Tree-sitting in Keyandoora, Loving It

Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 05:24pm by David Askaripour in Forest Defense

Hey World,

Firstly, I’d like to thank my good friend Dan Putt for making a donation last week , as well as everyone else who pledged to help in other ways. My heart goes out to all of you — Love you guys!! Thanks so much with all of my heart.

For the past few days I’ve been up in a tree (down now) named Keyandoor, about 130 ft in the air. My first few weeks out here were comprised of organizing and hiking THPs (Timber Harvest Plans), which are the areas that are designated to be clear-cut (wiped clean. murdered. eradicated!) And I’m still doing that for the most part.

However, last week I finally learned to climb and went up for a few days to protect this lovely ancient old-growth Redwood being. What an honor! What a privilege to help protect this tree. I love that tree so much as well as the rest that we’re working hard to keep standing.

Living is a tree is pretty awesome, actually. I’m usually scared of heights, but for some reason I really wasn’t too scared at all. I felt pretty confident and comfortable while climbing up, living there, and coming down.

I asked Keyandoor to protect me and she did. Thanks Keyandoor! I slept on a webbed bed called a Dreamcatcher made out over thin, but very, very strong rope. Flying squirrels that are super friendly came to visit me every night — I could even pet them!

Wow, there’s so much going on right now. I’ll be spending my time between the forest and town camp spot. Last night I drove with some forest defenders about an hour south to do a resupply, which is bringing other tree-sitters food and water, then carry out their garbage. Got back around 4AM. A bit tired mentally and physically, but I’m going strong!

More updates to come… here are some pics.