Rec climbing outside of work?

[ClimbingTN]

Short intro. I got serious about climbing after taking a rec climbing class a few years ago. I went to a one week climbing arborist school to get additional proper training. It seems that the tree worker climbers I've met, have zero interest in recreational climbing. I'm wondering if that's the same for most production type climbers? I've been lurking around here learning from you knowledgeable folks. There are no clubs around here so, I'm always solo.

 

[Shadowscape]

I like to rec climb. A few times a year I will set everything aside and head out to my camp in the woods for two or three days to do just that all by myself. It is sort of my zen time alone. Have been sprucing up my camp for a fall climb in a couple of weeks. Like fall the best when the bugs are gone, and the evenings are cooler, and I can have a campfire. Deer flies have been hanging in there way too long this year.

 

[islandarb]

I used to rec climb a lot, especially if going to a comp..I am starting back up because my son is really keen again. Even rec climbed on my 3 week holiday in the UK last month. It is freeing. But I do love the simplicity of a rec climb without tools. Just the tree and my moving skill.

 

[southsoundtree]

I take people (family and friends) climbing.

Generally, I get enough climbing diversity in my work climbing.

We have ropes up at the moment in 130' doug-firs in the backyard.

Friends/ neighbors have some in the 150' range with, I suspect, views of the Olympic mountains.
Been meaning to give them a go.

 

[27RMT0N]

I'm just too tired and busy to climb trees in my off-time, I bet most guys feel that way. The occasions when I do rec climb is also when I bring someone else up a tree, and really do enjoy those experiences.

 

[data farm 26]

I did quite a lot when I was first learning. Mostly to get better for work and try some new gear/techniques or competitions but I haven't for years. Now I try to evacuate my work brain when I'm off and just look at trees as trees, like before I was a tree worker.

 

[islandarb]

I used to climb by myself alot. Found it really relaxing. Now I prefer to take someone up...find sharing the experience quite satisfying.

 

[Shadowscape]

I would enjoy taking someone with me on a rec climb. I just don't have anyone. All the young people in this area just want to be fellers and have zero interest in going up in a tree. By fellers I mean they want to sit in a felling machine that is airconditioned and has the latest tunes playing. The idea of picking up a chainsaw would just get their hands dirty. They fell, delimb, slash and stack without getting out of the cab of their 1.7 million dollar contraptions. Climb a tree? Why would you do that?
It is sad.

 

[Matias]

I got into this business for many reasons, but I have always loved climbing things- anything. I have a lot of projects that take up my time, but I get to climb some pretty spectacular trees around here for work, so I savor those jobs. I sneak off for a quick rec climb every now and again, and I will stop whatever I am doing when my daughter wants to climb. I have a collection of extra harnesses so i can offer friends the opportunity, but seldom get takers.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

Like Levi, I did it when I was learning the job to try and improve.

 

[islandarb]

I would enjoy taking someone with me on a rec climb. I just don't have anyone. All the young people in this area just want to be fellers and have zero interest in going up in a tree. By fellers I mean they want to sit in a felling machine that is airconditioned and has the latest tunes playing. The idea of picking up a chainsaw would just get their hands dirty. They fell, delimb, slash and stack without getting out of the cab of their 1.7 million dollar contraptions. Climb a tree? Why would you do that?
It is sad.

Just the basic skill of free climbing up a tree is such a rush and to be in a live environs is cool as shit. The house I grew up in had a very large mango tree in it. I use to roll my joints and venture up to the tippy top and chill for quite a while. It was so relaxing. The tree still stands today. I am 56 and it is about my same age.

 

[Shadowscape]

Just the basic skill of free climbing up a tree is such a rush and to be in a live environs is cool as shit. The house I grew up in had a very large mango tree in it. I use to roll my joints and venture up to the tippy top and chill for quite a while. It was so relaxing. The tree still stands today. I am 56 and it is about my same age.

Kids now seem to want to socialize with electronic gear. Damn, I spent all my childhood outdoors exploring the world, building tree forts and bridges across creeks, camping and bike rides to far off places. Wild animal pit traps with spikes in the bottom, just in case a large wild animal happened by. Didn't have any large wild animals, but it didn't matter.
I still want to explore and do crazy shit. Adult shit, but shit none the less.

 

[islandarb]

Kids now seem to want to socialize with electronic gear. Damn, I spent all my childhood outdoors exploring the world, building tree forts and bridges across creeks, camping and bike rides to far off places. Wild animal pit traps with spikes in the bottom, just in case a large wild animal happened by. Didn't have any large wild animals, but it didn't matter.
I still want to explore and do crazy shit. Adult shit, but shit none the less.

Not my boy. He with me always doing outdoor stuff.

 

[Shadowscape]

Not my boy. He with me always doing outdoor stuff. View attachment 89669View attachment 89670View attachment 89671View attachment 89672View attachment 89673View attachment 89674View attachment 89675

You are a fortunate father. Makes me feel hopeful for our future.

 

[ClimbingTN]

Looks like I need to get another harness and do some inviting. Thanks for all the comments. Craig

 

[Lignotuber]

When I was production climbing I only did a few rec climbs for fun. One of them was also taking the now wife up a magnolia. I kinda treated low pressure jobs as rec climbs. Was generally pretty tired/beat on my days off lol. Now days, most of my work is on the ground/office so I get to rec climb on my days/evenings off. It brings me joy. I also personally find it hard to identify as an arborist if my climbing skills are too rusty (personal problem lol).

 

[TN_tree]

@ClimbingTN Sent a PM. I'm not too far from you in TN and would enjoy finding some recreation climbing spots in the area.

 

[ClimbingTN]

Message sent. I’m throwing this out here for suggestions from the brain trust. I have been to city/county parks. I’ve been asked what I was doing by employees but, wasn’t run off. I’ve also had a few people stop and watch. I know you can’t climb on Federal property. I have climbed some family and friends trees. My daughter has several acres but, is over an hour drive. My 100ft+ cottonwoods are not that fun and I don’t particularly like them. My 60-70ft tulip poplar is fun but, you can only climb it so many times. Suggestions? Craig

 

[Matias]

I haven’t been able to find any rule or prohibition on tree climbing in the National Forest. Haven’t reviewed BLM rules, but I am pretty certain that as long as you aren’t damaging the tree, that they’d have a hard time getting any charges to stick. Inexperienced rangers who don’t know about what we do may still try to harass you, but I wouldn’t count on it as long as you’re not right up in the parking area.

 

[Matias]

if I am going out to climb for fun, I try to go places with no people around. I have a good pack to carry my gear for a long distance and will go out a ways to get a good tree.