Kid Hut Expeditions

The Aspenhome Complex

2011-05-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

Clair de Wangen's play "Osperheimkomplekset" (The Aspenhome Complex) will be performed in a specially constructed tree hut in Kristparken, Hammersborg in Oslo with actors Oddrund Valestrand and Gaute Askild Næsheim. The play explores the things we surround ourselves with and alienation towards our environment. The premiere is on Friday May 20th at 11.00.

Vis større kart

Theory and practice

2011-02-22T11:15:00.000-08:00

Photo: Annalea Hart

Søm Ruagerkilen Nature Reserve, Fevik, Norway

Locality 66 (Angel Fire, New Mexico) Tipi Etiquette

2011-02-17T04:55:00.000-08:00

"Indians had definite rules of etiquette for life in the tipi. If the door was open, friends usually walked right in [...] If two sticks were crossed over a tipi door, it meant that the owners either were away or desired no company. If they were away, they first closed the smoke flaps by lapping or crossing them over the smoke hole. The door cover was tied down securely and two sticks were crossed over it. The door was thus "locked", and as safe in Indian society as the most strongly bolted door would be in our civilization today."

-Reginald and Gladys Laubin. The Indian Tipi. Its History, Construction, and Use, 1957.
Photo: Anna Dykema

Locality 65 (Jacksonville, Florida) Throw away the ladder

2011-02-12T04:25:00.000-08:00

"My propositions serve as elucidations in the following way: anyone who understands them eventually recognizes them as nonsensical, when he has used them -- as steps -- to climb up beyond them. (He must, so to speak, throw away the ladder after he has climbed up it.)"

Ludwig Wittgenstein, Tractatus Logico Philosophicus, 1921.
Photo: Mike Lesnick

Locality 64 (Ontario, Canada) King of the road

2011-02-10T04:45:00.000-08:00

Trailers for sale or rent
Rooms to let...fifty cents.
No phone, no pool, no pets
I ain't got no cigarettes
Ah, but..two hours of pushin' broom
Buys an eight by twelve four-bit room
I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road.

-Roger Miller, 1964.
Photo: Dave Bradstreet

Locality 63 (Austin, Tx) Independent reality

2011-02-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

Space by itself, and time by itself, are doomed to fade away into mere shadows, and only a kind union of the two will preserve an independent reality.
-Albert Einstein
Photo: Kyo2601

Locality 62 (Rossekniben) Festung Norwegen

2011-01-28T02:59:00.000-08:00

Festung Norwegen, the perimeter of the Third Reich against an allied attack which the Nazi leadership assumed would occur in Norway. Remote pristine coastal landscapes scattered with ruins of defence and fortification systems, coastal artillery, anti-aircraft batteries.

At Rossekniben in Grimstad, an inaccessible observation post was installed to provide a panorama view of the sea, guarded by artilleries until the end of the war. Artillery positions were carefully observed and reported by the local XU group.

Our own underground intelligence agents reveal that construction of fortresses has once again commenced in the area. Just beneath the observation post at Rossekniben, a small wooden fort partly hidden by the thick forest canopy has been registered. The purpose of the fort is as of yet uncertain and at this point may be labeled X for Unknown.

And the winner is...

2010-06-21T23:55:00.000-07:00

The winner of Bergens Tidene newspaper and Bergen Architect Association's kid hut competition is 10-year old John Harald Haug from Samnanger. There were 55 contributions from all over the west coast of Norway. Read more here and watch contributions on Norge Rundt on Norwegian TV.

Locality 61 (Fevik, Norway) Noah's Ark

2010-04-29T02:03:00.000-07:00

And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. ¹⁴Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. ¹⁵This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. ¹⁶Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. ¹⁷

And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. ²⁰Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive.

²² Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
Genesis 6.

Finest Kid Hut in Western Norway Competition

2010-04-27T23:56:00.001-07:00

Inspired by our Kid Hut Expeditions blog, the architect organization Bergen Arkitektforening (BAF) and newspaper Bergens Tidende (BT) have launched a competition to award the finest kid hut in Western Norway. Young architects and constructors are encouraged to send a photo of their "junior huts" to nyhetsweb@bt.no before the end of May.

Locality 60 (Fevik, Norway) Spirit of youth

2010-03-15T01:39:00.000-07:00

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Locality 59 (Goetheturm, Germany) Winter Solitude

2010-02-28T23:37:00.000-08:00

Winter solitude--
in a world of one color
the sound of wind.

