Q: Can Zombies climb?

A: Most every type of Zombie suffers from one impediment or another that keeps them from being good climbers. Some Zombies, like Type 1 Viral, are either too weak or too rotten to climb effectively, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t still dangerous. The movement of Type 2 Viral Zombies is typically so erratic and uncontrollable, that they lack the coordination needed when it comes to climbing most structures or surfaces… especially something like a tree or rock wall. When it comes to Haitian Vodun Zombies, they may actually be capable of climbing a wide variety of surfaces, but they typically have no need or desire to do so. Chemical Zombies, on the other hand, earn a more complicated answer than those previously mentioned.

Chemical Zombies often retain the ability to think, process, and coordinate their bodies as they see fit or as needed. Their more advanced abilities for coordination and thought is primarily due to the chemical preservation of the brain tissues and functions. But, like all Zombie types, the body of a Chemical Zombie can weaken and further decompose over time; this means that a fresh from death Chemical Zombie could very well climb a simple structure or even a tree… it given the proper enticement. Older, more decomposed Chemical Zombies, would undoubtedly have a more difficult time when it came to scaling a wall, fence, or tree… but it wouldn’t necessarily be impossible for them to do.

So, the good news is that no, most Zombies can not climb trees or ascend things like ladders, ropes, or even chain-link fences…

But up still isn’t always the best way to go. Imagine having climbed a tree or onto a roof to escape from an attacking Zombie, now imagine having to wait at least 6 months in that tree while the Zombie below you decomposes to a point of no longer being an active threat… It doesn’t sound like such a good idea anymore does it?

Not only would you have to out wait the first Zombie that ran you up the tree or onto the rooftop in the first place, you’d have to deal with any others that came to join it while it claws up at you and waits for you to come down. Being stuck in an exposed location like that could also lead to starvation, dehydration, and death by exposure.

Our advice? Stay away from trees, roof tops, and similar things like power poles. Keep your feet on the ground, and keep moving. If you do have to climb something, make it a fence or a wall with a safe way out on the other side..