New Guy here...checking in

I didn't see a forum section for introductions, so I thought here would be good.

I've never (well...since I was 14 years old) done tree climbing. Honestly, didn't know there was such a thing as recreational tree climbing.

I actually found out about it after watching an episode of "The Legend of Mick Dodge" on TV. I am a camper and was toying with the idea of hammock camping. Then I saw the show where Mick slung a hammock between two trees and slept overnight ....looked like 25-30 feet up or so. I started researching and found the wonderful world of recreational tree climbing.

So most of my time here will be spent researching and asking a bunch of noooob questions about climbing and tree camping. Saw one post already.

Anyway...I'm here. Hoping to learn a lot. Don't know how much I can contribute, but will if I can.

NoSweat88

Where are you located, NoSweat?

Long Island, NY

Cool! I used to live out on the east end, Shelter Island. Do you know any climbers out there?

Nope...not one. Just getting started and I looked around a little for a club but, so far, no luck.

I'm a canopy hammock camper as well, so if you need any help ask away! Treefool.com gives very succinct summaries of some basic set ups, and the guy who runs it is quite freindly. There also an entire forum dedicated to hammocks that's extremely active if you need help in that area.

Thanks Bushwhacker. I'm sure I'll be messaging you often. I'm sure I'll find it elsewhere, but do you use a Treeboat or something different?

I'm thinking about a Clark NX-250. Treeboats seem pretty expensive. I know the Clark's not cheap, but most of the stuff that are addons for the TB are standard with the Clark.

Again, I'm very new at this so I have an open mind at this point.

NS88

Hey NoSweat,

You have come to a great place to find out about the wonderful world of tree climbing! Tree Climbers International was started by Peter "Treeman" Jenkins over 30 years ago. In that time, he's taught more people to climb trees than just about anybody. I would HIGHLY recommend that you get with TCI and register for a Beginners Tree Climbing Course. I guarantee that you will learn a lot and have a boatload of fun. There are many people on this forum, some have a great deal of experience climbing trees, and are excellent teachers. There are people here of every experience level, from none, to a lot. Do yourself a huge favor and get with a really experienced climber who is qualified to instruct you. Also, don't delay, order yourself a copy of Tree Climbing Basics, right here on this website. You'll be glad you did!

Patty,

thanks for the advice. As mentioned, I am new and here to learn.

NS88

Thanks Dogwood...I'd love to find someone in my area to help.

Some things can't be learned WELL from books and YouTube.

NS88

Have you been to the climber finder here on the website? You might want to give that a try. If you get up to New England, there's quite an active bunch of climbers. Moss is up there. Try giving him a shout!

Bear in mind that I have had no professional training, and I am in no way qualified to give advice, so this isn't advice, this is just my extremely dangerous way of getting into the trees for less money. You will surely die if you try to sleep like this.

I don't use a treeboat. I was originally going to get one, but I was talked out of it by full time hammockers who prefer gathered end hammocks (they really are SUPER comfortable). I currently have a Warbonnet blackbird and a DIY hammock , which have replaced my tent for ground camping trips as well. Like I said, really comfortable. I know quite a few people who have stopped sleeping in their beds at home because the hammock gives them a better sleep! There is a good list of starter hammocks here . Clark's hammock on the other hand - well that is a) not rated for canopy camping, b) not comfortable, c) expensive, d) heavy. Tree Fool uses a hammock he made for less than $30 , but as you can tell from his name, you will surely die using that type of hammock.

I also NEVER take off my harness. I sleep in it fully connected so a) I can descend quickly if I need to (useful if the conditions change to being unsafe, lightning for instance), and b) redundancy. So many things can go wrong. You can sleep walk (rare, but not worth the risk), and portaledges have had lethal failures in the past (they are more common than treeboats, so more failures have been reported). I would still use a harness if I were in a treeboat.

I'm using a screamer when I sleep so that if I do take a fall, I would have some shock absorption to avoid breaking either the branches or myself. If you do this though you will end up killing yourself.

In any case, I would suggest checking out the hammock forums sale section and posting your WTB (want to buy) - they tend to be quite active so there's a high chance of you getting a good discount on equipment. Actually, I take that back. That's what I would do, but you will definitely die if you don't buy it new. Seriously. You could just wait till amazon has them on sale.

Yep there are excellent DYI hammocks out there. If you're securely tied in you could sleep in a stick nest if you wanted to
-AJ