Alberta arborist to compete in world tree climbing competition

A 29-year-old arborist fromOlds,Alberta will compete in her very firstinternational tree climbing competition this weekend in Texas.

Kali Alcorn is one of roughly60 professional tree climbers representing18 different countries who will viefor the title of world champion at the 40th annualInternational Tree Climbing Championshipson April 2 and 3 at Brackenridge Park in San Antonio.

On Saturday, Alcorn will be challenged in five different qualifying events that will put not only her physical agility to the test, but also challenge her knowledge of tree biology, mathematics andphysics.

For example, she will have to "monkey up the tree as fast as [she] can and ring a bell,"rescuea 68-kilogram dummy placed 6 to 7.5 metres above the groundandclimba 50-foot vertical rope.

Alcorn's favourite event is the Work Climb an obstacle course thattests the competitor's ability to move about a tree using a tree-climbing rope and harness.

"It's kind of what I enjoy most about climbing, which is swinging through the canopy like a monkey," she said.

Competitionsimulates work conditions

Thecompetition mimics real life scenarios thatarboristsmay encounterand offers an opportunity for themto demonstrate and learn new climbing techniques, interact with other competitors, and provide public exposure for the profession.

"It's kind of an offshoot of my job," said Alcorn.

Alcornsaid she won'tknow the specific types of trees or obstacles she'll have to overcome until the day before the competition.

"It's a total mystery."

To train for the event, Alcornsaid she's been climbing as much as she can, runningand has even been practicing hot yoga.

"It's really hot here. I figure if I can handle that, I can handle this, maybe," she joked.

With files from Alberta@Noon