Hi Folk's! [cool]

I am new to this forum and would need some tip from experienced people, and sorry for my bad english

To explain the situation, I am going to Gabon in January 14, to study theraphosidae in their natural habitat. There's many fossorial, terrestial and ARBOREAL species, which give me no choice then climbing into the trees to find 'em.

For some species there's no much worries, they are found in coconut trees which are not so far from the ground. This said, some other species are found in some of the highest tropical trees, which mean they would be found from 20 to 40 meter's high.

I am soon going to buy my last equipment needed for my trip, and it is a climbing equipment. I was wondering if the typical mountain climbing kit would be usefull for climbing into trees, and if so, what technique I'll have to use.

Thx a lot in advance for helping me in my project

CedrikG

Picture of one of the species found high into trees

Hi, and thx for this complete answer.

That's a beautiful Spider - is it the same species you are going to be looking at?

Yes, its ONE of them. What is interesting in the species I am going to study is they're for most of them unknow to us, we just know nothing about these species, no picture and no informations are avalaible because no one did serious researsh to Gabon about theraphosidae, before me!
Here's some more picture I took of species i'll have the chance to find, as you seem to be a little interess in the project



And heum this beautifull specimen!

and a lot more!

About tree climbing - there are so many things to consider about safety, technique and protecting the tree that you can't possibly learn to climb safely by January 14th.

I have no doubt about that! I've contacted a tree's climber ''cutter'' and he accepted meeting me in 1 week to give me tip's on how to get to the top safely. We seen him at works and he's very safe and professional.

However if you are going to climb trees anyway then using ropes and harness is essential. The first thing I will say is NEVER trust a dead branch. They can look strong from the outside but be so weak inside that they can break suddenly without warning. The second thing is NEVER unclip from your safety rope or lanyard. The third thing is NEVER climb alone.

Sometimes we tend to forget these point, i'll try remembering it! And these for all the other information you gave they're very appreciated.

Nice photos, particularly the last one - why, isn't that an open-voiced E minor 6 chord you're playing?

I'm glad you've found an instructor - if he likes arachnids then maybe you could talk him into coming along?

Have a good trip!

Michael