Climbing trees was always a passion of mine as a child. The fact that I don’t spend much time doing so any more is a tragedy of my adult life.
But now I can journey to the state of Oregon and enroll in a special class that caters to those of us suffering from tree-climbing withdrawal.
Tree Climbing Northwest, located in the town of Cave Junction, focuses on a different type of tree climbing than I practiced in my youth. According to Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, Robin Rauzi, the school tackles the big trees with a series of ropes and complicated knots. In fact, one doesn’t even get close to climbing a tree until all the knots–such as the complicated Self-Advancing Blake’s Hitch–are mastered.
Tree Climbing Northwest offers a variety of classes, most of which are surprisingly expensive. Their 2 ½ day Basic Tree Climbing Course, for example, runs $450. Man! I remember the days when tree climbing was free.
On the other hand, motivating people who otherwise wouldn’t climb up and enjoy the canopy, is actually quite priceless. So, hats off to the brachiating instructors who are undoubtedly introducing people to a world they normally wouldn’t ever experience.