Thread: Redwoods,climbing and laws?

With all do respect....

I am so sick and tired of the greenies blamming every environmental woe on mankind. I know I'm hitting the hornets nest here but tough. Climb the tree, have lunch in it while you're up there, take a nap, play a tune on your flute,...you get the idea. But enough of the namby pamby don't step on the grass nonsense. I'm all in favor of being a good steward of our natural resources. But the earth is here for us to utilise and enjoy.

Originally Posted by 2chops

With all do respect....

I am so sick and tired of the greenies blamming every environmental woe on mankind. I know I'm hitting the hornets nest here but tough. Climb the tree, have lunch in it while you're up there, take a nap, play a tune on your flute,...you get the idea. But enough of the namby pamby don't step on the grass nonsense. I'm all in favor of being a good steward of our natural resources. But the earth is here for us to utilise and enjoy.

+1

Is it true that it is illegal for humans to screw in state and national parks and forests?

I was just thinking about the impact that properly ascending a tree does, compared to the damage and defacing that rock climbers do on their climbs, yet their allowed to do it in our parks. As far as danger, well you couldn't get me on half dome or El Captain.
A Tree is of course a living thing, but to me thats all the more reason to climb them. Dr. Shigo said you have to touch them to understand them.
Of course there is the challenge of the climb, but to be in the top of a several thousand year old giant, would be like being in the presents of God.
I come from an era where there wasn't so much regulation and stupid laws. Its hard for me to be respectful of some of them.
I did get to climb a 140ft red Cedar yesterday, kind of a mini redwood. 150ft is where the first branch is on some Redwoods. Beastmaster

Howdy,

Another question may be: who will go with you? Its easy to go for a drive and find a tree, but a climbing partner is needed before this can happen.

If you keep up with these inquiries, a partner will surface. Having good gear and experience using it in smaller trees will make you a desireable buddy that others will feel comfortable being around in tight situations.

Is the climbing partner going to be someone of greater or lesser experience? Will you have to save them, or will they be the one who saves your bacon? Preparation by climbing regularly with your buddies will bring the experience levels closer.

The telltale statement about dynamic line, which is unusable with ascenders in a free ascent in lengths over 100' or so, shows the desire is not as important as big tree climbing techniques. These techniques should be practiced in smaller trees.

Even static lines of 200-300' have stretch issues that can leave a person hanging without the ability to get enough tension to progress upward. Stretch can require that much more line be released than is believed to be necessary. When transfer from the stretched line to another line or a lanyard is attempted, either of the lines may end up too short. Translated, this means the climber is stuck and in need of being bailed out by another climber. Being stuck is a tight situation, and it basically means that the only way out is to freeclimb or cut the rope.

There have been situations where the climbers have arrived up in the top of the tree without their descent device. It's amazing, but it happens. A buddy can see stuff that can be addressed before dire straits set in.

I hope you find a good one.

Thanks for the reply Oxman. I mentioned that rope to see what feed back I would get. I figured there had to be a reason why static rope are used besides just making it a little easier. I just happened to have that other rope. The Company I work for also does Aircraft recovery, We purchased it to repeal down to a plane that hit the side of a mountain a while back.
I have been perfecting my SRT skills each week at work. I don't have to tell you what 300 feet of a suitable line cost that I would need to ascend a three hundred foot tree. I was hoping to use that dynamic line to save money.
I like to think I am a skilled climber, but a climb like this(redwood) uses many different and new tech. so I am researching and practicing on smaller, but similar climbs. Thanks for your incite.

Originally Posted by mjellison

I was just using everest as an analogy to show what can happen when large amounts of humans go anywhere. I've been working in trees for 10 years now and everytime I'm In one I always break something or knock some moss or lichen off branches or freak out the wildlife no matter how careful I am. Wind is a natural thing, climbing a tree, damaging it and freaking out the wildlife for ones own pleasure isn't.

