| > | | | | hand, you may want to use cambium savers. |
| Tree climbing is an exciting way to stay fit and | | | | They protect trees with thin bark from rope |
| active. High above the ground, maybe in mid-air, | | | | friction. This will depend upon the tree you choose. |
| your whole perspective changes. If you know | | | | And, please, don't willingly injure a tree, especially |
| what gear you need, how to protect and not | | | | by using leg spikes or any other implement that |
| damage trees, if you know how to climb them | | | | you know must damage the tree in order to be |
| safely, imagine the heights you could reach. The | | | | used (such as a gaff). You don't want to go |
| peace you may find. And you don't have to be an | | | | around leaving injured trees in your wake. Honor |
| athlete to do it! | | | | the sport, respect the tree. |
| Climbing trees was such a favorite of mine when | | | | There may be times that you'll need to trim |
| I was really young. What is it about not touching | | | | some branches just a bit. Use caution, especially |
| the ground that's so exciting? The higher I went, | | | | with dead branches. Make sure that all climbers |
| the better the climb. Of course, even at that | | | | are standing clear. Falling branches should drop |
| young age, I was very aware that I was taking | | | | unhindered all the way to the ground. Maybe you |
| my life into my own hands. How wonderful it is | | | | could use those trimmed branches as a landfill in |
| now that I'm able to climb with ropes. How | | | | adjacent areas. |
| amazing it is to know that I can safely climb the | | | | Be watchful of living things in old growth trees. |
| tallest tree without risking my life. | | | | Special plant communities may be found |
| Tree climbing means ascending a tree and moving | | | | anywhere on or near the tree. Do not disturb |
| around up in the canopy. Many people aren't even | | | | them. Nesting animals and their actual nests must |
| aware that it's an actual sport. But then, it's only | | | | be left alone. Be attentive of ground cover |
| been recognized as one in the last 20 years. Your | | | | beneath and around trees. Take care not to |
| bare requirements are a rope, a harness and a | | | | damage what may be delicate or rare plants. |
| helmet. That's it. And you don't have to worry if | | | | When it's time to ascend, you'll have some |
| you aren't athletically fit. If you can skip or hop, | | | | choices. If you want to be a free climber and not |
| you can tree climb. Even a minimally fit person | | | | just a tree climber (ha!), the rope will be attached |
| can do it. And it's such fun! | | | | to you but only as a safety measure in case you |
| There are some really good advantages to tree | | | | fall. You'll get no help from it. As a free solo |
| climbing. It's a great way to exercise. You'll | | | | climber, ropes are used not at all. I repeat: Not at |
| probably discover muscle groups you've never | | | | all. Your life is literally in your own hands. But |
| noticed before. If you've got nice trees in your | | | | you've only just decided to become a tree |
| area and a good number of them, your scenery | | | | climber so you won't go there. Your focus is on |
| will keep changing. That'll add some excitement to | | | | tree climbing with ropes. |
| the workout. No boredom there. High above the | | | | There are three basic techniques for tree climbing |
| ground, maybe in mid-air, your whole perspective | | | | with ropes. There is the single rope technique |
| changes. Surely, at birds-eye view, the world is a | | | | (SRT), the double rope technique (DRT) and the |
| different place. Who knows what you may realize | | | | lead climbing technique. In SRT, a throw line is |
| about your life just by climbing a tree. And except | | | | used to reach a high branch. The climbing rope is |
| for your initial investment in gear, there really isn't | | | | then hauled over that branch and secured in place. |
| much else to spend your money on. You don't | | | | You then ascend the climbing rope. With DRT, a |
| have to spend extra money to use a climbing | | | | high branch is attained using SRT. Then both ends |
| structure. Trees are all around us, almost | | | | of the climbing rope are attached to the climber |
| anywhere, at any time of the year. | | | | with a sequence of climbing knots throughout |
| Because you'll be directly working with a large | | | | (makes climbing much easier). A tug in either |
| living thing, certain rules, or safety measures, | | | | direction will move the climber. Using a modified |
| must be followed to respect that life, and to | | | | Blake's hitch for the main knot, the climber only |
| honor the sport. The most important rules involve | | | | has to let go of the rope to stop in place. Very |
| yourself. Be "on rope" every step of the way. | | | | cool. The lead climbing technique involves a lead |
| That is, stay connected to your rope. Never | | | | climber who ascends the tree as a free climber. |
| forget the fall. And don't just rely on yourself to | | | | Along the way, protection points are set up as |
| learn how to do it. Get training from a qualified | | | | slings banded around the tree's limbs. At the top, |
| instructor. Wear the right gear and have the right | | | | the lead climber can set up a belay (top rope) for |
| equipmenthowever basic it may be. Don't climb | | | | other climbers to ascend. If not, the lead climber |
| trees with branches near power lines. Just don't | | | | simply rappels down. |
| risk it. Electrocution is a tragic sign of complete | | | | Tree climbing is an exciting way to stay fit and |
| disregard for one's safety. It is entirely avoidable. | | | | active. It's also quite peaceful and, somehow, |
| Protecting the tree and its natural surroundings | | | | rejuvenating once you're up in the canopy. If you |
| require their own safety measures. When you | | | | know what gear you need, how to protect and |
| decide to climb a tree, you must inspect it | | | | not damage trees, if you know how to climb |
| thoroughly for any signs of danger or weakness | | | | them safely, imagine the heights you could reach. |
| before you climb. If you notice that something | | | | The peace you may find. Trees are wondrous |
| seems wrong, move on. If it's a go, on the other | | | | and life-giving. Enjoy them and be careful up there! |