DAY 167

For some reason this tree I reclimbed today had a place in my mind as a formidable beast.

A creature of great power to fear and respect. I must have been thoroughly shaken by my first climb because as I walked down the Mount St. Francis driveway I stretched my arms and clenched and unclenched my fists to prepare them to grip for my life. I climbed up on the newly installed rock in the landscaping near the tree to stretch my legs and get my heart pumping. I was mentally psyching myself up for this climb. As I approached the drooping limb I had used the first time it gave me pause because since that day, the droop has increased and damage to the limb is obvious.

But I had no other options and I knew if I tested other ways it would just wear out my ams like the first time. I had to avoid all weaknesses so I grabbed the partially cracked branch and put my weight on it. It lowered slightly and I heard more cracking so I quickly pulled myself up fast past the breaking point. Hand over hand, farther in until I could pull my feet up and rotate myself upright. It was a painless entry and my arms weren’t tired. So far so good. The first few feet were simple steps up strong branches but I knew a tough path above was coming. I used all that I have learned these past 166 days to make every step upward as easy and secure as I could. It was going quickly but I knew that spot, where I had inched up the large branch with no secure hold, was short at hand. A few more branches up and there it was. And then there was another branch. Something I could use this time to help my way. I stepped right, spread my left leg to the left, then up. Easy! I laughed. Those last couple of feet to my ribbon were no problem.

This climb was nothing. It just amazed me. Last time my thoughts were of falling and death. This time those thoughts never crossed my mind. I just enjoyed the late morning sun. I took some pictures and hoisted myself slightly higher on small but strong limbs.



Then, feeling that this reclimb was a momentous occasion that represented my progress, I secured my camera to a branch with my bendy tripod and shot a video to discuss my experience from the top of this huge tree.

Unfortunately there wasn’t a lot of memory left so I got cut off. But I wasn’t bothered. I just felt so comfortable and at peace up there. I moved freely, untethered by scary thoughts or fear. I climbed down with no problem. A slight drop, maybe a little more than I like, but I wasn’t going to put my weight in that broken limb again. Though I didn’t get higher than the first climb, this was by far the most obvious improvement in my ability and erosion of my fear.

9-19-08:  Not only did the video run out of memory, it also was shot UPSIDEDOWN.  My bendy tripod is cool but not very strong.  At least not for my camera.  When I set it up the camera drooped so I just left it.  I also still don’t have the program to edit so it remains as is.  I was just about to get into some good stuff too.  I think I went on for like 5 minutes after it stopped.  Oh well.  Another day, another tree, another chance for a video.

Wednesday evening I decided to make my reappearance at the U of L parkour meet-up.  I went there an hour early to climb a tree.  I locked my bike at the art building then started to walk towards the 3rdSt. playground.  On the way I saw this strange bush of a tree.  

What really caught my eye was how they cut the leaves away from the sidewalk.

They didn’t even attempt to make it look natural… they just chopped on a level horizontal.  Right underneath those cut limbs I ducked into the safety of the tree.  It was like a hidden room and I realized that this was some strange kind of beech tree. 

A weeping one perhaps.  The limbs where all twisted, drooping, and craggy.


I stepped onto the really low limb and began to climb up.  It was actually quite difficult once I got back the easy branches.  Towards the top they practically droop straight towards the ground.  Holding those limbs was like holding a dangling rope.  Only stiffer.  

In this picture you can see those limbs curving straight down.  You can also see my new parkour shoes.  They’ll soon look worn in… I hope.

After my climb I went to the playground and stretched.  I slowly got back into some movement and by the end of the meet-up felt pretty good.  My back kept me from doing a lot, but it has to be gradual.  No point in rushing it and re-injuring myself or making it worse.  It was just nice to be back out there again.