--PICTURES-- Climbing and Hammocking in the Winter Treetops

[lazy river road]

Those pic's left me speechless. WoW is about all I can say. Very very cool that takes elevating your perspective to a whole new level!!!

[SmokeBait]

Very cool! I think I'll stick with 18" up but enjoyed reading about your hang.

[Refreshing]

what's the weight of the extra gear you need to carry to be able to do this?

Last time I measured my base winter pack weight was under 20 lbs (excluding food and any gear specific to climbing). I have never measured the weight of my climbing gear . This is the extra stuff that I carry for the climbing:

100 feet of 11mm static climbing rope (8 lbs?)
150 feet of throwline + throw weight and case (2 lbs?)
20 feet of paracord with grapnel hook (<1 lbs)
80 feet of paracord for misc use (<1 lbs)
Harness (<2 lbs)
6 bent gate biners, 3 ovals, 3 lockers (1-2 lbs?)
Grigri (1 lbs?)
Backup belay device and prusik loops (<1 lbs)
Insulated leather gloves (1> lbs)

So very ruffly about 18 pounds extra? I consider myself weight conscious though. I dont know any other tree climber that uses such a short climbing rope and all of my gear is made for rockclimbers who are also a lot more weight consious than most arborists/tree climbers.

Refreshing

[Dos]

these pics were spectacular! I would not hesitate to try this a few times.
just....wow !

[Refreshing]

Thanks for all of the compliments guys!
I am psyched that the pictures were enjoyed so much. I hope my story was... refreshing.



Refreshing

[Nighthauk]

Of course! Why didn't i think of that? Haha. I was always a bit worried about the swing that would occur if my hammock did give out but what a simple solution! Is it safe to assume that a leader is just a huge branch?



What is the definition of a widow maker in the arborist community? I am embarrassed to admit that I am not completely competent when determining a good branch vs a dangerous one. I was a bit worried about this trip because it was the first time I was going to climb in a leafless tree (leafs help me determine how alive or dead a branch is). It worked out great being in a coniferous tree and I always followed the 3 points of contact rule so if the new branch that I was grabbing or stepping on broke I would still have three points of contact holding me up.

Well I would start looking at the crotch itself. I would wrap the rope around the biggest part of the limb. Yes a leader is the Main Branch of the tree. I would make sure there isn't any dead wood on the tie in leader. Mushrooms,fungi or separating bark are all good indicators of die back on the leader. I also would not tie into any branch that is less than 50* from horizontal.

[Hi5]

You should move to Oregon and join up with Filmmaker John Waller's team.
He just made a film titled Treeverse. The film is about his Five-day journey living and moving though the trees without ever touching the ground.

http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segm.../1790?q=canopy

[Refreshing]

^DUDE! If that link plays the whole movie, well, then I love you. Ha, but seriously, I have watched the trailer like 20 times and have been trying to find where I can see or buy the movie but have been unable to locate anything. I am at work and cant play flash videos so I have my fingers crossed.

Well I would start looking at the crotch itself. I would wrap the rope around the biggest part of the limb. Yes a leader is the Main Branch of the tree. I would make sure there isn't any dead wood on the tie in leader. Mushrooms,fungi or separating bark are all good indicators of die back on the leader. I also would not tie into any branch that is less than 50* from horizontal.

This is prime information man. I have been trying to go on a climb with some local arborists so I can learn more about the trees themselves but so far it hasnt worked out. i never touch trees that have any sign of disease or falling-apart so I think I am doing OK thus far however I am a bit confused about "50* from horizontal". So are you saying that if the branches are not within 40* of straight up and down I should not use them? What about on trees like this white pine? All of the branches within throwing or slingshot distance were horizontal.

Refreshing

[DavyRay]

1. I'm jealous.

2. You're a nut.

3. I have "The Wild Trees". Have you read it?

[skippy]

Good story....Thanks for posting!