Rec climbing biz for customers

[southsoundtree]

Anyone providetree climbing guiding services for clients in their own trees or otherwise?

I have so many customers with super stunning views from 50-100' up their trees.


Mt Rainier and Mount Olympus are in view from so many of my customers' trees. Lots of outdoorsy folks here. Some are old climbers from back in the day.




I've considered an AirBnB at my house with trees to climb onsite as an introductory setting, with opportunities to go elsewhere.

 

[27RMT0N]

I always tell people "You'd have a great view if you house was 50-100 feet taller"

(no experience taking customers up trees though, I'm sure plenty here would love it as well)

 

[Matias]

I have had it on my list of expansion ventures once I have everything I would need to do that properly. I have taught a few friends, and have gotten better at explaining the details to people who have no prior knowledge.

 

[Bart_]

Look up Rob Miron ex Pacific tree Climbing Institute and pick his brain. There's also a Climb Old Growth thread with the name of a currently operating company you could talk to. I'd wager liability is the bugaboo. First aid emergency capability is a big one.

 

[Dan Thornton]

My grandkids sure love it!!! Of course, I train them very simply and carefully. ["Now, attach your foot ascender to rope like I showed you, go up 4 feet, unattach foot ascender, come down 4 feet; repeat 3-4 times; any questions? Don't worry, if you get scared or if anything happens I can bring you down safely right here from the ground. Now have fun."]

 

[ATH]

I helped a friend who is an ecology professor learn to climb and teach kids to climb. It's mostly a rec climbing thing...but he's also found ways to do it "on the clock" by setting up studies for diversity of lichens and setting insect traps to look at the structural diversity of pollinators.

MetroParks Toledo (Ohio) has been doing rec climbing and I think they even offer it for school groups:

Tree Climbing - Metroparks Toledo

metroparkstoledo.com

Climb a Tree - Metroparks Toledo

metroparkstoledo.com

Tree Climbing - Metroparks Toledo

metroparkstoledo.com

 

[Crimsonking]

The folks at The Treeist in NC offer rec climbing to the public on Saturdays. It’s free, but it’s great exposure for business. They’ve even hired clients who started coming to the climbs.

 

[ClimberClyde]

Neat idea that I haven't considered.

There's a business just south of Portland that does tree climbs for the public, as well as training. They even have tree camping experience package.

So the tree tourism is definitely doable - I would imagine the insurance would be the bigger hurdle?

You would be a great guide for the homeowner or others, they would be getting such a cool experience to step into the tree tops with you!

Experiences – Tree Climbing Planet

treeclimbingplanet.com

 

[Tony k]

My grandkids sure love it!!! Of course, I train them very simply and carefully. ["Now, attach your foot ascender to rope like I showed you, go up 4 feet, unattach foot ascender, come down 4 feet; repeat 3-4 times; any questions? Don't worry, if you get scared or if anything happens I can bring you down safely right here from the ground. Now have fun."]

View attachment 98161View attachment 98162View attachment 98163

What a great way to get your kids to luv the outdoors and get to know how their
dad makes a living.

 

[TreeVB]

David Anderson from Canopy Watch International does some pretty awesome rec. climbs for the public as well as adaptive sports climbs. The turnouts are always impressive. Picking his brain would be a good place to gain some knowledge of the liabilities and how he goes about it.

 

[DanHouse]

I am an ambassador for the Global Organization of Tree Climbers and have been involved with creating best practice guidelines for tree climbing since 2007. Each year we all get together at various locations and this year we even have two venues: OSA Center in Costa Rica (in progress) and at Silver Falls State Park Oregon August 22 to 25th. Check it out at our website:

Global Organization of Tree Climbers - Go Tree Climbing!

A resource for tree climbing and a central place for tree climbers to learn, improve their skills, and meet other like-minded people who care for nature and trees

www.gotreeclimbing.org

 

[DanHouse]

EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA Read all about it

Register TCR 2025 - Global Organization of Tree Climbers

August 21-25, 2025 (Thu-Mon)

www.gotreeclimbing.org

 

[Bart_]

The name Tim Kovar rang a bell and sure enough he's the once a year old growth climb guy.

Meet the World’s Best Tree Climber

Tim Kovar travels the world helping people scale giants

www.outsideonline.com

I'm guessing insurance is tied to the site for these businesses. Could be an issue having a new homeowner site for each new customer. Out of country climbs is probably a whole nuther can of worms.

 

[27RMT0N]

There is a company on Lopez Island next door to me (and not so far from you of course) that takes people up trees, might be someone to get some tips from.

Tree Canopy Climbing | AdventureTerra

Tree climbing at Deception Pass State Park. Learn to climb old growth trees and experience a powerful perspective of nature rarely seen. Located near Anacortes, Whidbey Island, Skagit, and Seattle in Washington State. Tree canopy climbing is one of the top things to do near Deception Pass State Park

www.adventureterra.com