The tower on the top of the Bicentennial Tree in Pemberton is about 75 metres above the ground. The first rest platform is 25 metres up. There are 130 climbing pegs and in high winds the cabin at top sways up to 1.5 metres in either direction. Budge conquers the climb to the first rest platform, only to be greeted with a sign exclaiming “THAT was the easy part”. After deliberating for a long five or so minutes, he rises to the challenge and slowly but surely inches his way to the top. He returns to loud applause, an even bigger hero in all our eyes.
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| Setting off on the climb. Two other adults in front of us have attempted it already and made it to this point, only a few metres above the ground, before sheepishly backing down again. Note the complete absence of any sort of safety net beneath the climbing pegs and the sizeable gaps between them. |
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| Onwards and upwards after stopping to catch breath - and summon up a good dose of courage - at the first Rest Station. |
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| The full tree in all its glory... with Budge in all his glory, in the tower at the very very top. |
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| The camera zooms in on our hero, hands held high in victory (and eyes focused firmly forward to avoid the inevitable vertigo when looking down). |
