Foot locking the tail

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

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 Class 5.

• Add a numerical character beside the class number to be more precise: McCrutchen Class 5.9.

• To end the tree tag, add the time commitment: McCrutchen Class 5.9C.

   

There it is: McCrutchen 125 Class 5.9C. 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.

Nature Boy, aka Murv Alleman

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!