Tree Topping lumberjacks sit on top of the world and bring the crowd to their feet at the Great Outdoor Games presented by Dodge.

At the highest point over Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center, 65 feet above the timber stage, Brian Bartow of Grants Pass, Ore., won the Tree Topping event over Greg Hart of Maple Ridge, B.C., with a final time of 35.16 seconds, winning his first gold medal in this event.

Tree Topping is one of the most spectacular events, calling for the skills of the lumber jacks of days gone by, when hardened men scaled the majestic pine trees in the northern forest to take off the tops of the trees for the lumber below them to be sent down river to the mills.

With the crowd cheering the final two contestants, Brian Bartow scaled the 65-foot pole with the ease of a spider, earning respectful praise from his opponent.

"I've competed against Brian before and knew that the only way to beat him was to get to the top as fast as possible and finish the event in 36 seconds," Hart said. "I did that, but I also hoped Brian would make the smallest mistake, and he didn't."

Bartow, who in the first round of competition was set against his father Steve Bartow, beat his dad by 13 second and cheered his father at the top of the pole as he waited for his dad to complete his cut.

"I feel I could have done better, but I made a few small errors that did not affect the outcome," the younger Bartow said. He has won three gold medals in the Speed Climbing events each of the last three years at the Great Outdoor Games, but this is his first for Tree Topping.

After the final round, both lumberjacks paid a tribute to Ed Smith, who is not competing this year. Smith's trademark is to sit on top of the pole after the event, take a breath and enjoy the view, the crowd and the entire competition.

"'Mooch' as we call him, would always do this and both Brian and I thought he would enjoy seeing us do this," Hart said.

Tree Toppings Final Standings

1 Brian Bartow
2 Greg Hart
3 Wade Stewart
4 Brian Schulz
5 Guy German
6 Steve Bartow
7 Chris Hughes
8 Brian Linville

Results (By Round)

Final Round
Brian Bartow, 0:35. 160 def. Greg Hart, 0:36.685

Consolation Round
Wade Stewart, 0:41.114 def. Bryan Schutz, 1:00. 685

Semi-Final Round
Greg Hart, 0:39..225 def. Bryan Schutz, 1:00.85
Brian Bartow, 0;36.318 def. Wade Stewart 0:41.128

Quarter-Final Round
Greg Hart 0:39.700 def. Brian Linville 1;05.525
Brian Schulz 0:49.625 def. Guy German 0:55.257
Wade Stewart 0:41.185 def. Chris Hughes 1:01.612
Brian Bartow 0:44.300 def. Steve Bartow 0:57.040