Unfortunately, I have to change the monthly "Second Saturday" wilderness climbs in the southern Appalachians to a quarterly climb. There are two reasons for this: first, I have a few too many irons in the fire right now and I am running out of time to take care of personal stuff and other treeclimbing activities; and second, it appears that a quarterly climb to some really neat site has more appeal to climbers than a monthly climb to "any ol' place where there are no hunters firin' off their weapons of mass destruction.

The next wilderness climb will be held Saturday, April 8. This is a free, climb-at-your-own-risk event that is open to all experienced climbers who have their own gear and who will be in the Atlanta/north Georgia mountains area that day. As usual, we will meet at 9 a.m. at the infamous Waffle House restaurant at the north end of the Georgia 400 expressway, where it intersects with Georgia 60 near Dahlonega. The restaurant is about 55 minutes north of Interstate 285.

We have a new climbing site picked out for that climb, with a large number of hardwoods and white pines that can all be climbed to well over 100 feet. Climbers should bring drinking water and a snack for lunch. Since the trees are about a half mile from the nearest road, climbers should also bring a backpack for their equipment.

Have you hugged your trees today,
Wild Bill from Dawsonville
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The April 8 wilderness climb in the north Georgia mountains is also the 10th anniversary of Abe Winters' organization, Tree Climbing USA.

Abe wants everybody in the Atlanta/north Georgia area to join him for the climb.

The weather forcast for this Saturday's wilderness climb in the north Georgia mountains calls for periods of clouds and sunshine with an early morning low in the upper 40s and an afternoon high in the upper 60s, and a wind from the northwest at 10-15 mph. This climb is also the 10th anniversary celebration for Tree Climbing USA. This is a free, climb-at-your-own-risk event that is open to all experienced climbers who have their own equipment. We will meet at 9 a.m. at the Waffle House restaurant at the north end of the Georgia 400 expressway (U.S. 19), at its intersection with Georgia 60 near Dahlonega, Ga. The meeting place is approximately 50-55 minutes north of Interstate 285. Don't be late since we will have to leave almost immediately for the climbing area. Please bring water and a snack or light lunch, since we will be in a remote climbing area that is some distance from the nearest stores or eating places. The climb will include a half-mile hike along easy to moderately-difficult terrain.