Q: My rock climbing friends think tree climbing is boring. Why bother?

A: Tree climbing is an activity, not a thrill sport. The goal for most people is not just to make the climb, but to spend time peacefully enjoying the treetop. Tree climbers leave their troubles on the ground. Their new perspective on the world opens up fresh ideas and renewed excitement about life. After a climb, tree climbers feel refreshed and relaxed. Tree climbing is a spiritual thrill, not a physical one. Time and time again, this has led folks to feel increased respect for themselves and deep reverence for trees. Often, it moves them to take action that supports and preserves trees. At New Tribe, we love this. We believe that the more folks get up into the trees, the more hearts will be opened in this way. This is good for people, for trees, and for the larger world that supports us all.

 

Q: I'm afraid of heights. Will I ever be able to enjoy tree climbing?

A: Fear of heights (acrophobia) is a normal healthy thing. It doesn't have to keep you on the ground, however. Most people say they climbed trees "as a kid" and then quit when they grew up and acrophobia kicked in. Fear of heights keeps us safe because it causes us to be careful when there is a risk of falling. Anytime we are off the ground, there is a risk of falling. In tree climbing, we use rope and saddle to protect us from falls. As a new climber, once you learn to trust your equipment and your skill to use it safely, acrophobia settles down. It's always on your mind to help you climb safely, but it no longer makes you queasy or stops you from enjoying the experience of the trees. If you want to enjoy tree climbing, find a sensitive instructor you trust. You can learn to accept your fear, put it to work for you, and free yourself of discomfort from it. All tree climbers are afraid to fall. But they needn't be afraid to climb.

 

Q: Why do you use a peace pipe in your old logo? I appreciate what you guys are doing but a lot of people associate the peace pipe with marijuana or tobacco and I do not think it looks good for your company. I don't see where that goes with anything you represent.

A: Our use of the peace pipe is related to the meaning behind the Native American tradition. Tobacco was sacred to the old tribes, and was used only on ritual occasions. It is lamentable that now its use is so profane and deadly. If people think of today's tobacco or marijuana (or opium, or hashish, or even a medicinal herb), that says more about them than it does about us.

 

What matters more to us at New Tribe is the symbolism of the pipe itself, not the plant matter that burns in it. Sharing the calumet was a sign of agreement made between people who had found common ground. For us, it symbolizes agreement, and therefore a good connection, between each other and between us and our natural world. You could look at it as a form of handshake. In our logo, we show it within a circle that surrounds the earth. When you get right down to it, our vision is one of Peace on Earth.

At New Tribe, we help people connect with each other and with nature through the joy of tree climbing. We are dedicated to creating excellence in our products. We earn the trust of our customers by conducting our business with honesty and impeccable service. All of these activities are inspired by the principles of agreement represented by our peace pipe.

So much for the reason behind our first logo. In 2005 we decided to update our logo to better suggest our specialty of tree climbing. Although we let go of the peace pipe, we did retain the notion of Peace on Earth: the new image still features our beautiful earth, and the tree depicted is the olive branch of peace.  

Q: What is the first rule of safety while tree climbing?

A: Stay tied in every moment you are off the ground. Never expose yourself to a fall. If you change from one safety line to another, secure the second one before you undo the first. Even when you are comfortable sitting on a branch or relaxing in a hammock, you are still at risk for a fall. Gravity Rules! Stay tied in!

Q: How important is wearing a helmet or goggles for tree climbing?

A: Helmets are recommended for general climbing safety, and are especially important in group climbs where the hazard of falling branches increases with increased activity in the tree. It's not just falling branches to be wary of -- unexpected swings are also a danger.

We like the Petzl Helmets, and we carry three models. Many kinds of helmets are good, including those used by cyclists, cavers and hang gliders. Some use industrial hard hats.

 

Just as important is eye protection, since climbing loosens fine debris that can be disabling if it gets into your eyes. A wide variety of safety glasses are available at hardware stores and sporting goods suppliers.

 

Q: Do you accept international orders? How do I pay, and how do you ship? Do you have any distributors outside the US?

