Randy,

I'll echo Moss' message that age and physical capabilities aren't barriers to this. You're likely less than one standard deviation of the average age of active climbers. There are techniques that vary with preference. Just as an example, RADS (Rope Ascending Descending System) is a common method for climbers making canopy entry with additional mechanical advantage.

You can click on this _link_ as follows:

RADS Explained by New Tribe

You certainly won't regret a trip to Atlanta to pick up a wonderful pastime.

Also in case you aren't aware of this fact, Moss is the illustrator of "The Wild Trees".

Though I started as a Card, I ended up a Hilltopper. Kentucky is a beautiful state isn't it?

Moss,
I hope you didn't think I was criticizing the book--I have enjoyed it thoroughly. Your illustrations are excellent. I know something about illustrating books after my oldest daughter, Julie, spent a year living in Barry Moser's house and helping him when he was illustrating the Pennyroyale-Caxton bible. I met Barry and made off w/ a first edition copy of A River Runs Through It that he had illustrated. Also a set of prints from the book and a first edition of his bible--sadly they were all lost when my home burned to the ground in Feb, 2006.
Jim, I appreciate your encouragement and actually feel that my upper body strength is decent from kayaking. It's my knees that suck. I don't doubt I could pull my wgt (although 20 #'s heavier than necessary) up a rope w/ the equipment.
Probably what worries me most is my OCD's--Osteochondritis Disssicans in the knee and Obessive/Compulsive Disorder in the personality. I get hooked on another hobby and my SO might dump me.
Nothing wrong w/ the Hilltoppers:>
BTW I live on Treetop Ct in Georgetown and my back porch and deck are 2/3 up the oak and buckeye trees on the hillside running 80 ft to the creek below. Still I would love to climb some big'uns.
Randy

Originally posted by TearDoc
Moss,
I hope you didn't think I was criticizing the book--I have enjoyed it thoroughly.

Oh not at all and I wouldn't mind if you did.

The RADs technique that Jim mentioned can be done using arms only, it's a 3:1 mechanical advantage rig, there are other ways as well to get around funky knees.
-moss

Randy,

Check out this trip report from moss:

I climbed with the one-legged Frenchman and all I got was this lousy T-shirt!

Pretty awesome!

- _link_

Very cool story about the "Frenchman." I love seeing "handicapped" folks gain new freedom. We have several paraplegics who kayak and I really enjoyed watching others ski at Winterpark, Colorado.
Guess I'll have to steal a weekend and drop down to Hotlanta:>
My buddy w/ the forest wanted to know why I wanted to climb trees...if you gotta ask...

The Wild Trees is a great read!
Author Richard Preston has what it takes to keep a reader occupied and interested. He does a good job of describing the folks he writes about and he has backed up his time spent in the trees with good research.

I was already a fan of Preston's work and was not surprised that one of his mentors is the great author Jonn Mcphee. If you like to read check out Preston's
'The Hot Zone" etc. and McPhees extensive list of _title_s.

Scott