First Annual Fall U.P. Tree Climbing Festival

The BIG Oak!

 

The purpose of this event is to invite any and all tree climbing professionals and recreational climbers for two days of climbing, equipment demos, clinics, and camping.

The event will be a place to learn and share our mutual love for tree climbing all while getting to explore the canopy of our private hemlock stands and our 50 acre backcountry climbing retreat with stunning views that range from oaks situated on the flanks of the bluff to large stand alone canopy trees in our 8 acre field!

  • First Annual Fall U.P. Tree Climbing Festival October 19th - 20th

    Sponsored by: Vermeer Wisconsin, Rock n Arbor, Omega Pacific, Clogger Chainsaw Protection, North Country Tree Care and Timely Tree Service.

    • Day one of the event will take place at the Halfway Village CR550 (UP Tree Fest HQ) featuring our large hemlock stand and plenty of smaller canopy objectives. This will be the site of the demos from Vermeer Wisconsin and climbing equipment demos. There will be several clinics and a gear raffle to cap off the day! For those who are interested we’ll be setting up a Night Climb after dinner and the raffle! Rustic camping available on site.

    • Day two will take participants “up the mountain” to our 50 acre property with tons of large objectives including the oaks pictured above for a day of canopy climbing with friends!

    • Gear Raffle!! For the inaugural event NCTC will be doing a FREE!! raffle of some climbing items. We have already received some generous donations from our sponsors and we will announce items in the coming weeks leading up to the event!! Preview below!!

Gear to win!!!

Vermeer Wisconsin Demos!! Below is a preview of the demo equipment Vermeer Wisconsin is bringing to the event!!

Saturday Dinner / Potluck

Saturday evening after the gear raffle we invite participants to sit together and enjoy some Mini Pasties from IronTown Pasties provided by NCTC!! (Mini pastie flavors include: Beef, Spicy Beef, Veggie-Cheese, Chicken Pot Pie, Jalapeno Popper, Apple Turnover) 

We also encourage participants to bring sharable dishes if they wish but not required for attending the dinner! We currently don’t have GF, Vegan options provided so if you have dietary restrictions please plan accordingly and refer to the FAQ below under the “Should I bring food or water” tab.

All Participants MUST Read below!!!

The inaugural fall event will be free of charge! We ask that you register below if you wish to attend. REGISTRAION IS REQUIRED to attend! Participants will receive waivers via email that must be completed to attend the event, upon completion you will be entered into the gear raffle!

(If you’re unable to pre-register hosts will be available to register participants till 11am)

North Country Tree Care is proud to sponsor what we hope will become a long tradition of celebrating the art of tree climbing, tree work and the magnificent trees that we’ve dedicated ourselves to saving!

Please read the FAQ/About section below for more specific info on the event. We will continue posting updates here until the event so stay tuned!!

-Brandon-

Register Here For Fall U.P. Tree Climbing Festival

FAQ / ABOUT

  • As far as required gear to participate in climbing activities we will have a limited amount of extra climbing gear but encourage established climbers to bring their own gear (helmet, harnesses, ascenders, descenders ) this could be tree climbing specific or even rock climbing gear.


    DISCLAIMER***

    All Participant gear is subject to inspection by NCTC events staff and if deemed unsafe for use at the event participants shall voluntarily discontinue use of said gear on event grounds or any NCTC event location. Failure to comply will result in expulsion from the event.


     As part of the climbing demos Ropes will be set and several popular systems and devices will be available to try. 


  • For the equipment demos we will have one set of saw  PPE on site but if you have your own (helmet, chaps/saw pants, ear / eye protection) we encourage you to bring your own.

    DISCLAIMER***

    All Participant PPE is subject to inspection by NCTC events staff and if deemed unsafe for use at the event participants shall voluntarily discontinue use of said PPE on event grounds or any NCTC event location. Failure to comply will result in expulsion from the event.


  • For Saturday night dinner NCTC will be providing mini pasties from Irontown Pasties and encourage people to bring a sharable(potluck) style dish if they wish but it's not required. We currently don't have a gluten free option so if needed we encourage participants to plan for camping style meal prep as this is an off grid property.

    We will be 7 miles from the small town of big bay which has one small general store (Cram’s General Store) that has a cafe and grocer. The Thunder Bay INN also has dinner options as well as the local bar "The Lumberjack Tavern" Both known for their use as sets in the 1959 film "Anatomy of a Murder"

    The city of Marquette is 19 miles from the property and is necessary to pass through on the way to the event. Many options for grocery and food are available in MQT.

    We will have some jugs of local spring water around the event but encourage participants to bring water as it is an off grid property.

  • This is an all ages event! Underage participants require the parent or guardian present that has signed their release waiver and direct supervision is recommended during all heavy equipment and climbing demos. We currently don’t have any kids climbing harnesses available but participants may bring harnesses as described in the above “What should I Bring” section. We will be setting up smaller objectives aimed towards beginners and kids and doing close to the ground demos and instruction on tree climbing basics.

  • Camping is free and we have roughly 100 rustic 2 person tent sites on property. The main camping area is relatively flat wood chi[p covered ground, sleeping pads or cots are recommended. The area is heavily forested with plenty of hammock camping available. No camping gear will be supplied and only porta potties will be available as bathroom facilities. The property is off grid but less than 7 miles from the closest town (Big Bay MI) and 19 miles from Marquette MI which is the biggest town in the UP. If you wish to stay off property both towns have lodging options. FIRE DANGER RED FLAG. The current fire danger in the upper peninsula has been high to extreme. Fires for cooking will be available at our campfire ring and other designated fire pits. NO OTHER BURNING ALLOWED!! Use of gas cookstoves are allowed but recommended in the community cooking area.

  • The event will be dog friendly but we ask that you bring all necessary items to harness and leash dogs during heavy equipment demos, chainsaw activities, or any felling, trimming or cutting. If you dog is disruptive or being aggressive to participants or other dogs you may be asked to remove your pet or leave the event.