A: The nearest location for customers in INDONESIA to buy New Tribe gear is at Allsports Equipment, 111 North Bridge Road, #04-64 Peninsula Plaza, Singapore 179098

In UNITED KINGDOM, you can find a selection of New Tribe gear at Proclimber in Wales. Although their prices will be higher than ours, you'll do well to avoid import costs by buying locally. Of course, you are always welcome to buy anytime from our online store.

Other international customers can order equipment directly from us in Oregon, USA. Payment can be by Visa/MasterCard, or by bank transfer, International Money Order, or Cashier's Check. All funds must be in US dollars. We usually ship international orders using Global Express Mail. If you wish to place an order, please choose the items you want from our catalog at Store and order online, or send us an email. We will figure your cost including shipping, and let you know. Then you decide which form of payment you prefer and we can ship your order as soon as payment is received.

Q: Do you offer discounts on large orders?

A: Yes. Orders totaling $1200 or more receive a 5% discount on the New Tribe products in the order, and orders of $2500 or more receive a 10% discount on the New Tribe items. Please note that these discounts will not be allowed on items already discounted, like our Door One specials and our Kits. These discounts do not apply to items made by other manufacturers, like rope and carabiners.

Q: Do you have a wholesale program?

A: Yes. Selected items from our catalog are available at wholesale to qualified dealers. Contact us by phone, fax or email to inquire.

Q: Do you offer discounts to a business such as ours? We want to buy a dozen or more of your saddles, to outfit our new business as tree climbing instructors.

A: We have a wholesale program for retailers who buy sufficient volume every year to make the lower price reasonable for us. Your situation is different, and falls into the retail price category. As a retail customer, you can take advantage of our discount program described above. Even if your purchases don't qualify for these discounts, you'll be getting top-quality gear that's perfect for recreational climbing and will hold its value well over the years - a business asset well worth the price.

 

Q: What gear do I need to start Doubled Rope Technique (DRT) climbing?

A: Check out our Instructor's Choice Doubled Rope Technique Kit , which lists our favorite combination of gear for the beginning climber. We also like Dick Flowers' basic selection, below. Dick wrote the book on recreational tree climbing. He's been teaching climbing for years. Here's his favorite setup for beginners:

 

 

Q: What gear do I need to start climbing tall trees with Single Rope Technique (SRT)?

A: The drawback to making a list of suggested gear for Single Rope Technique is that there are a lot of climbing styles and individual needs vary a lot. Look at our SRT Kit to see our favorite setup. For climbing tall trees, you'll need tools for entry, tools for ascent, and tools for descent. Here's an outline:

 

 

Q: I'm new to climbing and want to prune my own trees. What climbing gear do I need?

A: Some words of caution: if you are new to rope and harness, we STRONGLY advise you to learn how to stay safe, with an experienced climbing instructor. Also, there is much to know about rigging safety when lowering cut branches. Knowing how and where to make cuts is a science, with a lot to learn about ensuring the long term health of your trees. In the long run, you could save money and risk by hiring a pro to do your tree work.

 

That said, take a look at our Instructor's Choice DRT Kit. This is a complete selection of items for a beginning climber doing the kind of activity you describe. If you want to spend less, call us and we can help you choose the barest essential items to get you started.

 

We highly recommend Jeff Jepson's Tree Climber's Companion. This book is designed for working arborists to carry with them on the job, as a reference for safe tree-trimming practice.

 

Q: I want to join the tree sitters to help protect our forests. What gear do I need to get started?

A: Check out our SRT Kit. This is a good list to start from. You can pare down from there. Your associates who do tree sits really know how to cut corners without cutting safety...too much. We think they sometimes go too far (sometimes due to short cash, they have no choice), but nobody can give you better info about minimalist tree gear than your fellow tree sitters.

 

The big logging companies are getting more and more desperate to stop protesters. If you are going to occupy a tree for the sake of the forest, be passionate about it. You've got to be ready to risk your health and freedom, or you'd better stay on the ground.

 

Q: When do I need a bow & arrow for tree entry, and what equipment do I need?

