Goose Ridge Tree

[gf beranek]

I took the grave digger and his buddy to the Goose Ridge tree a couple of weeks ago, just for a look see, and sure enough it worked out to a climb to the top.

It's a pretty easy tree to climb. Big strong limbs and easy shots to set your lines ahead. I stayed on the ground to take pics this time around.

The first time I climbed the tree was in 1976 with a fellow named Tom Alger from Willets. At that time the oak and fir trees on the ridge were only about 40 feet tall, if that, and you could see this tree much better from a distance. Pretty soon it will be impossible to get a shot of anybody at the top from the ground.

 

[wiley_p]

Nice. Them are big limbs. Is that Frans or Paul standing on the top?

 

[Newfie]

Amazing size. Is the tree missing the top?....or is it supposed to look like that?

 

[gf beranek]

That's Frans at the top, and the tree is a natural flat top. Certain redwoods just flatten out after getting so high.

 

[brendonv]

Nice pics.

What would the top portion look like? An octopus? Hollow?

 

[gf beranek]

It's not hollow. More like a huge wagon wheel hub with spokes.

 

[rangerdanger]

Nice pics!!! This tree is definitly going on my list of trees to see when I finally make a trip over there.

 

[gf beranek]

It's not going anywhere, Adrian.

 

[stig]

Almost looks like you could have a party up in the top, flat as it is.
Be nice to sit up there with a bunch of climbers and shoot the breeze.

 

[sotc]

I love those standing shots!

 

[Frans]

The goose ridge tree is a great tree to climb. It really does have it all. Large limbs that radiate out makes a challenging climb or, if you want a sorta easy climb, you can work your way around the tree to make it into a more technical climb depending on the route you take.

Also of note is that it is easy to get to with the vehicles so you dont have to pack in the gear.
Here are some pictures of what the top portion looks like. Also some pix of the limb attachment. Massive branch bark collars. I think the tree gets a snow load and that makes the limbs so large.
About half way up is a sucker which grew looks like a little tree all by itself.

Redwoods are very fast growing and the wood, especially on new wood, is weak, perhaps this is one of the reasons why the tallest tree record holder changes so much from tree to tree.

What would the top portion look like? An octopus? Hollow?

The top musta blown out at some point in the distant past so the final whorl of limbs is now the top. Or the top of the tree is just at the level of prevailing winds coming up over the ridge line. These winds could have just kept the tree from growing higher. Don't know. You can see callus wood at the top which have closed over so I do know that there was a top at some point, just don't know how big that top was before the tree got a buzz cut.
Those limbs have tangled together and made a nice flat platform. Couple of pix included which show the top looking down at the whorl and one of just underneath that final whorl.
The buzzards were circling us when we were at the top.

I forget just how tall it is, but it hardly matters seeing as the tree is an excellent example of a nearly perfect giant of a redwood.

In the pictures is a shot of a little branch growing back on itself. This is a great example of how a redwood can grow in just about any which way at all.

Climbing these trees is great! Good work out, great views, overall one of the best ways to spend a day.
Thanks G.F. Beranek and Terry for making this happen

 

[Highclimber]

thats a neat looking tree it looks like it would be fun to climb

 

[wiley_p]

Top is pretty cool looking. Who needs a treeboat, just curl up on a thermarest or two.

 

[sotc]

Paul is a tree climbing machine!

 

[Frans]

Paul is a tree climbing machine!

He actually climbs better than alotta young guys I have seen. Which is impressive seeing as how he picked it up so quickly.

Paul is a great friend to have along. Rec. climbing is about having good times with good friends.


Interesting enough, Paul was examining the tops of branches looking for damage from climbing.
The Goose Ridge tree has been climbed for a long time by alot of people.

He said except for a couple of shiny spots, no damage at all.

I really do think that simply climbing a tree does not harm it. As long as you are not stupid about it and rip and tear your way around.

 

[brendonv]

That top portion is wild.

Thanks for the pic Frans.

 

[PCTREE]

Hey Gerry I was showing Pogo the Wraptor this weekend and he said that you are going to his place the day before the TCI ?? Sounds like it could be a fun time.....

 

[gf beranek]

Hey Gerry I was showing Pogo the Wraptor this weekend and he said that you are going to his place the day before the TCI ?? Sounds like it could be a fun time.....

I don't know about that, Paul, I haven't heard a word from Pogo. Last time in Baltimore they had the party without me. Didn't fly in until the day after. I don't even know what the itinerary is yet.

Still time to coordinate there things.

Hey, Stig, we can throw in the Goose Tree for your trip if you want.

 

[PCTREE]

hopefully by the end of next week I can have a Wraptor coming your way to play with for Stigs trip

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Now that would be just too cool Paul... Good on ya if you can pull it off.

 

[stig]

A wraptor and the goose tree, what a package!
That would be great, guys.

 

[gf beranek]

You don't need the wraptor in the Goose Tree. Although having the option in the Coombs Tree is another thing.

 

[klimbinfool]

Stig, the idea behind a rec climb is to climb it....lol...Heck if I used a wraptor on all the rec climbs I did, I guess I would have to say, I went on a joy ride instead.. Takes all the fun out of it IMO. Using it for work, thats another story.

Greg

 

[Frans]

spoil sport.

I kinda think a person should 'earn' their way up these monsters.

On my first rec. climb I used handled ascenders. Sweated bullets. But I sure felt good when I got up there (pretending all was fine and my heart was not beating a mile a minute).

 

[gf beranek]

My first rec-climb to the top of a big redwood was solo in 1973. That day I truly believe that I was the happiest tree climber in the world.

All old school. Brutal. I climbed the tree.