A 29-year-old arborist from Olds, Alberta will compete in her very first international tree climbing competition this weekend in Texas.

Kali Alcorn is one of roughly 60 professional tree climbers representing 18 different countries who will vie for the title of world champion at the 40th annual International Tree Climbing Championships on 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 and physics.

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

Alcorn's favourite event is the Work Climb — an obstacle course that tests 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.

The competition mimics real life scenarios that arborists may encounter and offers an opportunity for them to 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.

Alcorn said she won't know 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, Alcorn said she's been climbing as much as she can, running and 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.