A: On our Technical Matters page we reprint an article on Bow & Arrow Tree Entry by Tom Ness, from the Tree Climbers International newsletter archive. The targets for bow & arrow entry are usually tall conifers with the lowest anchor branch in the 90 - 120 foot range. A pistol crossbow or slingshot might be better for the 50 - 80 foot range you would need for big broad trees like oaks.

Pistol crossbows and compound bows are now the most commonly used tools for access to tall conifer crowns here in the Pacific Northwest. The "Big Shot" slingshot from Sherrill's Arborist Supply can hit about 120 feet. It is bulky to carry into the field, and some users say it's difficult to moderate the pull to control the height of your shot. Experimentation is underway now with smaller slingshots. So far, there is no way to set a rope in a tall tree that doesn't require clever equipment and a lot of strength, skill, and practice.

 

Q: What techniques and equipment do you recommend for setting up climbing events for kids?

A: About technique: SRT is not safe for kids' events unless the rope is rigged through a pulley at the top with a Rescue 8 or other belay device at the ground, so that the climber-in-charge (let's call him/her "Coach") can lower the child after s/he's topped out on ascenders. In the context of a busy public event, having a child switch to rappel is too risky, and too time-consuming for the Coach. We like to set this up if we have enough Coaches to safely operate it.

 

The safest, most efficient way to give a lot of kids a climb was pioneered by Peter Jenkins and the Atlanta folks at Tree Climbers International. At New Tribe, we do it with the Blake's hitch setup. We rig an access rope separate from the kids' ropes, within reach of the kids' ropes and always open for emergency use. We set several kids' ropes with rope sleeves, with the hitch all ready to go and a prussik foot loop on each line. Then the kids can clip in, quickly learn to operate the hitch, and go on up. Once the child leaves the ground we teach them to tie safety knots in their running rope every 6 feet of ascent. These are slip knots that can only be pulled out from below. The knots stop an accidental fast descent before it can become dangerous. The knots are fun to teach them and give the kids a measure of how far they've climbed. Children relax and have more fun because they know they can come down on their own, when they want to. One Coach can supervise two or three lines. If we have time and not too many kids, we can teach them to tie their own Blake's hitch and pass our inspection before they leave the ground.

 

Sometimes we combine these two methods in one event, letting the kids choose to try one or both. The excitement is always huge. We solved the problem of "whose turn is it?" by telling the kids to work it out for themselves, and line up. We ask every kid to get parent's permission before clipping in. We set up a goal at the top of each rope. It might be a landing branch to stand on, or a Treeboat Hammock to climb into. When crowds are big, it's better to have a goal like a bell to ring, or a bottle of bubbles to blow. We always keep the access line open for a Coach to climb in case someone needs attention at the top.

 

About equipment: Gear requirements can be pretty simple. Saddle, carabiner, helmet (and gloves, to avoid blisters) for each line you set. Three ropes per Coach, maximum. Two Coaches per event, minimum. We found that we didn't have time to sit down for lunch or get to the bathroom all day unless we planned for it and stopped the event, or spelled each other. Kids love this event and will come back for seconds and thirds if they can. You can be swamped all day. It makes for a wonderful kind of exhaustion at the end of the day. And it does inspire kids to see trees and arborists in a new light.

 

Q: Where can I get climbing gloves for little kids?

A: We have searched far and wide for these. The best we've seen are gardening gloves sized for children, which are available at some hardware stores and through online garden supply companies. Even these are too large for most kids under age 8. Our friend Brad Dietrich on Vancouver Island, BC, found some truly XS size garden gloves, item AH150, through www.leevalley.com. Brad says, "They are just right for my seven-year-old, and actually too small for my ten-year-old!" These gloves are the same as the "Botanically Correct" size XS sold by Watson Gloves. Thanks for the tip, Brad!

 

Q: Are the New Tribe Saddles adjustable for size?

A: Our saddles are not adjustable, except for the cinch strap at the waist that stabilizes the belt in position on your body. The legstraps are designed to be loose. Each saddle size fits a variety of people whose measurements are within the range on our size charts. Click here to see our size chart.

