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Apr 26, 2008 9:21 pm US/Mountain
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Evergreen Recreational Tree Climber Offers Lessons
DENVER (CBS4) ―
Tree climbing is a favorite pastime for many children, but by adulthood most people have usually outgrow the urge. That's not the case for "Ponderosa" Harv Teitelbaum. Not only does he climb trees, he offers lessons to other adults.
Colorado Getaways producer Doug Whitehead took one of the classes, which starts a bit of stretching to avoid injuries. Then it's time to strap into a series of harnesses and ropes before heading high off the ground.
"You're entering the arbor world or the tree world," explained Teitelbaum. "We all know a tree from the ground up but to get to know a tree at the top level, to feel a living tree move and breathe underneath you, to be a part of that, is a whole new world."
"Even the same tree is different from day to day, from season to season."
The equipment is similar to what rock climbers use, although a bit more flexible. The harness allows the climber to swing completely upside down without falling out.
Tree climbing also has its own language. A shout of "headache" indicates climbers below should be aware of falling objects.
But it is a skill which comes quickly; improvement can be seen in just the first few minutes.
It does create distractions on the ground, though.
"When you climb trees, it's hard not to drive around just looking up into trees," Teitelbaum said. "Just looking up into canopies wondering what it would it be like to be up in that tree or 'Where would I put a rope to get into that tree?'. 'Gee, that's a neat tree.'"
"Any day in a tree is a good day."
Contact Teitelbaum
Harv Teitelbaum is a TCI-certified tree climbing facilitator and instructor. He'll teach you how to do it. Reach him at (303) 526-2904 or visit www.treeclimbingcolorado.com.
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