Abstract: A pole climbing apparatus for use in installation and repair of telephone lines and the like comprising an upper work platform and a lower climbing platform wherein the upper work platform includes an upper base plate for positioning substantially horizontally against a pole having a first upper pole engaging element formed on the inner portion thereof and a second upper pole engaging element coupled to the upper base plate by an upper interconnecting element comprising a pair of substantially parallel upper interconnecting members extending from the midportion of opposite sides of the upper base plate to opposite sides of the second upper pole engaging element and the lower climbing platform includes a lower base plate for positioning substantially horizontally against the pole below the upper work platform having a first lower pole engaging element formed on the inner portion of the lower base plate and a second lower pole engaging element coupled to the lower base plate by a lower interconnecting element c