How can I get started?

I am looking at how to get into this amazing hobby. The thought of climbing high in a tree and spending a little time supsended off the earth has my mind spinning.
Does anyone have any advice on where to find an introductory/beginner class that can teach my wife and I aobut he basics/rules/environmental requirements/and safety tools needed to make a successful first climb?

Thanks in advance for any information!

Greetings LittleElmTexas,

Welcome to the TCI board.
The best thing to do first is browse our message base. There is a lot of interesting information within. In time, other members will jump in on this thread and give you their input. For the immediate future it may be a bit quiet due to the fact that spring has arrived and there are a couple of group climbs getting organized and/or members are simply “in the trees”.

A few first steps you can take are. . . (AKA: my 2 cents worth)
1. Visit www.newtribe.com and look things over.
(click on any links I’ve posted)

2. Go to Google (or any search engine) and search on “arbor supply”. Look at all the neat stuff and perhaps you’ll get gadget fever.
Don’t worry, it’s a good thing.

3. Get the basic training video by clicking on this link: www.treeclimbing.com/

4. Buy gear & attend recreational tree climbing classes.
NOTE: You can attend a climbing class before you buy any climbing gear. The school will give you everything you need to take the class.

Before long you’ll be giving up your Saturdays on the golf course to climb trees and perch with the birdies!

Hope to see ya post here again soon.
Regards,
Electrojake

Hi there.
This is infact my first post. I've been climbing here in Australia for a few years
The best advice i can give you is read plenty of the questions, answers and adcide littered throughout this great website. It can get a bit addictive at times but you can gain a small amount of knoweledge before you hit the ropes with anyone so its a good comprimise.
I was and still are self taught as i think of somthing different or read about it, i try it out hanging a few inches above the ground hanging from the roof of my gararge, then a small tree, then up into the wilderness after housr of practice. i've read here.
LOW AND SLOW. great advise in my mind.
And if possible, get someone more advanced then yourself to help out.
and the best thing is, all the practice is still great fun

Hope this might help,

Matt

Hey LittleElm,
I'm in Plano, TX - not far from you. I am also just starting out. Perhaps we can learn it together. There is an RTC group in Dallas but they have been inactive for quite some time now. I've actually been obsessed about RTC for about a year now. I've spent countless hours researching, learning and practicing my knot tying. But due to financial and physical issues, I had not been able to get into a tree til now. I am finally about to get my first basic gear.
As stated previously, the best way to learn is from those who have tons of experience with this. The people on this and other RTC message boards really know their stuff. Learn all you can from them. If you are able to, I suggest taking a course from a certified instructor. But, in my case, I can't take time off work to travel to another state to take a course and I certainly cant fork over that kind of money for the course fees. So , I have done literally everything possible to learn all that I can about this without actually getting up in a tree. ( I tie knots in my sleep!) This allowed me to learn the ropes as I save money and let my surgery heal. I'll share more with you if you wish. Look me up if ya want to "hang".. I am soo ready to climb. Peace..

Welcome Orion & aussietreeclimber too!
I sure hope LittleElmTexas finds the time to check back in here at the TCI message board. Ya know these message boards run hot & cold. Sometimes it takes a while to get a thread going.

Wow, Australia & Texas, opisite ends of the planet! At least this message board brings us a little closer.
Good to see you fellows post. I hope L.E.T. makes it back here to check in.

Regards,
-Ej-
P.S. Orion, thanks for posting a little something about yourself in the “Profile” section of the message board. It’s appreciated!
Later,
-Ej-