Overnight climb in the middle of nowhere...

TREEfool

TREEfool

Participating member
Location
Sioux Falls, SD
Hey guys! I haven't gotten to climb for a few months because my family and I were living in our van traveling the country. But I am back in a real house again and I decided to dust off my gear and head out for a tree camping trip. I found this secluded wildlife preserve off of a gravel road out in the middle of nowhere in SD. The trees were no more than 60 feet high and quite skinny but I was able to have a fantastic time.


I am sure most of you prefer climbing ropes but whenever I find a tree that I can faceclimb instead of dealing with a throwline I am always VERY happy.

Again, if anyone is interested in joining me and some friends in MN next week for a big climbing/camping trip let me know!
 
Excellent video indeed. I need to get myself a portaledge as hammocks wreak havoc on upon my back. My friends at Earthjoy Tree Adventures are doing a satellite of the big canopy campout at their place in Germantown KY this Saturday. Its about hour twenty minutes from Cinci, so I'm hoping to make it. Unfortunately I may end up being suckered into last minute house/animal sitting so we will see if I am able to attend. Don't know how far that is from you @Bob Bob, but it'd be a great place to meet up and Rec climb even if not this weekend. I'll should be out there from time to time coming up anyways to help them build their third treehouse that is currently under construction. Wonder if I can get a portaledge local or if amazon has them prime? REI carry them?
 
Bob Bob said:
Germantown, KY is about 3.5 hours southwest for me, so it's doable. Sounds like they are planning a group climb on 9/15/18 at 12pm that I could possibly participate in. It doesn't sound like I'd be welcome to canopy camp since I'm not level 1 certified. I'm not able to get many details on the meet-up since I'm not on F.Book and their website doesn't have any info on the meet-up. PM if you decide to go. Do the owners normally charge you to climb at their location?
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This is now history as of last night. For future reference, if anyone questions your climber credentials, simply send them links to a few of your videos.
-AJ
 
Shelly and Bill at Earthjoy are good people who happen to teach rec tree climbing among other things. I believe the "certification" requirement is aimed at the general public who know nothing about rope and harness climbing. They would need to take a course with them to gain sufficient skills to do the overnight tree camping. They have many climber friends who've learned climbing on their own without any courses. I'm sure that Bob Bob would not be turned away from any of their tree climbing activities.
-AJ
 
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Bob Bob said:
I'd like to know how these worldwide canopy camping events turned out for 9/15/18. Haven't seen any reports yet on attendance and participation.

About three years ago I contacted Earth Joy about taking classes. I had been climbing for about 6-7 years at that point. They informed me that I needed to start at level 1 and work my way up, which makes sense from a business and climbing education standpoint.

Once they knew I was interesting in being a facilitator and instructor and that I had my own equipment things got weird quickly. They abruptly shifted from talking about training and classes they could offer me, to how I could help them to expand their business into my hometown area, and that they have been wanting to offer classes in southeast Ohio.

I think they failed to realize that I wasn't interested in working on their business plan or for them and that I wanted to create a company to offer training and climbs in an area they already had their eyes on. Things got so weird and strange that I never did take those classes. It's a darn shame since I probably would have really benefited from the formal training in many ways.
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That is weird, sounds like serious miscommunication.
-AJ
 
Well I wasn't able to make it to the campout so I can't report back on that. If we were to meet there to climb it would be off the books as far as their business is concerned. I would of course get their blessing and ask them to join first if they'd like. I've seen your videos so I can call you certifiable. There's a massive sycamore on the property that no one has climbed(to my or their knowledge). I've been itching to get in it since we were out there building their second treehouse. I'm hoping to get back out there and help on their third that Bill is building himself. He wants a lookout platform above the main house and I'm hoping to build a winding staircase around the tree up to it. IMG_5270.webp
 
Rob Stafari said:
Excellent video indeed. I need to get myself a portaledge as hammocks wreak havoc on upon my back...Wonder if I can get a portaledge local or if amazon has them prime? REI carry them?
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I'm sure he's too modest to post the link here, but @FluffyFish / Treefool is selling portaledges that look awesome, I plan on grabbing one for myself, and I already have a Newtribe treeboat. His look even better. https://treefool.com/shop/

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
fall_risk said:
I'm sure he's too modest to post the link here, but @FluffyFish / Treefool is selling portaledges that look awesome,
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I appreciate the compliments. I have been working my butt off to get everything up and running so it is great to get positive feedback!

Bob Bob said:
If you're reading this @FluffyFish , it would be great to have a lightweight mini-portaledge shelf (essentially a side table with a fireproof top) that would allow a climber to cook a hot meal in the tree using a small canister camping stove.
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That is a fantastic idea! I have played with different designs using a canister stove that hangs from the webbing on long mini chains. It worked well but even when I camp on the ground I usually leave my stove at home so it isnt in many videos.

There is a stove company that makes a hanger specifically for people who are camping on a portaledge. I always forget the name but it's the one that uses insulation on the cooking pot.
 
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