The top tree climbers worldwide gathered on August 11, 2023, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, US, to compete in the 2023 International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC).
The three-day event took place in Hyder Park, a recreational park in a small community, and featured men and women competing in a series of events— Aerial Rescue, Work Climb, Ascent, Belayed Speed Climb, and Throwline — and showcasing new tree climbing techniques and equipment.
This year’s event was more competitive than ever, with 46 men and 35 female climbers, making it the ITCC with the highest number of female competitors to date.
The winners of the 2023 ITCC were Barton Allen-Hall from Arboriculture Australia and Josephine Hedger from the United Kingdom/Ireland Chapter.
This year, Hedger broke the record for female competitors with the most ITCC Championships. Hedger has currently won the ITCC Masters’ Challenge six times. Chrissy Spence from New Zealand previously held the record.
“It’s an honor, really,” said Hedger. “I work hard for it and do a lot of training. The level goes up yearly, so although I’ve won it before, I’m a better climber each time.”
The 2023 ITCC was the second time Allen-Hall has won the competition.
“There’s almost no better feeling,” said Allen-Hall. “What I and the other competitors give to this sport is everything. It’s an amazing feeling when you are recognized as the best in the world at what you do.”
ISA World Championship results
Aerial Rescue
1 James Earhart Mid-Atlantic (US) 45.00
2 Barton Allen-Hall 2022 ITCC – Australia 167.31
3 James Kilpatrick 2023 ETCC – Germany 44.00
Belayed Speed Climb
1 Victor v. Magnus – Germany 22.52
2 David Sedlak – Czech Republic 23.91
3 James Earhart – Mid-Atlantic (US) 24.39
Ascent Event
1. David Sedlak – Czech Republic 12.35
2 Jack Lewis – Arboriculture Australia 13.03
3 Jeff Inman 2022 NATCC – (US) 13.24
Throwline
1. Tanguy Bonniord – France 29
2 Barton Allen-Hall 2022 ITCC – Australia 28
3 James Kilpatrick 2023 ETCC – Germany 28
Work Climb
1. James Kilpatrick 2023 ETCC – Germany 66.07
2. Barton Allen-Hall 2022 ITCC – Australia 65.79
3. Jack Lewis – Arboriculture Australia 65.67
Masters’ Winners
1. Barton Allen-Hall 2022 ITCC – Australia 266.00
2 Jack Lewis – Arboriculture Australia 252.67
3. James Kilpatrick 2023 ETCC – Germany 216.67
4. James Earhart Mid-Atlantic – (US) 212.33
5. Tanguy Bonniord – France 168.67
See more at itcc-isa.com.