You might find amusement from a page I wrote, which slightly evolves every half year or so.

http://www.mdvaden.com/redwood_climbing.shtml

Originally Posted by moss

Easy does it, no one's talking about conquering anything, we love trees and use non damaging "soft" technique. The best options being discussed here are permitted or with permission. Being up in trees is a very different perspective from being on the ground, the climber forms a relationship with the tree, it's a sure way to gain deeper respect for them. Responsible climbers practice leave no trace woods ethics and treat the forest and the trees with respect.
-AJ

I don't think "relationship" is the the word I'd use, or "respect", but would go with appreciation.

Its evident that a climber feels a sensation up in the tree, that's different from the sensation on the ground.

Up in the tree, you can feel the tree move and flex for example, and you can see a long ways in the distance. On the other hand, on the ground, one can see far more trees and micro-habitats: literally covering more ground.

In the top of an old broken conifer, the climber may find that the flavor of huckleberry growing in decay tastes sweeter or different in the exposure of sun. But its on the ground, where one sees where extra plants germinated and grew where collected fog dripped off the limbs to the earth.

Originally Posted by M.D. Vaden

I don't think "relationship" is the the word I'd use, or "respect", but would go with appreciation.

Ya, relationship is a challenging concept, implies something reciprocal. But it's still the best word I can come up with to describe what happens when you climb a challenging tree in the forest. When you're standing on the ground looking up at it there's a lot you can figure out and understand about the tree. Everything changes during the climb, you REALLY get to know the tree, every aspect of the form and structure is revealed, how it moves in the wind, what it sounds like etc. etc, how it makes you feel (extreme fear, no fear, something in between). After you're back on the ground and look up you're seeing it through completely different eyes. I guess that understanding is what I think of as "relationship". It's same for many things that people have "relationships" with that are considered inanimate: cars, guns, tools, mountains, boots, you name it. Trees are not inanimate of course so they lend themselves even more to a feeling of relationship once you get to know one. Climbing is not the only way to get there but it certainly moves the process along.
-AJ

Originally Posted by moss

Ya, relationship is a challenging concept, implies something reciprocal. But it's still the best word I can come up with to describe what happens when you climb a challenging tree in the forest. When you're standing on the ground looking up at it there's a lot you can figure out and understand about the tree. Everything changes during the climb, you REALLY get to know the tree, every aspect of the form and structure is revealed, how it moves in the wind, what it sounds like etc. etc, how it makes you feel (extreme fear, no fear, something in between). After you're back on the ground and look up you're seeing it through completely different eyes. I guess that understanding is what I think of as "relationship". It's same for many things that people have "relationships" with that are considered inanimate: cars, guns, tools, mountains, boots, you name it. Trees are not inanimate of course so they lend themselves even more to a feeling of relationship once you get to know one. Climbing is not the only way to get there but it certainly moves the process along.
-AJ

You came to mind the other day Moss.

I was climbing around hand and foot in two huge Japanese maples. Nothing monumental, but fun.

Anyhow, was thinking about you and your love for trees.

Originally Posted by M.D. Vaden

I was climbing around hand and foot in two huge Japanese maples. Nothing monumental, but fun.

Glad you had the chance to get off the ground!

My wife and I are planning on visiting the redwoods in July, just to be there (not climb). I'm psyched!
-AJ

I had been thinking about climbing a few redwoods, kind of thinking otherwise now, at least until I find a safe spot. I could fit all my gear in a day pack so I could stay fairly inconspicuous. I can't imagine my gaffs and flip line taring up a tree with bark thicker than my head either..

Has anyone done this? This thread got me very interested.



Redwoods Tree Climbing

On 12/21/2012 3:07 PM, Richard wrote:
Can you send me more information on this? Cost, actual redwood trees?
Thanks

Sure thing! We're climbing Giant Sequoia in near the Giant Sequoia Kings Canyon national park. You can see information on this class, including dates, times and fees on this page:

COE - Courses - Climbing - Redwoods Tree Climbing Section 1

and I think the same information here:

Classes | Tree Climbing Institute

We cover all the basic skills for climbing this kind of tree. No experience is necessary, though some level of physical fitness is probably a good idea as the climbing is challenging. Most of the students are Cornell undergraduates, but anyone is welcome to join in.

-Mark

Go ahead and find a tree to climb! Sounds like it'd be a great adventure.