40 Ft Ladder..... Lost my Nerve

[scott_vt]

Good Evenin Guys,
Well everyone is probablly wondering why I havent done much on my plow rebuild project, but I have been sidelined on trying to keep up with all the house chores !

A little history for everyone, I built the Ct house in 1982. After I first built it I would stain the whole house every 4 yrs. Then I started to feel a bit old these past few years and started staining one side every year ! This has worked out quite well but this year on the west side getting all the way up on my 40 ft ladder I just didnt feel comfortable ! Im 56 and in good health, 5 ft 10" by 180 lbs and can still walk 10 miles in the woods, so not too overweight ! I have obviously lost my nerve, I did for the record get the peak done but not without holding on for dear life ! I have been doing this job forever but I think my days are numbered doing this job much longer ! Talking with my buddy who works part time at HD today, he informed me that HD no longer carries a 40 ft ladder Gee that made me feel good !

So just thought I would let everyone know that Im still with the ranks of the living, and perserved through this project to the end ! Anyone else out there have this acquired fobia ? Never seemed to bother me in the past but somethin just changed !

 

[WayneB]

Scotty, you seem to have a bit more room with the ladder to raise it up to get to the peak, although I am sure you have already done that.

I know the feeling as I have one section of our house that is like that, three stories high and I just don't have what it takes to climb up there and finish the job. Needs to be done so it is up the ladder soon.

Your stain looks great by the way.

Wayne

 

[DieselPower]

Have you considered renting one of those powered handy lifts from a rental center. Saves all the walking up and down a ladder and make for a nice work platform.

You would be welcome to come over to my house and climb my 140 foot HAM antenna tower for practice if you like. I had to climb it early last year and install a new antenna. I forgot how much those things sway in the wind.

 

[TC29-dude]

I grew up near an old flooded quarry that had 65' cliffs and 80' deep water.
I used to run off that cliff and feel like I was flying! It was a blast.

Fast forward 25 years...I can't get near the edge of the thing without getting the willies. Maybe the common sense gene finally kicked in.

 

[Lloyd_E]

Hey Scott,

You have my curse. Is that benjamine moore red barn opaque stain? We did our house with it and every 5 years I restain. It fades to a pretty pink. I use a sprayer now - a lot faster. Don't like the gable peaks any more. And to think, in my youngr days I used to like rock/cliff climbing.

Lloyd

 

[TBDonnelly]

Scottie,

I think your supposed to take the German Pain Killer after the work, not before.

I have a wood 40 foot ladder that was given to me. Only been on it once. Does that ladder have some bounce to it.

Don

 

[Ductape]

Scotty..... i feel your pain. I think my knuckles are still sore from clinging to the top of my forty footer LAST summer. I still couldn't get everything, and had to attach my paintbrush to a stick and swing that around up there. I'm now painting my sister's house. I made them rent a lift from the Depot. Much more expensive than just pulling out a ladder you already own, but IMO, much safer. Even the lift is a bit spooky when being up three + stories, but you get used to the swaying.

 

[Double Orange]

Scott, Been There!! The good news is ...take it apart and you have.... His and Hers ...20 footers!!
Who says we don't think of our wives!!

P.S. Ladders make terrible anniversary presents to the wives!! Trust me on that one!!

 

[RobertN]

I have obviously lost my nerve, I did for the record get the peak done but not without holding on for dear life ! I have been doing this job forever but I think my days are numbered doing this job much longer !

I have found I do not like most ladders now. The ones on our Engines are pretty stout; most homeowner ladders, unless the really expensive ones, aint as stout. We did a 50' ladder a couple years ago on training. It was kinda spooky going up there, especially in full gear. Then we locked our leg in, let go with our hands, and leaned waaay back. That was a bit nervy, even though we had four people stabilizing the ladder, plus it had extra support poles to the side.

We're talking about brining the 110' ladder truck from another station in our district, for training soon. Our full-time Captian talked about us volunteers climbing the whole ladder, and flowing water. He said when you're up there, and turn the nozzle on, it moves the ladder 4-6'. When you turn it off, or go to a wide fog pattern, it moves back 4-6'. I dunno... I am guessing we'll all do it; the city guys spend hours up there sometimes on big fires...

If I go up a ladder, it better be a good stout one

 

[Cottonhawk]

Scotty,
If it does not feel safe it is not safe!
Injuries are something none of us can afford to have. If you must get up there to finish the job, I think that the lift rental is much less expensive than hospital bills.
Please stay safe.