A Cinematic Journey Through Oregon’s Vanishing Canopy

Into the Treetops: John Waller’s Epic Oregon Adventure

Adventure filmmaker John Waller is no stranger to bold undertakings, and his latest project exemplifies his fearless spirit. Known for documenting subjects as audacious as himself, Waller set his sights on a groundbreaking “treeverse”—a five-day expedition traversing the canopy of Oregon white oaks near Canby. Teaming up with tall-tree arborists Will Koomjian and Brian French, he led a crew of cinematographers and riggers into the heights, facing a relentless gauntlet of challenges. This wasn’t a simple ascent but a lateral journey across the treetops, a test of ingenuity, endurance, and teamwork in the face of nature’s unpredictability.

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The setting was as unforgiving as it was breathtaking. It was March, a time when Oregon’s weather turns hostile—frigid winds sliced through the branches, mud weighed down boots and equipment, and sudden storms loomed as constant threats. The Oregon white oaks, with their sprawling, ancient canopies, stood as both the stage and the stakes. These native groves, once a defining feature of the landscape, are vanishing under the pressures of urban sprawl, agriculture, and climate change. Waller’s mission was to capture their majesty, to weave a story that would resonate beyond the climb itself.

A Team Forged in the Canopy

Waller’s partners, Will Koomjian and Brian French, brought critical expertise to the endeavor. As seasoned tall-tree arborists, they understood the oaks’ structure and the art of navigating their heights. The treeverse demanded more than vertical skill—it required moving from tree to tree, rigging lines across the canopy in a fluid, almost choreographed dance. The cinematographers faced their own trials, wrestling with swaying branches and fleeting light to frame each shot, while riggers ensured the gear stayed secure in a world that never stopped moving. Every member of the team, Waller included, was pushed to their limits, their grit shining through the cold and chaos.

Purpose in the Peril

Why endure such conditions? For Waller and his crew, the answer was layered. There was the sheer challenge of it—could a team traverse an entire canopy, a feat unattempted before? The thrill of pushing boundaries is a hallmark of adventure filmmaking, and this was a chance to etch their names into that legacy. But beyond the bravado lay a deeper intent: to celebrate and preserve the Oregon white oaks. These trees are more than scenic backdrops; they’re anchors of a fragile ecosystem, their loss a quiet tragedy unfolding in plain sight. Waller’s lens aimed to make us see them, to feel their worth before they’re gone.

A Story That Endures

This tale first aired on October 6, 2011, but its power hasn’t faded. The five-day treeverse was a triumph of human spirit—cold hands gripping ropes, muddy boots finding footing, and a shared resolve to keep going. Every frame of the film was a victory, a testament to the team’s skill and the beauty they fought to capture. More than an adventure, it’s a poignant reminder of what’s at stake. Waller, Koomjian, French, and their crew didn’t just conquer the canopy—they gave voice to a disappearing world, urging us to look up and care. In the storms of March, they found not just a story, but a cause worth climbing for.

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