Q: Can you make a Work Saddle in extra small size (waist 24", weight 95 lbs)?

A: We've found that the bulkiness of our work saddle pads is overkill for smaller people. Even for rescue work, we'd recommend one of our recreational saddles for extra-small people. A lightweight person will be plenty comfortable without the beefy padding of our pro saddles. We can customize a recreational saddle the same way we do for the Work Saddle, so you can choose whatever rings, loops and hooks you want that will fit on the shorter belt of an extra-small saddle.

 

Q: Can you fit an extra-extra large person with a New Tribe saddle? My measurements are way over the sizes you show on your chart.

A: We can make a customized saddle to fit you. We'll need to know your waist and upper thigh measurements, and your height and weight. We will let you know the price of your special saddle when we talk to you. The feedback we've received is that larger folks have a harder time with balance and body position. You'll use a lot of energy just keeping yourself upright. See the next Q/A below for more information about solving balance problems.

 

Q: When I relax hanging in a tree saddle, I tip over backwards. What can I do to get a better balance?

A: This is the notorious "overbalance problem." If you are of average height and weight, this can happen if your saddle is the wrong size, placing your suspension point in the wrong place for good comfortable balance. We can help you select the right size or exchange your New Tribe saddle for one that will work for you.

 

Overbalance can also be an issue for larger folks, or for those who carry more weight in their upper body. You'll find that you spend a lot of energy using your arms clinging to the rope to stay upright in the saddle. In this case, you'll be more comfortable adding a chest harness and Petzl Microcender to do the balance work for you. We offer two kinds of chest harness for you to choose from.

 

Q: Can I hang on my saddle's tool loops for life safety?

A: WARNING: The rolled aluminum rings, snaphooks and gear loops on your New Tribe saddle are intended for gear carrying only. They are not rated for life safety. DO NOT use these tool loops for any part of your life-safety rigging. In a New Tribe Saddle, the life-safety hookup points include the screw link at center front (primary safety) --or-- the forged D rings at the sides, when these D-rings are used together with a lanyard or rope running through both. There is no rear life-safety attachment point on your standard saddle (although we can install a rescue ring at the rear of a saddle belt when we build a custom saddle). Climb safe, and clip your equipment into your tool loops, not your life.

Q: Is it safe to hang upside-down in a New Tribe Saddle?

A: Our New Tribe saddles, when properly fitted to the climber's size, are safe for "bat hang," even for small kids and small-hipped grownups. We've used them in countless Kids' Climbs at fairs, ISA shows and private climbs, for over 15 years. With the saddle properly fitted with the cinch strap snug at the waist, it stays in place no matter what maneuvers a climber makes. We can't say that it is impossible to slip out of our saddle when hanging upside-down, but no one has yet been able to do it.

 

Q: You sell aluminum and steel carabiners. Should I stick with one type of metal or is it ok to use both steel and aluminum?

Feel free to choose any combination of carabiners you like. The heavier weight of steel makes it better for use as a throw weight at the end of a strap or line; the lighter weight of aluminum helps reduce the overall load of your climbing gear. Some people prefer not to mix metals, since aluminum is softer than steel and could conceivably be damaged by contact with it. We don't notice any drawbacks to using them together for tree climbing activities.

 

Q: How do I wash my climbing rope without damaging it?

A: Best way to wash rope:

--Put the rope into a net or mesh bag. If you don't have a mesh bag, you can reduce tangling of your rope by doubling it and then chaining it beginning at the center and working out towards the ends.

--Use gentle soap, NOT detergent .

--Put the bag of rope into a bathtub of soapy water and dance around on it. OR put the bag of rope into a washing machine and wash on Delicate cycle.

--Rinse well in clear water, hang to dry.

 

Never use solvents or harsh detergents on your climbing ropes.

 

There is also a device called a Rope Washer that you could try. Look for it at mountaineering/rock climbing stores. It attaches to a water hose. As you feed the rope through the device, the water is forced through the fibers of the rope. No soap is used.

 

Q: What's the best way to cut and seal climbing rope at home?

