The trees
we use for climbing are always named. They are, after all, living things
that share the world with us. Personal names not only help us identify
climbing trees, but also help us develop a more personal relationship
with them. In the past, trees that were used as markers for travelers
because of their size and location were given names and became landmarks.
Tree climbers
name their trees with different reasons in mind. The name might be for
someone they know or revere, or it might be mythical in nature. The tree
might be named for its shape or its resemblance to something else in nature.
Some trees receive conventional names at first, but usually end up with
creative, offbeat nicknames. Though the team of climbers might decide
to name the tree together, the first person to make the ascent in it generally
performs the "naming ceremony."
Difficulty Ratings
Foot locking the tail
The difficulty
rating classification system is used to give climbers a general idea of
how easy or hard it is to climb a particular tree. TCI's scale for rating
trees is modeled after the Sierra Club system used in rock climbing.
Each tree's rating is based on the experience of the first climber.
Class 1 trees are the
easiest to climb; Class 6 trees are the hardest. Double rope technique (DRT) is most often used in classes 1-5. Single rope technique (SRT) is
used in class 6 climbs. Sometimes DRT and SRT are used in combination.
CLASS 1. Very easy. Ladder-type climb. Rope is often not necessary
or desired. Handholds and footholds are within easy reach. Tree heights
are low, 10-25 feet.
CLASS 2. Moderately easy. Ladder-type climb. Handholds and footholds
are within easy reach. Because of height, a safety rope is recommended.
Tree heights are moderate, 25-50 feet.
CLASS 3. Moderately difficult. Roped climbing. A rope must be
used to hoist the climber up to the first footholds and handholds. Distances
between branches are short, but often out of arm's reach. Tree heights
are moderate, 25-75 feet.
CLASS 4. Difficult. Roped climbing. A throw-weight must be used
for the first rope setting. Distances between branches are much longer.
Tree heights are moderate to high, 50-125 feet.
CLASS 5. Very difficult. Roped climbing. A throw-weight must be
used for multiple rope settings. Trees rated Class 5 and above can present
special climbing problems: difficult leans, a sparse high-branch system,
multiple climbing rope systems needed, and tree-to-tree traverses. Tree
heights are high to very high, 75-200 feet.
CLASS 6. Extremely difficult. Special rope-climbing methods are
required. The first branch is out of throw-weight range (75 feet or more),
and lines are placed with bow and arrow, crossbow, or sling shot. SRT
with mechanical ascenders is used. Tree heights are very high, 150-370 feet.
The commitment
rating describes the amount of time needed for a climb. This rating should
take into account not only the climb itself, but the approach and exit
as well. Always allow some extra time for unexpected climbing conditions,
or for a fellow climber who might not be as quick as others.
The commitment
rating scale is as follows:
A: A few
hours or less
B: Half
day
C: Full day
D: Long
day, over 10 hours, hike to tree
E: Overnight
camp out (bivouac)
F: Expedition into remote area with several days of tree-top
camping
Tree Tags-Putting It All Together
A tree
tag is a string of letters and numbers to describe a climbing tree in
climbers' shorthand. Here's a breakdown of a tree tag.
The first part of the string is the tree's name: McCrutchen.
Difficulty rating is next: McCrutchen Class5.9.
Add a
numerical character beside the class number to be more precise: McCrutchen Class5.9.
To end the tree tag, add the time commitment: McCrutchen Class5.9C.
There it is: McCrutchen 125 Class5.9C. To most, it's a string of
senseless numbers and letters. To a tree climber, however, it's quite
useful. The tree tag described here tells climbers they'll be climbing
"McCrutchen;" the tree will present them with a Class 5 climb, a
difficult climb, and it's going to take all day to do this climb.
Tree Climbing Names
Nature Boy, aka Murv Alleman
A tree
climbing name is a nickname that is awarded to someone who has set up and climbed a tree on their own for the first time. The climber is asked to come
up with his or her own name. If the name isn't creative enough to satisfy
the crowd, the climber is at the mercy of the group! The idea of tree
climbing names comes from different societies which give members names after
they have gone through a rite of passage. In other cultures, a name is
given with emergence into adulthood, or sometimes with warrior and spiritual
experience. With TCI, it comes with climbing experience.
The name
might be of some creature, a mythical person, a dominant trait, or whatever
a climber chooses. Some examples are Totoro, Howler, Puma, Flyin' Fred,
and Barefoot, to name a few. The names
kids come up with are most interesting. You'd be surprised at how much
pride climbers place in their tree-climbing name!
