--HELEN KELLER

Joslin climbs to seek a vertical nature experience, which brings him to varied and unexpected settings and he conveys to his audience how a feeling of wildness takes over even in urban settings in that upper world where the birds, small mammals, and mosses and lichens are the main event.

For many of these trees it is likely that no human has ever visited their highest reaches before, and every climb can offer a new discovery. Sleeping overnight in a tree invites total immersion in the canopy environment. Specialized hammocks can be safely rigged high in a tree and provide surprisingly restful slumber. During the night one might wake and have a brief call and response session with the resident owl before returning to sleep. To wake up in the morning 115 feet above the forest floor is a thrilling way to start the day.

Andrew illustrated and drew maps for "The Wild Trees," written by Richard Preston and published in 2007. This work--copies of which Andrew will bring for sale --tells the story of tall tree hunters and researchers who have discovered and climbed the tallest known trees. One of these behemoths is a Coast Redwood in northern California, named "Hyperion," which was first discovered in July of 2006 by Michael Taylor and Chris Atkins, and first climbed in September, when it was determined to be 379.1 feet tall, the tallest documented tree on planet Earth.

Yours in exploration,

Greg.