Would-be climber out on a limb (+ video)

Stef White, of Queenstown, shows the skills that have earned her the title of New Zealand speed...
Stef White, of Queenstown, shows the skills that have earned her the title of New Zealand speed tree climbing women’s champion. Photos by Blair Pattinson.
Queenstown reporter Tracey Roxburgh attempts to climb her first tree under the watchful eye of...
Queenstown reporter Tracey Roxburgh attempts to climb her first tree under the watchful eye of New Zealand women’s speed tree climbing champion Stef White, of Queenstown.
Queenstown reporter Tracey Roxburgh attempts to climb her first tree under the watchful eye of...
Queenstown reporter Tracey Roxburgh attempts to climb her first tree under the watchful eye of New Zealand women’s speed tree climbing champion Stef White, of Queenstown.
Queenstown reporter Tracey Roxburgh attempts to climb her first tree under the watchful eye of...
Queenstown reporter Tracey Roxburgh attempts to climb her first tree under the watchful eye of New Zealand women’s speed tree climbing champion Stef White, of Queenstown.

I'm about 5m off the ground, slowly spinning, while dangling from a rope which has been looped over a tree branch.

It appears I am really, properly stuck.

Part of the rope - which I am clinging to for dear life - has been threaded through a strange contraption attached to my shoe.

It has, until this point, given me traction while I have inched my way slowly up this godforsaken tree in between spinning and bashing into the trunk.

But now the rope is caught in its metal teeth.

My leg is stuck at an awkward angle with my knee bent, and cramp is setting in around my hip flexor.

It is fair to say I am in a spot of bother and wondering why I allowed myself to be convinced to have a go at tree climbing - one of the events at this weekend's Rural Games in Queenstown.

While I'm silently questioning my sanity, New Zealand Women's Tree Climbing champion Stef White - who later this year will head to the world championships in the United States - is effortlessly shimmying up her rope to reach me.

It took me almost an hour to get this far.

Stef has covered the same distance in mere seconds and confirms I am in need of a "rescue''.

It's around this point I tell Stef that I am not great with heights.

Specifically, falling from them.

Her answer to that is simple: once I get "on'' a branch I'll be fine.

I feel strongly like that is not necessary - I'll be happy enough just to touch the branch ... but Stef has other ideas.

In the blink of an eye she helps me to get within kicking distance of it.

The next thing I know I've (in the most unlady-like fashion) manoeuvred myself to a sitting position, with a death grip on the tree trunk, petrified of moving a muscle.

Stef informs me the only way for me to get down from this position is to stand up.

My legs have become jelly, and my arms, and I have have no strength left.

Thankfully, Stef possesses a type of superhuman strength and in no time I'm standing on the branch (still with the death grip), feeling like I've just conquered my Everest.

And that's when I realise, as Newton said what goes up must come down.

There's a reason Stef - who works for Asplundh in Queenstown - is New Zealand's best.

She could be part spider monkey, flying through the tree without a second's hesitation, happily talking me through the elements of the work climb, one of two speed tree climbing events being held as part of the Rural Games.

Last year she was named the New Zealand champion after an impressive outing at the NZ Arb National Tree Climbing Championships in Nelson.

She and fellow climber Nicky Ward-Allen will travel to San Antonio in April to compete at the International Tree Climbing Championships.

Stef also travelled to test herself against the world's best last year, but was disqualified in her first climb after breaking a branch.

While today's event will feature only men, NZ Tree Climbing Competition committee chairman David James, of Blenheim, said he hoped to include at least one female from each country next year, potentially allowing Stef to show off her incredible skill set to a home crowd.

tracey.roxburgh@odt.co.nz

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