Originally posted by NickfromWI
Honestly, did you all know this?Only a few new and they didn't know much. I kept it under my hat until the publication date 4/10, didn't want to preempt the Random House release publicity.
I was asked the question of how I become involved on the TCC board, I wrote up a quick answer (as quick as I could), it's a long story. I'm glad to answer further questions on the TCI board
The Wild Trees threadThe TCI board played a pivitol role in my involvement in the book project. The author (Richard Preston) saw my drawings posted on TCI of the "spider rope" he'd described in his
Feb. '05 New Yorker article (ironically this is the article that provoked me to start to learn about rec climbing). After a couple of iterations Preston (Gnarl) posted that I'd got it right. a few weeks later he contacted me to discuss working on the book. I still had a ways to go to prove that I could do it. I am not a professional illustrator. It wasn't till mid to late Summer 06 (I think) that I was finally approved as the illustrator by Random House.
It was very challenging, the maps (surprisingly) the most difficult though maps and drawings all had many iterations before final art was delivered.
It was great to get an inside view (as much as I could see) on how a book is written and produced. Preston is an amazingly hard worker who goes all the way to get the most factual detail to support his writing.
The amazing thing is that I feel I know redwoods inside and out and yet have never climbed one
My local tall white pines are keeping me happy for now. Looking forward to the Colorado ponderosa in September.
-moss
