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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,810
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,810 |
In the late 1970�s, I was an R&D Program Manager for new navigation technologies and applications. We were running tests of a new system which required installing an antenna at the top of a 550� LORAN tower north of Jupiter, Florida. I timed my inspection visit to coincide with the installation and had authorization to accompany the Coast Guard installers. I arrived the day before the climb so I could be briefed on the climb and the safety procedures.
It would take over an hour to climb the tower so we had to check all the gear, equipment and tools before we left the ground (�Hey George, I forgot the �� box wrench, would you mind going back down and bringing it up?�). Each of us would have carried 35 pounds of tools and equipment on the climb. I was given an empty 1 liter soft drink bottle to use as a rest room, and checked out in a safety harness that buckled onto safety stops so your fall was limited to 8 feet or so.
On the morning of the climb, a thunderstorm was forecast, so the climb was postponed. I had to leave and have always regretted missing the climb and the view!
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,810
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,810 |
I've climbed This 865' tower. 3 times to the top. I stopped by Devils Tower in 1961 on my way to Glacier NP. Most impressive! My hat's off to you for climbing it, especially 3 times!
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,950 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,950 Likes: 6 |
When I was 21 I climbed hand over hand down a 190 foot 1/2" cable. About half way down I stopped to admire my location.
There is quite the story to that.
"Only Christ is the fullness of God's revelation." Everyday Hunter
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 35
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 35 |
Tell the engineer that he will have to climb down and back up with the air pack on before it can be certified by use for any employees. If he can't do it, you don't pay him.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 35
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 35 |
Double tap.
Last edited by Wevil; 01/02/10. Reason: Double tap.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 13,065
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 13,065 |
I've been to the top of Mt Mitchell , except for an airplane it's the tallest thing we got east of the Mississippi
Mike
Always talk to the old guys , they know stuff.
Jerry Miculek
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,810
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,810 |
Tell the engineer that he will have to climb down and back up with the air pack on before it can be certified by use for any employees. If he can't do it, you don't pay him. That's one way to make him think out the problem!
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 14,999
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 14,999 |
Once I put in nearly all night climbing what I thought surely was the world's tallest ladder 'till I sobered up enough to realize that I was crawling on a railroad track. Quite an experience.
The Mayans had it right. If you�re going to predict the future, it�s best to aim far beyond your life expectancy, lest you wind up red-faced in a bunker overstocked with Spam and ammo.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,539
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,539 |
I was a lineman for 32yrs. I've climbed 115' poles with hooks. My best story is the old guy that they asked to change the bulbs in a 300' tower. His answer was, sure, just lay it down.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12,167 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12,167 Likes: 5 |
I believe a lot of the guys came from a particular indian tribe...not sure if they had a natural tollerance of heights or whether it was for some other reason?
Regards,
Peter
Peter; We knew a chap who worked the high steel in the '70's. He said he was the only Saskatchewan boy out there at that time. I seem to recall him saying many of his work mates were either Mohawks or Newfoundlanders. I'm sorry that I can't even guess why that might have been, but that is what I recall him saying at that time. Perhaps someone else can help out as to why those two groups were drawn to that line of work? Regards, Dwayne
The most important stuff in life isn't "stuff"
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,995
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,995 |
Yeah,I could climb it!Might have to stop and catch my breath once or twice.Once you get off the ground,you get used to it,sometimes you even forget how high you are.Working like that everyday,and seeing others do it kinda takes the fear away.I'm a lineman and work off the ground everyday,but not near that high! Lightman
lightman
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,725
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,725 |
I like heights. They are peaceful. I got to walk on the Golden Gate Bridge. Not only on the road, but also on the cables.
I'm Libertarian for these 3 reasons:
1.) I'm American 2.) I'm not insane enough to be Democrat 3.) I'm not wussy enough to be Republican
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,539
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,539 |
Hey lightman, when I started we didn't have have buckets and didn't glove. Many times I have seen a cloud float over in the background when working with sticks, and grab the pole thinking that it was falling. I climbed poles for years, but I'm still afraid of heights.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,185 Likes: 3
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,185 Likes: 3 |
I've climbed a 700 foot ladder. Talk about the ultimate deer stand...
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69 Pro-Constitution. LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 973
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 973 |
Worked on a 485ft steel tower over looking the Columbia river. Man what a view... The falling feeling when clouds fly over never goes away, you get used to it.
nash
Last edited by nash22; 01/03/10.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,332 Likes: 11
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,332 Likes: 11 |
The longest I've climbed is about 200 ft--when I got to the top I had to rig up and hang in a bosun's chair.........
Casey
Casey
Not being married to any particular political party sure makes it a lot easier to look at the world more objectively... Having said that, MAGA.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 314
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 314 |
I've climbed This 865' tower. 3 times to the top. I stopped by Devils Tower in 1961 on my way to Glacier NP. Most impressive! My hat's off to you for climbing it, especially 3 times! Well it was on the easiest route there, but DT is cool! One of those times was in Aug. I could hear all the Harleys on their way to Sturgis out on the hiway.
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?
Sherlock Holmes
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,995
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,995 |
Croldfort,Yeah,I've been fooled when looking up at the clouds when they are moving and I'm not.You can't help but to grab for something.When I first started,we still serviced our own radio tower and river crossing tower lights.That duty usually went to the young guys,which I was at one time.Several of those towers were taller that the ladder in this post.Are you retired?Miss it? Lightman
lightman
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,539
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,539 |
Yeah, I'm retired and I don't miss a minute of the phone ringing in the middle of a stormy night. I retired in 1999 at age 55. I hired on in 1967. The sad thing about retiring is that all the old guys that you want to be at the retirement party are already gone. Hey, there is a great old movie called "Slim" about a lineman. It was made in 1937 starring Henry Fonda, Jane Wyman, and Pat O'Brien. Outstanding, if you can find it. Good luck.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,995
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,995 |
I've seen it,it is a great movie.I probably can't go at 55,but am still looking foreward to it someday.Know what you mean about the party,all of the guys that trained me are gone,now I'm an old fart.Was good to talk with you,stay in touch, Pete
lightman
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