5 climbers ascended the Bogachiel Spruce last Tuesday. This tree had been climbed by 25 people the week prior to the 2002 ISA conference in Seattle. A veritable convention. Several of the members of this board know this tree intimately, top to bottom. There is a bit of shocking news, which is addressed below.

The event was named the Hoh Rainforest Super Bowl TREE Fun(d) Climb, because it was a benefit for the Tree Research Education & Endowmwnt Fund, and was originally scheduled for the week of the Super Bowl. The TREE Fund is a non profit foundation that provides grants and scholarships for university tree research. The climbers donated auction bids for gift certificates that bought their way onto the climbing team.

Winter is a good time to climb on the Olympic Peninsula because there is little hiker traffic and few mosquitos. Because there is an average annual rainfall of about 160 inches, climbing is on a rain or shine basis. This day was bright and sunny, adding to the enjoyment.

The climbers convened at Kalaloch Beach, 200 miles west of Seattle, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. After a fine meal at the Kalaloch Lodge, in Olympic National Park, we spent the nite camped just a few feet from the surf.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?_title_=Kalaloch_Campground&action=edit