Bucket List Alert! Santa Cruz Mtns. Redwood Climbs Offered in March

Those fortunate enough to spend time in California’s majestic old-growth redwood forests know the awe-inspiring appeal of being surrounded by the ancient giants, though few have experienced the magic of the forest roof top.

This March, individuals will have the rare opportunity to go on a vertical hike into the crown of a 200-foot coastal redwood in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The three-hour guided climb will be led by Tim Kovar, master tree climbing instructor with Tree Climbing Planet and Cameron Williams, redwood biologist with the Department of Integrative Biology, University of California at Berkeley.

This will be the third time Kovar and Williams have teamed up to offer the guided climb into an approximately 850-year-old redwood located on private property.

“The landowner, who graciously granted us access again this year, shares our enthusiasm and passion for redwood education,” said Kovar.

The redwood canopy’s diverse ecosystem is often compared to that of coral reefs, taking several centuries to form into its current state. The decomposition of needles and fallen foliage on large branches create rich soil that supports thick moss mats and hosts a variety of flora and fauna.

Because of the delicate ecosystem, the climb is only offered once a year to a limited number of climbers to minimize the disruption of the tree’s natural cycle and to the inhabitants that call the tree home. Using specialized ropes and equipment designed specifically for canopy access, participants are guided safely into the forest canopy with care and respect to the tree and surrounding environment.

Dates for the climbs are March 22, 23, 27, 28 and 29.

Offered twice daily to groups of four climbers, participants may register for either the morning climb from 9 a.m. – Noon, or in the afternoon from 1 – 4 p.m. The $250 per-person registration fee covers gear rental, instruction and insurance.

No experience necessary and must be at least 18 years old to participate. For additional information or to register, contact Kovar attim@treeclimbingplanet.com.

About Tree Climbing Planet

For close to 20 years, Master Tree Climbing Instructor Tim Kovar has been climbing trees and providing instruction in the remote jungles of the world. Kovar has taught tree climbing to canopy researchers worldwide, including ornithologists in Indonesia, primatologists in Uganda, entomologists in Ethiopia, and herpetologists in India and Central America. He has worked extensively with domestic and international researchers studying tree biology, forest ecology and the effects of climate change.

He consults with eco-tour operators and guides tree climbing expeditions in India, Asia, Central America and the Amazon basin. He also works with film crews, photographers and writers and served as the personal tree climbing instructor to Richard Preston, author of New York Times bestseller, The Wild Trees.

Kovar began his career as an arborist and lead instructor at Tree Climbers International in Atlanta, Ga., where he helped develop the standardized instruction being taught around the world. In 2011, he founded Tree Climbing Planet (TCP), a Portland, Ore. and Nashville, Tenn.-based technical and recreational tree climbing school. Prior to TCP, he co-created Tree Climbing Northwest, which was operated by New Tribe, a manufacturer of recreational tree climbing gear. For more information call 404.313.0562 or visitwww.treeclimbingplanet.com.

--Images and info courtesy of TCP.

Also on Patch:

• Person With Measles On East Bay BART Is LinkedIn Employee
• Why Kids Need Recess
• Something For The Kids? How About ‘Little Mermaid’ On Stage?
• Homicide Cold Case: Who Killed College Student Maria Hsiao, 21, In Palo Alto In 2001?
• Resident Writes: Attend Wednesday Meeting On Vector Spraying, Plus 10 Things WE ALL NEED TO DO in Santa Clara County
• Serial Airplane Stowaway Marilyn Hartman Did It Again!
• Target Agrees to Pay $3.9 Million on Allegations of Charging More Than Advertised
• For Those With Nut Allergies: See’s Candy Recall
• Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom Announces Run for Governor

» Find your Patch below, click on the link and sign up for our free daily newsletters and news alerts:

CAMPBELL | CUPERTINO| GILROY| LOS GATOS| LOS ALTOS| MILPITAS| MOUNTAIN VIEW | PALO ALTO| SARATOGA|