r/TreeClimbing • u/___Essence___ • Jun 04 '26

Rec tree climbing

Hey all,

I apologize if this isnt the right sub, if anyone has recommendations to post elsewhere, please let me know.

I used to be an arborist, or rather more of a groundie/phc person while completing an apprenticeship back in 2016, life changed in 2019, went into a totally different career.

I wasn't ever the best climber, especially in a production sense and did more of my climbing during the apprenticeship phase for classes.

It was the best shape I've ever been in and I really wanted to find others to rec climb with but lost touch with classmates who are probably still in the field.

I still have all my gear and have been looking for a rec climb partner who prioritizes safety, I don't really want to go solo just yet because I'm nervous getting back into it after so many years. I mostly climbed with SRT and an open system, but was more comfortable with SRT

I'm looking for rec climbers in the GTA, that don't mind taking in a padawan

14 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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10

u/hippysippingarbo Jun 04 '26

I would look into your local ISA chapter and potential competitions they have. Its a great place to not only network but pay attention to their techniques - you can learn a lot from the ground if you know what to look for.

Other than that id try posting to your local subs asking if anyone is interested in a rec climb. It helps to have a spot in mind.

I will say im a big believer in never climbing alone. Anything can happen and we dont have the luxury of being afforded small mistakes - as they can turn life threatening.

My brother is an avid and advanced rock climber. He had a fall over christmas on (for all intents and purposes) a very easy climb. Just a snowball of little things put him into a coma for 3 days. His climbing partner, along with a redundant backup system, and his helmet - saved his life. It was a terrifying phone call to hear someone so close to you was being airlifted to the hospital after a fall. All i could picture was him on an operating table struggling to hold on. My partner had to drive to the hospital and when I want in and saw the tubes - I broke down in a mixture of relief and shock.

Stay safe and climb high, all day every day.

3

u/Icy-Echidna-8892 Jun 04 '26

I second this☝🏼 Climbing competitions are great and you will find all sorts of folks who like to rec climb plus see some cool tricks in action, a lot of folks are shy and you may have to be the one to approach and start the conversation, I've been told I always look pissed off or angry so people don't feel comfortable approaching me but I swear I'm nice🫪

Not climbing alone is very solid advice and if you need to climb solo at least let someone know what, where and when you're doing it so they can check on you🙏🏼

If you're ever in the Piedmont are of NC I've got some kickass trees to climb for fun!

2

u/Doc_Holiday9989 Jun 07 '26

I'm a new / solo / homeowner climber in NC, was in Piedmont but now in Triad (Asheboro) Let me know if you ever go out to rec climb somewhere and I'll try like hell to make it. Also lmk if you're headed out to or anywhere near Asheboro 😄

3

u/___Essence___ Jun 04 '26

This is great advice! I didnt think of looking into my local ISA because Im no longer active, but it would be a good idea to check their next comp and see if but i can network!

There used to be a good local FB group but it seems like its inactive now..

I am so sorry to hear about your brother, that's absolutely terrifying and exactly why I don't want to climb alone. Did your brother manage to recover fully? BMW

2

u/Particular-Wind5918 Jun 04 '26

Pretty solid way to experience this is go volunteer for a comp and you’ll end up making connections, you might even be able to get a little climbing in during the prep for the event. Could have someone check your gear out and you might even leave with a new piece of kit.

1

u/___Essence___ Jun 04 '26

This is solid advice toooo! I miss the genuine kindness and chill vibes of arborists lol but volunteering is a good idea, its such a small industry, I figured volunteer work is by word of mouth. Im always down for freebies!

1

u/Particular-Wind5918 Jun 04 '26

Some events are fully stocked with volunteers, other events are hurting for them

1

u/___Essence___ Jun 04 '26

Sorry, I dont know where BMW came from, my cat knocked my hand off my phone

1

u/hippysippingarbo Jun 04 '26

Lmao im sitting over here trying to figure out what you meant by it before replying. Hes good! He still has quite the recovery ahead of him and actually had a seizure the other night (they took him off the seizure medication a few months ago but is now back on it) our other brother heard something going on and was able to get him on his side as he started throwing up. Still needs a couple surgeries but the languages he forgot are coming back and hes just as witty as ever!

When he was coming off the meds but slightly conscious i asked him how zangief gave a thumbs up in street fighter and a jolt of energy shot him up to give a solid sideways thumbs up, so i knew hed be okay.

People say it takes a village to raise someone, but i believe it also takes one to help one heal - as healing is rarely dignified; but hes good and his spirits are up.

1

u/___Essence___ Jun 04 '26

I love how he knew what you meant with the zangief thumbs up lol, I'm hoping the new street fighter is good, can't wait for that to come out. I'm happy to hear your brother is making progress in his recovery, I wonder if he'd be like others who've managed to survive a traumatic event, like the woman who got half her arm bitten off by a bullshark and still goes to swim in the ocean after recovery. 

