Judah Epstein
"Jungle Judah"
Tree Monkey Project

Judah Epstein's inspiration towards tree climbing sprouted from interest for forest and wildlife conservation as well as scientific research expeditions.  Judah received initial training from TCI and now volunteers with Tree Monkey Project, teaching tree climbing to Orangutan and Sun Bear conservation staff; and Rainforest Connection to install sensors in the jungle canopy to thwart illegal logging and poaching.  Judah has also volunteered in the canopy for Gray Hawk research.

Jungle Judah has earned degrees in Electrical Engineering, Geology, and Management.  He has achieved industry experience as an International Field Engineer and Engineering Management, Adjunct Geology Faculty, US Air Force Engineering Officer, Texas State Guard Medical Officer, and Wilderness EMT, TX Master Naturalist, Computer/Web Programmer, financial adviser, and Deputy Sheriff.  Such experience, and skill sets, have enabled Jungle Judah to participate in many varied (worldwide) multi-disciplinary expeditions.
 

 

 

The Pink Carabiner 

The tradition of the Pink Carabiner continues.  In the rec climber community, this is our Olympic Torch.  Harv hosted a great event in Colorado and now the GOTC is literally going global with the next rendezvous in Costa Rica.  Congrats to Eric "Treewolf" Folmer who accepted the carabiner and is working extremly hard putting together the next great tree climbing get together.  Hope to see you there!!!

I would like to go out on a limb and suggest that everyone who has used a throwline has encountered the dreaded “bird’s nest”. This unfortunate event happens when you have not correctly managed your line, and somehow, inexplicitly you lose the end or snag a twig and in an instant, as if it has a mind of its own, the throwline has managed to tangle itself in a countless number of knots and like the Chinese finger trap, the harder you try to pull the knots apart, the more stuck and tangled you find your throwline.  This can be a frustrating waste of time.  It only took me a few, hair pulling experiences before I began to look for better ways to manage my line.  Throwline cubes, 5 gallon buckets, and even baby changing pads are all great storage options.  However, I wanted to take a bundle of throwline with me into the tree to advance my climb line.   Fortunately, I came across a video by GOTC council member Richard Mumford.   Richard explains a technique using his thumb and pinky to wind the throwline in a figure 8 pattern.  This action allows you to quickly form a compact bundle of throwline that you can easily take with you into the tree, store on your saddle, and easily deploy without tangles.  Simple, effective and less hair pulling throwline tantrums.  Below is a video of how I manage the throwline I take with me in the tree.  (Also works great for storing your ear buds you use for your phone :))

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