Climb with caution. Wear light footwear (sand-shoes, gym boots). Under no circumstances 'skylark' or 'show-off' when aloft.

Wear a safety belt. Check its condition thoroughly and test it (with your full weight) on the lower bole of the tree before you climb. Ensure the buckle is engaged, the belt tongue is secure in its keeper, and the belt itself is not so tight that your movement is restricted. Do not climb until you have full confidence in the belt.

Climb a vertical ladder unsecured at the top by holding the tree bole with the hands.

Secure each ladder section firmly to the tree before ascending further. Dispense with ladders once the green crown is reached except on trees with long internodes or fine branches.

When attaching a new section to an already secured ladder, stand on the second or third rung from the top, secure your safety belt to the tree, and thread the new section of ladder between your person and the tree into the female coupling. If the tree is sinuous, it may be necessary to loosen the chain securing the upper section of ladder before the new section can be engaged.

The load limit for an extended set of climbing ladders is one person.

Except in exceptional circumstances, do not ascend a tree when another person is aloft. In the exceptional case, ensure the person aloft secures himself to the tree by safety belt and remains motionless while the second person climbs.

Ensure any equipment you carry while climbing (girth tape, bark gauge) is firmly secured to your person. If a piece of equipment is dropped or a pine cone or branch is dislodged scream a warning immediately to those below. Do not deliberately drop equipment from aloft. Persons on the ground must wear safety helmets and except when the climber requires a measurement of height above ground, should avoid standing under the tree being climbed.

Climb in the green crown making full use of branch crutches as holds for hands and feet. Test each branch before giving it your full weight.

Disengage a set of ladders one section at a time. Release the chain of the upper section and retreat to the second upper rung of the section below: secure safety belt. Gain a firm purchase on the lower rung(s) of the section to be removed and with a sideways 'to and fro' motion, disengage the ladder. Release the safety belt and carry the ladder to ground (thread one arm through the gap between the two upper rungs).

[climbing.htm] Revision: 4/2001
Cris.Brack@anu.edu.au