The Discoverers. Chris K. Atkins (left) and Michael Taylor (right), the discoverers of Hyperion, the world's tallest living thing, a coast redwood in a hidden valley in Redwood National Park. Hyperion was discovered by Atkins and Taylor on August 25, 2006 and was first climbed on Sept. 16, 2006, by Steve Sillett, Marie Antoine, Jim C. Spickler, and Richard Preston. It is currently 379.1 feet tall. Photo by Richard Preston, © Richard Preston