Been climbing for 33 years, not to many newbies use them, can't climb like I used to 30 to 40 back in my younger days, we didn't have the use of buckets then, still use them its easier then dragging a ladder up an easement 100 yards off the road, if you have any co-ordination shouldn't be a problem , start out easy up 6' and down, around the pole and down a little further each time, keep your ass away from the pole and your gaffs will stay in the minute you go into the pole your going down, good luck, old school still rules.