Below are a series of pictures and video cllips taken by Jake Milarch and Bo Burke from the top of the giant sequoia that was climbed by over 16 people using an “elevator” technique that allowed one person to be raised to the top of the tree by the counterweight of someone else being lowered from the top of the tree.
Jake and Bo were 200 feet up in the top of this giant sequoia for several hours assisting many to get to the top of such an amazing tree for the first time in their life. Kudos to Jake, Bo and Damien Carre at the base of the tree for helping so many of us “elevate” to the top.
Jake Milarch, 200 feet up a giant sequoia, getting ready to assist others to ascend the tree.
Damien Carre (red jacket) setting up the “elevator” to help people to ascend to the height of 200 ft.
Jake Milarch (foreground) and Bo Burke, getting ready to assist people to the top of the tree.
Bo Burke (orange jacket) and Andy Kittsley doing a test run on the elevator.
That’s me in the brown jacket, first of the non-professional climbers to be elevated to the top of the giant sequoia. What a view!
As I descend, someone else is ascending the elevator. What a ride!
Next to arrive at the top is Blossom Benedict, with Bo and Jake assisting.
Nathan Reed talking to Bo Burke about what it’s like to be up 200 feet in a giant sequoia.
Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, giving a “thumbs up” for his ride to the top.
Sam Smit, also with the Eden Project, posing with Bo and Jake at the top of the giant sequoia.
Ed Smit talking with Bo Burke while 200 feet high in the giant sequoia in the short clip above . . .
Beth Moon, tree photographer extraordinaire, this time the subject of Bo’s photograph.
Katie Cleary arrives at the top of the elevator all smiles.
Edie Juno, Archangel intern, takes her turn at the 200 foot level of a giant sequoia.
This is just a sampling of the folks who rose to the top of a 200 foot high giant sequoia. What a fantastic effort on the part of all those who supported getting people to the top of a giant sequoia for the first, and perhaps only, time in their lives! It was truly an amazing experience!
How wonderfully exciting. Thank you, thank you, thank you for saving these beautiful majestic trees. I am surrounded by them here in Sacramento where I live!!