Kali Alcorn looks to defend tree-climbing title in Olds

Standing on a tree branch 10 metres off the ground is just another day on the job for Kali Alcorn.

It's also goodtraining for this weekend's activitiesat the2016 InternationalSociety of ArboriculturePrairie Chapter Tree Climbing Competition.

Alcorn, 29, is a professional arborist. But the industry also hosts competitions that test the abilities of people like her to scale trees and ropes in record time.

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Back in April, Alcorn competedin the40th annual International Tree Climbing Championships in San Antonio her first international competition.

Now, she's looking to defend her title closer to home.

"There's some really tough competition," Alcorn told CBC.

More women participating

A record-breaking nine women are among the competitors in this year's event, which takes place June 18 and 19 at Olds College.

"It's a men's industry," said Alcorn. "But to see so many women competing and getting into it, and pushing and fighting and working hard, it's just so great.I'm so stoked about it."

Alcorn will compete in five events, including climbing and aerial rescue. All of the events mimic what she and her fellow competitors do on a daily basis at work.

Despite her experience, Alcorn saysgoing out on a limb can still be intimidating.

"When it's windy up there, it's scary," she admitted. "I'm getting used to it now but I still get a little bit of motion sicknessbecause the tree doesn't just sway back and forthit twists and turns. It's a really bizarre feeling and sometimes I have to just grab onto the trunk and breathe for a minute."

Motion sickness aside, though, she says she wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

"It's my passion.I would never turn back," said Alcorn."I don't think I would ever leave this industry. It's amazing."