Okay, so the drone is still in the tree, but making the world's hardest tree climb is now complete. Guy van Rentergem can climb no higher, as the branches are now just too small.
I was asked to assist this afternoon as things have been tough and are now reaching the end for better or worse. Probably good that I was there, as some bits happened that I was able to fix.
To get the tree, we drove a short distance to the other side of the Rio Baru, and then hiked about 400 meters along the river. Then, it was up and so steep in most places that vegetation assistance was needed. Which is all good, except that so many of the trees have thorns and you have to be really careful about which you grab.
Some 300 feet of elevation gain later, we were at the tree. And what a tree! Not huge, not small, but here is a picture of it to decide if you would like to climb it...
I was asked to assist this afternoon as things have been tough and are now reaching the end for better or worse. Probably good that I was there, as some bits happened that I was able to fix.
To get the tree, we drove a short distance to the other side of the Rio Baru, and then hiked about 400 meters along the river. Then, it was up and so steep in most places that vegetation assistance was needed. Which is all good, except that so many of the trees have thorns and you have to be really careful about which you grab.
Some 300 feet of elevation gain later, we were at the tree. And what a tree! Not huge, not small, but here is a picture of it to decide if you would like to climb it...
Holy thorny trees Batman!
Guy had already climbed the lower bits, and just needed a bit more at the top to start the drone recovery. So the rope was rigged fairly high at this point
And here is a pic of Guy getting ready to climb it,
Time to get started. Don McFarlane is holding the rope so that Guy does not swing into the tree as he begins his climb.
And then the swing happens and...
Guy gets going just inches from having his back porcupined
So he has to turn around and get his boots on the tree and not his back...
That is one Guy really intent on not cratering into the tree
And the ascent continues...
Guy is now ascending the rope to the previous high point
So not just climbing the tree of a million thorn, but having to do it with vines all over the place.
So Guy gets the rope rigged to the highest point possible in the tree, but things will have to continue tomorrow.
Guy rappeling down though the vines after rigging the highest point
Safely down, although with quite a number of spine wounds.
Derigging all the gear. And notice the Camouflage Inn hat that Don McFarlane is wearing (from Stump Creek, PA). The hat was a gift and he really hopes to get there when not working in the jungle
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