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ysabetwordsmith Climbing trees is a fun activity, but not everyone knows how to do it. The two no-gear methods of climbing are scrambling and shinnying. Scrambling means using your hands and feet to go up a tree with branches. Shinnying involves wrapping your arms and legs around a narrow tree without branches, and ratcheting your way up. Of the two, scrambling is much easier, thus generally the best way to start. Climbing with gear tempts people to ascend to great heights, and you have to understand your equipment. It is therefore best left until after you have mastered the basics of freehand climbing of small trees.
Dress appropriately in tough, close-fitting, non-binding clothes that you don't care if they get torn or stained. Ideally you should wear long pants and sleeves of sturdy cloth when you are learn, to minimize the chance of scraping yourself on the bark. (Expect some minor scrapes and bruises anyway, and pack a camping first aid kit.) Choose sturdy, closed shoes with a good grippy sole that is reasonably flexible. Yes, some people climb trees in all kinds of clothes, even skirts and sandals, but good outdoor clothes will make the climb easier for novices whether adult or youth. If your hair is long, braid it or put it under a hat so it doesn't snag.
For a start, you should search for a short tree that has many thick branches and a crotch as low to the ground as possible. Branches at least the thickness of your arm will usually hold your weight, and the thickness of your leg is better. Horizontal branches are convenient to grab and stand on. Redbuds and many semi-dwarf fruit trees are fantastic -- look around and you can probably find a crabapple because many parks plant those. Avoid trees such as birches with very loose or slippery bark, and anything with thorns such as honey locust.
Examine the tree before mounting it. Look for good places to put your hands and feet. The best ones are solid wood in a fork or on a branch close to the trunk. Ideally, you also want higher branches that you can hold onto above the one you're standing on. Trees with multiple trunks are also convenient because you can brace yourself between them.
Next, check to make sure the surface around the tree is safe. Grass is ideal, dirt okay. If you fall, these will absorb some of the impact while allowing you to tumble a bit to disperse the momentum. Loose stuff can make for worse injuries if you fall. Bark mulch gives splinters. Rubber mulch heats up under friction; if solid you can snag on it and it rubs skin off, and if loose it gets stuck in scrapes. Shallow sand is like falling on sandpaper, although deeper can be okay cushioning. Gravel not only scrapes but sticks to the skin. Don't learn over pavement; it can cause serious scrapes and bruises or even broken bones if you fall on it. Also avoid trees with big roots; you don't want to land on those.
To start climbing, grab the tree and haul yourself up. Usually that means reaching for a branch or trunk above your head and pulling while you plant your foot on the tree and push off the ground, then shift your weight to the foot on the tree and your hands. Alternatively, if you have good upper-body strength you may jump to catch a branch and then pull yourself up and over it.
To go higher, stand on a branch or crotch, brace yourself against the trunk or a higher branch, and repeat the process of looking for hand/foot holds. Don't rely on bark, as it won't hold much weight. A branch may give a little but should feel sturdy underneath you. Avoid using dead branches because they won't stand up to much pressure. Stay low on the tree, no higher than your own head, until you feel comfortable with the basic steps of climbing. Even if you fall, short distances rarely produce serious injuries.
Having a spotter helps the first few times, if there's anyone you trust that much. This person keeps a hand on or near you, to steady you if you slip. It's the same concept as spotting someone in gymnastics.
If anyone asks why you're finding this activity challenging, just say you're learning to climb trees. You don't have to explain why you didn't learn earlier, although if people pester you, a generic "I didn't have the opportunity before, but now I do, so I'm taking it now" is sufficient.
Dress appropriately in tough, close-fitting, non-binding clothes that you don't care if they get torn or stained. Ideally you should wear long pants and sleeves of sturdy cloth when you are learn, to minimize the chance of scraping yourself on the bark. (Expect some minor scrapes and bruises anyway, and pack a camping first aid kit.) Choose sturdy, closed shoes with a good grippy sole that is reasonably flexible. Yes, some people climb trees in all kinds of clothes, even skirts and sandals, but good outdoor clothes will make the climb easier for novices whether adult or youth. If your hair is long, braid it or put it under a hat so it doesn't snag.
For a start, you should search for a short tree that has many thick branches and a crotch as low to the ground as possible. Branches at least the thickness of your arm will usually hold your weight, and the thickness of your leg is better. Horizontal branches are convenient to grab and stand on. Redbuds and many semi-dwarf fruit trees are fantastic -- look around and you can probably find a crabapple because many parks plant those. Avoid trees such as birches with very loose or slippery bark, and anything with thorns such as honey locust.
Examine the tree before mounting it. Look for good places to put your hands and feet. The best ones are solid wood in a fork or on a branch close to the trunk. Ideally, you also want higher branches that you can hold onto above the one you're standing on. Trees with multiple trunks are also convenient because you can brace yourself between them.
Next, check to make sure the surface around the tree is safe. Grass is ideal, dirt okay. If you fall, these will absorb some of the impact while allowing you to tumble a bit to disperse the momentum. Loose stuff can make for worse injuries if you fall. Bark mulch gives splinters. Rubber mulch heats up under friction; if solid you can snag on it and it rubs skin off, and if loose it gets stuck in scrapes. Shallow sand is like falling on sandpaper, although deeper can be okay cushioning. Gravel not only scrapes but sticks to the skin. Don't learn over pavement; it can cause serious scrapes and bruises or even broken bones if you fall on it. Also avoid trees with big roots; you don't want to land on those.
To start climbing, grab the tree and haul yourself up. Usually that means reaching for a branch or trunk above your head and pulling while you plant your foot on the tree and push off the ground, then shift your weight to the foot on the tree and your hands. Alternatively, if you have good upper-body strength you may jump to catch a branch and then pull yourself up and over it.
To go higher, stand on a branch or crotch, brace yourself against the trunk or a higher branch, and repeat the process of looking for hand/foot holds. Don't rely on bark, as it won't hold much weight. A branch may give a little but should feel sturdy underneath you. Avoid using dead branches because they won't stand up to much pressure. Stay low on the tree, no higher than your own head, until you feel comfortable with the basic steps of climbing. Even if you fall, short distances rarely produce serious injuries.
Having a spotter helps the first few times, if there's anyone you trust that much. This person keeps a hand on or near you, to steady you if you slip. It's the same concept as spotting someone in gymnastics.
If anyone asks why you're finding this activity challenging, just say you're learning to climb trees. You don't have to explain why you didn't learn earlier, although if people pester you, a generic "I didn't have the opportunity before, but now I do, so I'm taking it now" is sufficient.