A: To cut a rope yourself: mark a line at the cut location, then wrap a piece of electrician's tape securely around the rope at both sides of the line, allowing about 3/8" of exposed rope at the cut line. Then slice the rope at the cut line using a sharp blade. Fuse the cut fibers with a flame, rolling the hot end on a flat surface to keep the melted nylon from forming a bulky blob. Leave the tape in place to strengthen the cut end.

 

Q: Do you sell sleeping platforms for tree camping?

A: We have the Treeboat Hammock, lighter, less cumbersome, and more versatile than a platform. It is easier to rig and reeeeeeally comfortable. It holds two people (or more) and you can stand up in it. It's perfect for sleeping one person all night.

 

We don't carry platforms, and don't see the need for them when the Treeboat serves the purpose so well. Some climbers use Portaledge, same as rock climbers use to bivouac on cliff faces. They like it because it is flat and offers a double-wide version that sleeps two side-by-side. You could buy a complete set of climbing gear plus Treeboat for the price of one Portaledge.

 

Q: I feel stress in my knee joints lying in your Treeboat Hammock. Why not build a cushion into it, to support the backs of the knees?

A: We've always understood the need for a "knee lift" for best comfort in any hammock, including our Treeboat. So far, the best remedies for this come from the resourcefulness of the individual users. We use a backpack, or a rolled-up jacket, or a large pillow, depending on what we've got handy. If you are high in a tree, you can pull up your rope, stuff it in a bag, and use that as a knee-lift. We like the idea of an inflatable pillow, perhaps with ties to secure it to the Treeboat in a variety of locations. There are many individual preferences, so it would be tough to arrive at a single built-in solution that would be right for everybody. So far, it seems best to keep the design of the Treeboat simple, versatile, and affordable.

 

Q: Which keeps the Treeboat warmer, your Cozy insulation, or a pad like Thermarest™?

A: We haven't done any scientific testing, but here's what we've experienced:

 

The Cozy provides a soothing reflective warmth that envelops the hammock from side to side, and end to end. It wraps more insulation around you, compared to the pad.

 

A Thermarest™ (or equivalent) pad is superb used inside the sleeve of our Sleeved Treeboat. It adds a cushion value in addition to warmth, on the deck of the Treeboat but not up the sides. We've found that while the all-around warmth of the Cozy is snug and wonderful, Treeboat comfort with only a pad is good throughout a cool summer night. (Backpackers know that a pad is more versatile than the Cozy, as well.)

 

For ultimate warmth even in winter, use the Cozy and a pad together with the Sleeved Treeboat.

 

Q: Should I stay tied in for safety when I sleep in a Treeboat? The Treeboat is so deep and comfortable, it seems fine to take off my safety overnight.

A: YES absolutely, stay tied in overnight. Don't let the comfort of the Treeboat fool you. You are still high off the ground, and all the safety rules are in force all night long.

 

Q: Can I use my hiking poles to set up my Treeboat and Tent above the tree line?

A: The Treeboat requires two to four very strong anchor points that have a minimum of 3 feet clearance below. Nature provides these in abundance in trees, and sometimes in rock. If you are camping above the tree line, such anchor points will be scarce. The pull force on Treeboat's lines can quickly climb to 1000 lbs, so your hiking poles will fail. Our Rainfly and Tent are designed to mount on the Treeboat after it is set up above the ground. The Tent cannot stand alone on the ground; the Rainfly might work alone with your hiking poles, but it would be awkward to set up and it has no floor.

 

Q: I'm backpacking in bear country and want to make a Treeboat camp above the ground out of reach of bears. What do you think?

A: Sometimes you'll find a tree with the right architecture to set a Treeboat above-ground in a single tree. Sometimes you'll find two trees that are 8 to 12 feet apart and the right size to set the hammock between them at the height you want. If so, you'll have to rig and climb both trees (one at a time) to set up your camp. You'll need to carry rope, saddle, carabiners, and hammock in addition to your other pack items. Your idea is possible, but may be a bit cumbersome when you get all the required gear together. People we know with experience in bear country are more concerned about getting their food out of reach than their whole camp.