I've done several climbs lately free_style_, that is depending on arms and legs and not using a rope to aid in ascent or descent. For future climbs of this sort I plan to wear a saddle and use a short lanyard to remain tied in while climbing. This requires a tree that has branches close enough to the ground so you can get in to the tree and branches closely spaced enough that they can be reached climbing in the tree. I found that I was getting muscle demands and body movement different from DdRT. I'm beginning to think that there is a place for this type of "backed-up" free climbing in the world of rec climbing. Maybe the tree equivalent of bouldering in the rock climbing world. What do you think?
-moss