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Tree-climbing

2,757 bytes added, 13:08, May 21, 2005
some trees to climb
The Williams campus has many lovely trees which are great for climbing, if you like that sort of thing. Here are some favorites of the Williams tree-climbing community.

== Magnolia beside Thompson Chapel ==

This tree is located between [[Thompson Memorial Chapel]] and
[[Griffin Hall]], in a sort of nook created by the chapel's
buttresses. It's fairly low but provides for some nice, undistracted
sitting, especially in early May when it is in blossom.

== Red maple in front of the physics building ==

This is one of [[my|Brent Yorgey]] favorite trees to climb, located in front of the [[Thompson Physical Lab|physics building]] and across the street from [[Jesup Hall]]. Getting
into the tree initially is a bit of a trick; it requires standing on
the railing dividing the sidewalk from the grass, grabbing the nearest
branch, and swinging one's legs up onto an adjacent branch. Once in
the branches, however, it is quite easy to maneuver and continue
climbing up. There is a nook about 20 feet up where three branches
come together which is perfect for sitting in, whether to bask in the
sun, take a nap, or do a problem set. It's also fun to talk to people
coming out of the physics building and watch them turn about in
bewilderment trying to find the source of the voice. However, in the
spring, one does have to watch out for gypsy moth caterpillars.

== Red maple in front of the chem/computer science building ==

This is a lovely, large tree that is perfect for group tree-climbing
parties, as it can comfortably accommodate quite a few people in its
branches at once.

== Red? maple in front of West ==

This tree is located just in front and to the right of [[West College]] as one
stands at the door of West looking towards the science quad. It's
rather small as trees go, and quite easy to climb. However, when its
leaves are out, they are quite thick; anyone sitting in this tree will
probably not be seen even by people ten feet away. A good place to
hide, if that's what you want to do.

== Oak near "Climb high" gate ==

== Maple next to Cost bench ==

== Copper beech in front of WCMA ==

This is a large, beautiful tree (the only tree of its kind on campus,
to [[my|Brent Yorgey]] knowledge) which would be impossible to climb
were it not for some unfortunate disease or fungus which has rendered
its trunk incredibly gnarled and knotted. As a result, getting up
into this tree requires not so much actual tree-climbing skills as it
does [[rock climbing]] skills. It's mostly fun just for the challenge
of getting up onto the first branch, but once up it does afford a nice
place to sit. It's possible to climb up higher into the tree, but not
advisable without actual belaying equipment (which has, in fact, been
done).
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