Taking Risks

Danny Jones, 16, was a few feet off the ground, hanging from the branch of a tall black walnut tree. 'Now we're going to run through the basics,' explained Tim Knight, tree-climbing instructor. Danny stuck his legs out straight, resting comfortably in a specially designed harness. Step by step, Tim showed him how to use the system of ropes and knots to climb high into the tree. 'This is so cool,' Danny called, looking down. 'I feel like Spider-Man.'

Not long ago, most people who attempted to climb high trees did so for specific purposes, like conducting scientific research. Few people had the knowledge and technical gear to get high into the canopies of giant trees. [1} B Careless or untrained enthusiasts can break branches, damage the bark and disturb wildlife.A 'As far as I'm aware, this is the safest method there is,' he says.E The trees in national forests are popular because they're often taller and more remote.G One company even sells a kind of tree bed so you can spend the night up in the canopy.F Recently, however, their skills and equipment have become more and more available to amateur climbers.D This is what climbers call a 'red line', above which almost every fall is fatal.C Many cities in America now have climbing clubs, and the activity is spreading around the globe. As a result, the activity is becoming more mainstream.

In 1993, Tree Climbers International was set up in Atlanta, in the USA. [2] E The trees in national forests are popular because they're often taller and more remote. A 'As far as I'm aware, this is the safest method there is,' he says.D This is what climbers call a 'red line', above which almost every fall is fatal.G One company even sells a kind of tree bed so you can spend the night up in the canopy.C Many cities in America now have climbing clubs, and the activity is spreading around the globe. B Careless or untrained enthusiasts can break branches, damage the bark and disturb wildlife.F Recently, however, their skills and equipment have become more and more available to amateur climbers.

You can join groups in countries like the UK, Japan, China and Australia. Cecylia Malik from Poland even challenged herself to climb a tree every day for a year. Then she wrote a book about her experience.

As the popularity of recreational tree climbing has shot up, enthusiasts have also come up with new techniques brought in from other sports like mountaineering and rock climbing. You can now buy better ropes and more comfortable harnesses.

[3] D This is what climbers call a 'red line', above which almost every fall is fatal.E The trees in national forests are popular because they're often taller and more remote. B Careless or untrained enthusiasts can break branches, damage the bark and disturb wildlife. A 'As far as I'm aware, this is the safest method there is,' he says.F Recently, however, their skills and equipment have become more and more available to amateur climbers.C Many cities in America now have climbing clubs, and the activity is spreading around the globe.G One company even sells a kind of tree bed so you can spend the night up in the canopy. As a result of these sorts of developments, the sport is easier and safer than ever before. Obviously, it's not possible to get rid of all the risks, and there are real dangers.

[4] A 'As far as I'm aware, this is the safest method there is,' he says.D This is what climbers call a 'red line', above which almost every fall is fatal.G One company even sells a kind of tree bed so you can spend the night up in the canopy. B Careless or untrained enthusiasts can break branches, damage the bark and disturb wildlife.C Many cities in America now have climbing clubs, and the activity is spreading around the globe.E The trees in national forests are popular because they're often taller and more remote.F Recently, however, their skills and equipment have become more and more available to amateur climbers. But done properly, accidents are uncommon and tree climbing is actually a very safe sport - although experts point out that everybody should take a class before attempting to go up a tree.

Tim Knight, who runs a school in California, teaches his students the details of a back-up safety system that the professionals have developed. [5] E The trees in national forests are popular because they're often taller and more remote.G One company even sells a kind of tree bed so you can spend the night up in the canopy.A 'As far as I'm aware, this is the safest method there is,' he says.C Many cities in America now have climbing clubs, and the activity is spreading around the globe.D This is what climbers call a 'red line', above which almost every fall is fatal. B Careless or untrained enthusiasts can break branches, damage the bark and disturb wildlife.F Recently, however, their skills and equipment have become more and more available to amateur climbers. He explained that his organization had put more than 50,000 people up in trees worldwide, and no one with them had ever had a serious accident.

Besides the climbers, there are also concerns about the well-being of the trees themselves. [6] B Careless or untrained enthusiasts can break branches, damage the bark and disturb wildlifeE The trees in national forests are popular because they're often taller and more remote.F Recently, however, their skills and equipment have become more and more available to amateur climbers.D There is what climber s call a 'red line', above which almost every fall is fatal. A 'As far as I'm aware, this is the safest method there is,' he says.G One company even sells a kind of tree bed so you can spend the night up in the canopy.C Many cities in America now have climbing clubs, and the activity is spreading around the globe.

That is another reason why Tim Knight stresses the need for training. With proper care and techniques, tree climbing has almost no impact on a tree, and careful climbers spend most of their time hanging from ropes, never touching the tree.

Tim Knight believes tree climbing can bring enormous benefits to people. 'When you can take people into a different, totally unfamiliar environment, you can change the way they see things. You have the potential to change their outlook and really turn their lives around.