Treetop camping: is it an extreme sport or just pure relaxation? Extreme sports are all about pushing the limits, boldly going where nobody else has gone before (just so you know, Star Trek is definitely not extreme, but the statement is so cool). It is about finding things that haven’t been done and turning it into something that makes you interesting and unusual. So, does treetop camping qualify?
What Is Treetop Camping?
Basically, treetop camping means you sleep in the middle of a tree, suspended from a branch. It all sounds very Katniss in the first book of The Hunger Games, but it isn’t actually as risky as that. You will be using so-called tree boats, which are like hammocks with four corners. Each of these hammocks is safely attached to branches.
Ok, So It’s Not Extreme?
So, that doesn’t sound very extreme at all when you think about it, does it? That is until you find out that you will have to climb the tree yourself and that you will be pretty high up. You will also have to spend the night roped into various harnesses.
The Treetop Camping Experience
The entire treetop camping experience usually starts mid-afternoon. You start the day by climbing a few trees, like the one you sleep in. At the bottom of the tree, you will then enjoy a lovely group dinner, generally a nice barbeque, of course. After dinner, you will climb up your tree once more and will enter what has been aptly named “tree time.” You can meditate, go straight to sleep, think of other wonderful and extreme things to do, it’s all up to you. However, you are stuck there, so you may want to have one last toilet break before you go up there…
In the morning, you are likely to be woken up by the rising sun, after which you can enjoy breakfast in your tree boat or at the bottom of the tree. If you’re like most people, you will wake up with pressing bladder issues, so eating at the bottom of the tree may be more suitable since you will likely have to climb down first and foremost anyway. Around 11 in the morning, everybody will be expected to be out of their tree boats and back at the foot to participate in more tree climbing during the day.
The Verdict
So, is treetop camping extreme or not? In all honesty, probably not. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t make it a bit more extreme. For instance, you could try treetop camping in one of the giant redwoods in Canada or the northern United States. You could combine it with some more extreme rock climbing or bouldering. There are loads of possibilities. However, treetop camping is designed to be nice and relaxing, allowing you to be at home with your thoughts and nature.
