I know this is mountain project and not "tree" project, but just wondering if anyone's passion for climbing extends to the tops of trees as well?

Yes and no. Did it professionally (or unprofessionally, depending on who you ask) for a couple years. I enjoy tree climbing sans gear, but as far as technical tree climbing for its own sake? Nah, it's kind of like rappelling-more of a necessary evil on an occasional basis. Unimpeachable Groping out in Red Rock has a tree climb start, worth checking out.

I'm a professional arborist and I can assure you it is a lot more involved than rappelling, obviously you were not a " professional". To the original poster, why do you ask? Tree climbing is a lot different than rock climbing in a lot of ways, nothing is a guarantee up high in a tree and you have to constantly be evaluating risk and with that being overly cautious results in very little production, so knowing differences between different types of trees plays a big role, for example an ash limb 4 " in diameter may be safe to walk out on, but that may not be the case with a cottonwood. There are also many factors like rot disease, and insects that can affect the structural integrity of the tree. I don't believe that tree climbing as a hoppy is more dangerous than rock climbing, but as a job with production in mind I'm forced to take more risks than I do rock climbing. It's fun, but it's also a lot of work.

Also ace tree care out of Australia and patriot tree out of Louisville Colorado have some great videos on YouTube if you want to see some top tree climbers in action, also if you search either ISA orTCIA climbing competitions they'll have some more neat videos

www.blueskytreeguy.com

Check out the videos, I think there's one of Killis.

Yeah, um, rich-I don't think anyone else got the "all there is to tree climbing is rappelling" vibe you did. Take your Ritalin, Garth.

To clarify: tree climbing utilizing gear and rappelling are both, in my view, mild pains in the ass that are part and parcel of a life lived in the vertical. Neither are the safest or most pleasant uses I've found for my time, but they both fit into the big picture from time to time.

In regards to the OP, again, I did it for money for 2 years. I've shot bags with string lines into trees 100+feet tall, jugged ropes I *hoped* were set over solid branches, used up to a four-footer Husky to hack off huge limbs, ridden a crane wrecking ball into a tree to secure it for hauling up a steep hill after felling, etc. I also saw monster spiders you don't ever want to know about inside rotten trunks. When you're in a tree with a chainsaw five days a week for two years, I'd say you've earned the right to an opinion.

Arbor culture to me is weird like rappel culture is. But all the arbor dorks back east thought my weekends at Seneca and Linville were total batshit crazy nonsense, so it's tit for tat.

Whatever turns you on.

Hahaha, sensitive much? I just re-read my post and you guys act like I attacked someone all I said is that if that's as simple as you break it down to be than you obviously haven't spent much time in trees (which I believe you said yourself and happens to be the truth) so where did I step out of line?

i love to climb trees for the hell of it and have been getting more into cutting/felling in the past year or so.

My company harvests tree taken down in and around the nyc area and we mill and dry the lumber for fine furniture/cabinet making.

so basically all my saws are way to big to go up a tree, think ported 395xp w/42" b/c.

but i can definitely see the joy of being "out on a limb" with a little t200.

there's a climb somewhere in the gunks with a good piton in a tree...

Did it for a year when I was younger and for a couple more recently. You do find lots of wierd shit inside of felled trees. These guys made it to the wildlife rehab.
<<< Invalid image id: 107612658 >>>

Put down the squirl Hank!

To the orignal poster;
I climb trees. My favorite being a 100' tall oak tree.
Always tried to get someone to ascend with me and do an open air rappel. Nobody ever does though. I like the top of the trees it's like a dreamscape.

Lots of the gear is the same. Mostly static ropes for tree climbing.
Ascenders are identical. Tree climbing rope work is more techy. Lots of lower outs or redirections. Tyroleans too. Tons of different kinds of rope bags. Stainless carabiners, high quality pully systems, super comfy seat harnesses(not intended for catching leadclimbing falls!), zip lines, flip lines, rope grabs, swivels, rigging plates, rappel rings, all the cool stuff. Fun stuff. Love it.

Worked as a tree climber for some sketchy guy in salt lake for a few weeks. He knew I was a rock climber and put me on projects with almost no training. I survived, but it was sketchy. Hanging from small limbs, toting a big chainsaw...being basically clueless about being an arborist in general...

That being said it was also super fun. But I quit a few weeks into it because I wasn't crazy about it. I'll stick to rock

Killis, why are you always ruining other peoples threads?

Should you make your own topic with something interesting worth reading. I hope so.

Just got back from two weeks climbing Giant Sequoias in California and saw this thread, so I had to post. Mostly I climb rocks (and ice), but I do occasionally climb trees. I'm not an arborist and have never brought a saw into a tree or used gaffs. But I can tie a blake's hitch and climb DRT or SRT.

Tree climbing will probably appeal to rock climbers who enjoy aid climbing. I rarely "free climb" a tree and am almost always aiding branch to branch. There is definitely crossover in techniques and skills between tree and rock, but they are different disciplines.

My buddy Dave has been blogging from Sequoia/King's Canyon and you can get a bit of a feel for tree climbing by checking it out: www.tenacityinpursuit.com/may12.php