Tree Climbing

Recreational tree climbing is climbing up into the branches of a big tree using ropes, a harness and a helmet. It borrows the rope techniques arborists (the people who care for and work on trees) use to move safely around the canopy. You climb at your own pace, rest whenever you like and explore the tree from the inside.

Good tree climbing is respectful climbing. Climbers stick to strong, healthy branches, protect the bark where ropes run over it and never use the metal spikes some tree workers wear on their boots. The tree should look exactly the same after you've been up it.

First, a rope has to get up there. Climbers usually do this with a throw bag, a small weighted bag on a thin line that gets tossed over a high branch and used to pull the climbing rope up after it. Getting a good throw is a skill in itself.

You wear a climbing harness and helmet, and the harness connects to the rope with carabiners and a friction hitch. That's a special knot that grips the rope when you let go and slides when you move it, so you can inch upwards and stop for a breather any time.

Experienced climbers talk about double rope technique and single rope technique, which are two different ways of setting up the rope. Up in the branches, a short strap called a lanyard keeps you attached as you move around. Some trees are rigged with hammocks, tree tents or pulley systems, which is where things start getting fancy.

It all starts on the ground with a safety briefing. Your Activity Leader fits your helmet and harness, then shows you how the rope and hitch work. The first few moves are low down, getting used to sitting back into your harness and trusting the rope to hold you. Spoiler: it does.

Then it's up you go, one push at a time. There's someone keeping an eye on you the whole way, and when you're ready to come down, you're lowered gently back to the ground.

Most people haven't, which is exactly why it's so much fun. You don't need to be strong or sporty. The hitch does a lot of the work, and you can rest in your harness whenever you like. It's a brilliant way to get over a wobble about heights, because you're in control of the pace from start to finish. Plus, there's nothing quite like sitting in the top of a tree and realising you got yourself up there.

Trousers or shorts that feel comfy under a harness, a top you can move in and closed-toe shoes with decent grip. Tie long hair back with a hairband. Leave jewellery and anything in your pockets on the ground, as nobody below wants a set of keys dropping on them from the canopy.

You might also like Climbing Wall, Tree Canopy Gondola and Tree Nets.

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