Most of us travel through life without ever getting to know our inner monkey.

But that's not the case for the folks who have climbed high into a canopy of trees soaring above an old-growth forest in Oregon.

I'm traveling around the Pacific Northwest this week, and while looking through guidebooks and such, I came across the Pacific Tree Climbing Institute, based in Eugene, Oregon.

The group offers an eco-adventure that's sure to appeal to tree-lovers and thrill-seekers alike: Ascending an ancient, massive fir, hemlock, or big leaf maple tree some 300 feet high in the Oregon wilderness. They scale massive trees, using traditional climbing gear, such as ropes, harnesses, and helmets.

By taking tourists high into the tree crowns, the guides teach people about a tree's ecosystem, as well as expose them to old growth forests. Old growth forests, which I'd never heard about until this trip, are ancient forests that haven't been disrupted by humans, through logging, clear-cutting, roads, and similar measures that endanger forests.

Tree climbers can choose how long they'd like to spend sitting above the forest floor. Some elect to spend a few hours kicking back in the outfit's "treeboats" (canvas hammocks strung from the branches.) Others decide they want to spend a night suspended from a tree. (Personally, I'd be too scared to toss and turn knowing that I was dangling some 300 ft. in the air.) The expeditions are priced from $200-$575.

If I had the extra time and money to check it out, I'd be willing to grapple with my fear of heights, and try it. Among other things, I'd love to get a bird's eye view onto this ecosystem that isn't visible from the ground. It'd be interesting to get an entirely different perspective on trees.

I also like the group's mission, which is to teach people -- in a very up-close and personal way -- that trees are more than just lumber. The risk, of course, is that by trying to educate people about the beauty and complexity of these ancient trees, they're also bringing tourism and human disruption to old growth forests (not to mention hoisting people up into the canopies) could cause lasting environmental damage.

Fortunately, the group's founders seem well-aware of the risks, and are taking steps to protect the trees. Their goal is to keep the impact to a minimum in order to educate people about the richness and biodiversity of these ancient forests.

So, go ahead and climb a tree to satisfy the monkey within. And, if you wind up becoming a confirmed treehugger in the process, that's all part of their plan.