Conifers aren't too bad- you're on your feet most of the climb, and you can even remove in the lee of the wind, and then when you really have to commit, open up the other side of the brush in order to maximize your time behind some kind of shelter.

I took real care to leave the side of the tree sheltering me from the tundra to the last, because when I finally brushed the tree out, then the wind hit me full on and I got real cold, real quick.

So, be cool, keep warm, and enjoy likely the coldest days of the year, this week. And, here's a final pic to remember that summer will come, someday...