An “On-Ramp” for recreational climbers….

[Zebco Kid]

Good morning.

This past summer/fall I traveled to Oregon to watch a tree climbing competition. I learned a great deal. Two of the big lessons were: fluidity and I’m on the right path, but the path is long.

I kept thinking that what was missing from the event was a space for the recreational climbers to “compete.” Or more accurately stated, have friendly competition.

For the pros on the forum, the one thing that recreational climbing lacks is a true purpose. We climb, traverse, deploy techniques all for the self-engineered fun of it. There actually is no destination (project). That’s all cool, but having a course to complete like you have in competition would be a blast, and I think a lot of recreational climbers (not that there are a ton) would sign up / register for such an opportunity.

I’d truly enjoy having a “course “ in the canopy as the pros do. It looked so fun.

Does this exist? Is there space for this in some competitions around the country? As I’ve only been to one, perhaps it exists.

Anyone share this desire?

Thank you.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Does this exist? Is there space for this in some competitions around the country?

You know the sayinjg:

If it's to be,
It's up to me

There have been rec climbs paired to comps. Some are intro climbs. Just up and down preset ropes

Others have a tree setup for an open rec climb for more skilled climbers

 

[Tuebor]

There are several comps that allow recreational climbers to compete - usually non-ISA sanctioned events, but there are some chapters that allow non-members to compete as well. Your most challenging part would probably be the aerial rescue event.

 

[Mowerr]

There are several comps that allow recreational climbers to compete - usually non-ISA sanctioned events, but there are some chapters that allow non-members to compete as well. Your most challenging part would probably be the aerial rescue event.

Do you know which chapters or where or how someone could find this info?

 

[oldoakman]

ZK, i think you would be a fit for Legends of the Geezers comp. Happens in Florida in January.

 

[Zebco Kid]

Thanks all. I don't know how "competitive" I am, but I'd really enjoy running courses. I'll look into the Geezer group*

*I'm going through a rough patch. Last week a colleague said, "I hope when I'm your age..." I've never heard that before. Apparently I'm getting older. And...Oldoakman just confirmed it. "Legends of the Geezers"! Goodness gracious.

 

[oldoakman]

Zk, i missed Geezers this year because i came down with covid the week before the event. I was the oldest registered competitor. You won't catch me. The younger guys still have the competitive urge, me, i am just there to have fun and hang with friends

 

[Rooted.Tree.Solutions]

When I competed in Indiana’s climbing competition I was a nobody from nowhere with 1 year experience climbing from watching YouTube videos. I don’t ever recall being asked if I was a professional arborist? I came in dead last and learned so much that it propelled me forward with so much more information than I had before the event. If I were you I’d just sign up and see what they say.

You could always set up your own course.

 

[ghostice]

Thanks all. I don't know how "competitive" I am, but I'd really enjoy running courses. I'll look into the Geezer group*

*I'm going through a rough patch. Last week a colleague said, "I hope when I'm your age..." I've never heard that before. Apparently I'm getting older. And...Oldoakman just confirmed it. "Legends of the Geezers"! Goodness gracious.

It is up to us all as we age to keep "Trying to race the car with used parts" as my other half says . . . .

Seen in a Murren Swizerland bar:



Maybe some new spin on this is needed for tree folk ! Anybody a whiz with graphics?

 

[moss]

Keep finding more challenging and interesting trees, there is endless purpose in that. “Recreational” is not a very good way to describe climbing trees while not working. “Re-creational” is.

More power to you though on the competitive side of rec!
-AJ