DAY 122

DAY 122
08.04.07
TREE 36 (+1)

Just across the path from tree one is today’s reclimb. It was nice that they had mowed around the trees in this area so I didn’t have to trudge though high grass. I am not sure if this is a common experience every year or if my climbing exacerbates the problem, but many trees I revisit seem to have more dead branches or they have fallen off all together. As I climbed up in this relatively small tree it became a quick challenge as there were few strong limbs spread far apart. I chose the main limb towards my tag but had to go back and forth between another to make it. There were also the vines growing in the tree that kept tripping up my legs. I remember those but remembering them can’t change the nuisance of them. With a lot of pulling I got to my previous high point then went a little higher to the top where the limb was thin. A good view from the tree to the Calving Barn, then I began to sway. Possibly one of the most flexible and fun sways. I took another video and though I moved far off center I really felt the tree was very strong. I grabbed a huge leaf to contrast the baby one from May and climbed down. As I went I looked to the neighboring tree for a possible transfer. Even with the lean I couldn’t get into it up this high so I climbed down some more. Finally on my third try, and some near splits, I got in the other tree. Down a little further then I had to transfer back. This really got me sweaty but was really fun and made the climb a good one.

Looking up between the two trees

The Calving Barn Studios of the Mary Anderson Center



Leaf I picked on first climb in May ’07

8-4-08:  “I am not sure if this is a common experience every year or if my climbing exacerbates the problem, but many trees I revisit seem to have more dead branches or they have fallen off all together.”  What I mean by that was, many times I would return to a tree and find limbs dead or dying that weren’t before.  I was wondering if this was a natural occurrence for most trees, or if I was the cause.  I do know that on many climbs I break limbs but mostly ones that are already dead.  I guess it is really hard for me to know for certain if the weight of my body on certain limbs causes them to die.  I hope not, but I have never been back to a tree and seen every limb I have touched start to die.  I am not the tree equivalent of Death. 

Also, isn’t it amazing how fast leaves grow?  The two pictures of the leaves above are pretty accurate for size in real life and relative to each other.  I remember thinking how neat it was that the little leaf was fuzzy and red, but by comparison the older larger leaf is so slick and green.  Nature does wondrous things.

Oh, and tell me of the video made you sick… I hope not.  I thought that the video was one of the best representations of what it looks like to sway.  I tried to keep my camera stationary against the limb so you could really get a sense of the movement. 

On to yesterdays climb.  I went to an open gym session at Flip City Gymnastics with some parkour guys in the early afternoon.  I biked there and back as well and by the time it was 4:30, I was completely wiped out.  I had plans to eat at my parents so I just showered and drove to their place.  Then Drew called and invited me to his parents to hang out.  After dinner, my energy began to return so I figured I’d get my climb in on the way to Drew’s.  I chose Ballard High School again for my climbing grounds.  I had seen this tree in the past and figured it would be a good climb in my sore and tired condition.  But as I rolled by the parking lot I noticed a nice tall sycamore right next to the football practice field that called my name.  I u-turned and parked right in front of it.  It had the perfect first limb an easy jumping distance from the ground and up I went.  The climb was fast and there were so many good strong limbs the entire way to the top.  And lucky for me the sun was just setting.


I also had a pretty great view of all the buildings on the Ballard Campus.



(I can’t believe they named this “arts” building after Sandy Allen.  She was the principle when I was there.  Her name would be better suited in a sports building since that is what she championed the most.)
I also soon realized that I had a view of downtown as well.

As I was shooting pictures I kept seeing cars drive onto the campus and park in the back corner of the middle parking lot.  It was teenagers looking for a place to hang out.  Oh the memories of hanging out in the high school parking lot.

I thought maybe they might see me.  But I don’t think they ever did.  Of all the different generations I think teenagers would be receptive to my project.  They aren’t far from the youthful days of climbing trees and they have an adventurous mindset.  Not to mention they despise authority and there is something about tree climbing as an adult that feels like you’re doing something illegal.  (Maybe that’s just me because I’ve been kicked out of so many trees.)  But then I get the feeling that teenagers, specifically in groups may just laugh at the weird guy who climbs trees.  I didn’t get to find out either way. 

A few more pics before I end this entry.

The football practice field just below me.