 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.
There
is always some uncertainty when describing a climbing tree by using a numbering
system. For example, a Class 5 tree, generally a challenge to most climbers,
can be easy for an exceptionally skilled climber. Likewise, a Class 3
climb can quickly turn into a Class 5 climb on a wet, windy day. Hence,
the classification system can only be used as a point of reference: climbing
conditions must always be taken into consideration when choosing a rated
tree.
Each classification rating also
has an extension from .0 to .12 to further define the difficulty of the climb.
For example, in the Class 5 range, a Class 5.0 climb is the easiest, and a
class 5.12 climb is the most difficult.
Difficulty
ratings are assigned assuming clear, dry weather. But slippery conditions
caused by rain or ice, high winds, or extreme heat or cold can all affect
climbing conditions on a specific day. The climber's physical and mental
condition will also determine how hard a climb will be. That's why difficulty
ratings cannot always predict a particular climb accurately. The difficulty
rating should always be just one of several factors considered when determining
the safety of a climb.
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