W.O.W. What an Outstanding Weekend

Thank you Bob for hosting this event! For all of you that missed this one, mark your calendars for the first weekend in October 2004. This is a must attend! Yes, I am a beginner, climbing for a year, so what do I know. Well all I can say is that climbing in a forest with so many “trees with character”was…well I am still pumped. I didn’t climb as many trees as the others, but not because there weren’t enough to go around. I just pooped out. Also, I am still working on my “comfort level” but Sunday I did climb to about 65 ft in a yellow poplar named “Twin Towers”. This is the tree that I slept under the previous two nights. My tally is four climbs in four trees that were obviously new to me. As it were, all my climbs were in Tulip Poplars.

The weather cooperated fully. It was a little chilly on Friday night and overcast part of the day on Saturday, but then the wind came in and helped push the clouds away to reveal a sunny day. The wind also made our Saturday afternoon climbs a little more exciting. Saturday night was a little warmer and by the time the fire started to die down, we were all ready for our tents. Both mornings brought beautiful star-filled skies, each with an equally beautiful sunrise. Sunday morning, while being a little cool, was another sunny day. Most, if not all, of us got in another climb before we needed to head back to our homes. I personally logged nearly 1100 miles and the weekend was worth every one.

Thanks again Bob and thanks everyone else for your assistance and encouragement. See you next year, if not sooner.