How to Climb in the Redwood Forest

The first decision to make about climbing in a redwood forest is whether it will harm the forest or the trees. Clearly, the impact of one person climbing one tree is minimal, but thought must be given to how many people are doing this. Many redwood groves are protected, and regulations regarding their use are quite strict. In addition, the climbing of a redwood by an irresponsible or inexperienced climber could very quickly lead to death. These trees are hundreds of feet tall, and a fall from near the top would certainly kill you, no matter how mossy the forest floor might be.

Things You'll Need

  • Climbing ropes
  • Helmet
  • Harness
  • Carabiners
  • Bow and arrow
  • Thin cord
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Instructions

  1. Be Responsible and Safe

    • 1

      Take lessons in the use of ropes and carabiners from an experienced professional. Techniques of tree climbing with ropes are not difficult to learn, but are very important to know and practice well in order to avoid danger and injury. Learn the basics of rope holds, knots, carabiner use, body positioning, rappelling and belaying.

    • 2

      Set your climbing rope by shooting an arrow attached to a thin cord over the lowest branch on the redwood. Attach your climbing rope to the cord and pull the climbing rope up and over the branch. You now have hold of both ends of the rope, with the middle going over the branch. This will allow you to climb using a double rope technique.

    • 3

      Secure yourself to the branch that the rope is slung over when you reach it. From here, in order to go higher, you will need to sling the rope over a higher branch. This is very difficult to do from your perch on the branch, and is more easily accomplished by an assistant on the ground, using the bow and arrow technique.

    • 4

      Avoid old growth and protected areas. According to Professor Stephen Sillett of Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, it is irresponsible to climb protected old growth redwoods unless you are one of the few people doing legitimate scientific research that requires your presence in the canopy. Although enormous thousand year old trees are obviously not going to be killed by being climbed by a human, the ecosystems that exist in their canopies, including the lichen, moss and fauna that thrive on their branches, are easily damaged by a large mammal such as a human moving around on them. Sillett recommends that tree climbers pursue their hobby on younger trees, in non-protected areas.