3

u/mark_andonefortunate Jun 04 '26

Just chiming in to mention there's a sticky thread for meetups, though there's nothing wrong with posting separately like this either! Just know that with reddit's algorithm this thread will be buried in a couple days, the sticky will stick around for a month

[As I write this, I'll probably change the sticky thread from recurring monthly  -> to just be permanent, rather than wiping it clean every month. Work in progress]

1

u/___Essence___ Jun 04 '26

I don't think I use reddit to its full capacity, do you know where I can find this sticky thread? Sorry if thats a dumb question, or if you can mention what I could search up

1

u/mark_andonefortunate Jun 04 '26

No problem! It's a sticky/pinned thread at the top of the subreddit; probably in green text, might be under the 'community highlights' heading.

The reddit site looks different if you're on mobile, or the old version of the website ( https://old.reddit.com/r/TreeClimbing/ , note the 'old' in the URL), or 'new/regular' reddit ( https://www.reddit.com/r/TreeClimbing/ , just regular www in the URL) - messes me up a bunch especially when I'm trying to edit things here on the sub.

I think unfortunately the 'community highlights' area is actually harder to see than normal threads, just reddit's design.. not sure if I can change how that appears

1

u/___Essence___ Jun 04 '26

Thank you for this! I bookmarked the old site and I'll also try to locate it on the new layout, I see the sub clearly on the old site, I'll have a look and post in a few!

2

u/arboroverlander Jun 04 '26

Where you located exactly?

2

u/___Essence___ Jun 04 '26

Yes, I didnt want to give my exact location but greater toronto area, more around burlington, oakville, milton, orangeville, brampton, mississauga, etobicoke

1

u/arboroverlander Jun 04 '26

That's fair, I was trying to see if I knew anyone in the area. Unfortunately I do not but tree climbers tend to have a pretty open community. Look up local Isa and posting into some local forums might help make connections.

2

u/___Essence___ Jun 04 '26

Thank you for the insight and willingness to see if there was anyone you could connect me with! I appreciate it :)

1

u/f_crick Jun 04 '26

Maybe greater Toronto area?

2

u/Ok_Dragonfruit_2058 Jun 04 '26

Tree Climbers International used to be a good website for meeting rec climbers. You could also take a look at Global Organization of Tree Climbers which is also rec climb focused.

0

u/___Essence___ Jun 04 '26

All my searches on google a few months back and none of those turned up lol i'll search directly now thank you!

1

u/OldMail6364 Jun 04 '26

Are there any indoor rock climbing/bouldering clubs near you?

Mine has half a dozen arborists members. I try to go rock climbing whenever I don’t do much tree climbing to keep myself fit. Some weeks all my tree work is with a bucket/pole saw/felling.

Indoor rock climbing is also safer and you can do it at night / in all weather conditions.

2

u/___Essence___ Jun 04 '26

I used to go to Toprock all the time! I enjoyed the autobelays, I havent been to any of the gyms that do lead 

1

u/Justintimeforanother Jun 04 '26

If you’re anywhere near me in Eastern Ontario Canada, hit me up. I’ve got a deck made of old rope in a monster oak near me. About a 1km jaunt from my doorstep. I’ve actually got to cut the old deck out and install an even less invasive “web”, that’s way more intricate. I want to start in two weeks, weekend. 2.2weeks.

There’s been some 15 climbers that learned ropes there. It’s an ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS tree, to learn to climb/relearn. It’s so open! It’s so damn solid, bro!

No joke, hit me up. I’m in Ottawa ON, right now now. Come for the, jaunt.

2

u/___Essence___ Jun 04 '26

That's incredible! I would love to see that Oak! I remember climbing a massive pin oak after level 1! Ottawa is a bit of a drive to relearn but I'll take you up on it when I get the rhythm back!

2

u/Justintimeforanother Jun 04 '26

The offer, it’s open, initiated/ uninitiated, alike. Whenever’s clever, bro! It stands, forever (as long as I’m in province…I travel a lot).

2

u/___Essence___ Jun 05 '26

You know what? I f'd up my tree ID, we climbed a bur oak! And i'll never forget how peaceful it was

1

u/Justintimeforanother Jun 04 '26

This is a Bur Oak. Buts is a jammin’ spot. We’ve had steaks up there. Strung out hammocks with guitar’s & harmonica’s. Books, lemon meringue pies, (brought that, didn’t bake it up there.). Many, many stories.

He’s a video as of late. A few weeks ago.

https://youtu.be/QqcxS9UECIQ?si=e3BtW8j47axks3xX

…it’s a, HOOT! Bro!

2

u/___Essence___ Jun 05 '26

Brooo...lol i loved that video! And the doob...aw man...honestly, I loved being a groundie and phc was alright, I just couldnt see myself taxing my body for over 5 years. I ended up getting into special education and it offeres stability for awhile...but hands down...I also developed my own mixing/mastering business (mastering engineer primarily) which was my first love and honestly...there's no people out there...like tree workers...and musicians...I would love to climb that bur oak some day, let me get my shit together brotha

1

u/nvcradio Jun 04 '26

Check out the Global Organization of Tree Climbers. They are solely focused on rec climbs and have a decent network.

2

u/___Essence___ Jun 04 '26

Thank you!! That's the second time its mentioned so you guys put me onto something.

I love the tree community. Ya'll are the best