Matsuo Basho (1644-1694).
Photo: stbeck

Locality 58: (Arcadia, Argentina) To Make a Dadaist Poem

2010-02-14T05:20:00.000-08:00

TO MAKE A DADAIST POEM
Take a newspaper.
Take some scissors.
Choose from this paper an article of the length you want to make your poem.
Cut out the article.
Next carefully cut out each of the words that makes up this article and put them all in a bag.
Shake Gently.
Next take out each cutting one after the other.
Copy conscientiously in the order in which they left the bag.
The poem will resemble you.

Tristan Tzara, Dada Manifesto on Free Love and Bitter Love (1920)
Photo: Cinco Sauses (Julian Gatto)

Locality 57 (Fevik) Building an igloo

2010-01-09T09:19:00.000-08:00

Deep snow, packed hard by the wind, makes good ground for building the igloo, the snow dwelling of the Eskimo. To keep out the cold, every seam and gap in the igloo walls are chinked with snow. Complete within the hour.

Locality 56: Happy New Year!

2009-12-29T00:34:00.001-08:00

Locality 55 (North West Pennsylvania, US) White Christmas (3d)

2009-12-18T23:32:00.000-08:00

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

Irving Berling, 1940.
Anaglyph photo: ian5281

Locality 54 (Ontario, Canada) Rememberance of Things Past

2009-11-26T07:28:00.001-08:00

I feel that there is much to be said for the Celtic belief that the souls of those whom we have lost are held captive in some inferior being, in an animal, in a plant, in some inanimate object, and so effectively lost to us until the day (which to many never comes) when we happen to pass by the tree or to obtain possession of the object which forms their prison. Then they start and tremble, they call us by our name, and as soon as we have recognised their voice the spell is broken. We have delivered them: they have overcome death and return to share our life.

And so it is with our own past. It is a labour in vain to attempt to recapture it: all the efforts of our intellect must prove futile. The past is hidden somewhere outside the realm, beyond the reach of intellect, in some material object (in the sensation which that material object will give us) which we do not suspect. And as for that object, it depends on chance whether we come upon it or not before we ourselves must die.

Marcel Proust, Rememberance of Things Past, 1913.
Photo: Kronix

Locality 53 (Christiania, Copenhagen) Free Town

2009-11-16T00:46:00.000-08:00

The Treehouse Song

When I woke
I took the backdoor to my mind
and then I spoke
I counted all of the good things you are

and that list of charms was
longer than my chain of broken hearts
and when the day was done
I figured I had already lost
from the start – from the start

I was gonna love you till the end of all daytime
and I was gonna keep all our secret signs and our lullabies
I was made to believe that our love would grow old
we were gonna live in a treehouse and make babies
and we were gonna bury our ex-lovers and their ghosts
baby we were made of gold

Ane Brun, The Treehouse Song, 2008.
Photo: Jaafar Mestari

Locality 47-52: Merz

2009-10-31T00:54:00.000-07:00

Hamburg-Finkenwerder, Germany. Tdietmut

Rotvoll, Norway. Astridsol

North Sea Cycle Route. Kalevkevad

Central Illnois, US. Larryt135

Merzbau, Hannover 1933. Kurt Schwitters.

Locality 46 (Little Falls, NY) Keeping out of trouble

2009-10-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

Explorer Bartzilla reports from an expedition into his own youth:

"Whoever nailed that ladder into the side of the tree must have done it long ago since those slats of wood couldn't support anything these days. This wasn't our original ladder into the fort. Ours was on the other side and a bit more accessible.

The fire pit we had dug and circled with rocks was also washed away, as were the log benches we had put around it. I'm tellin' ya, we went all out on this project. Plus, for the most part, it kept us out of trouble on summer vacations, even if we might have been up to no good up there.

One afternoon of construction, I was blowing off some firecrackers and we saw a policeman doing his commando thing with his shotgun up to the fort. He knew what we were up to and actually just told us to knock it off with the firecrackers and then proceeded to admire our handy work and give us his history of the tree fort that his friends had built in this tree."

Locality 45 (Fevik) We need shelter

2009-10-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

"You wouldn't care to help with the shelters I suppose?"
"We need meat"
"We need shelters"
"Are you accusing-"
"All I'm saying is we've worked dashed hard. That's all... Do you want to be rescued? All you talk about is 'pig pig pig'"
"We want meat"
"And I work all day with nothing but Simon and you come back and don't even notice the shelters"
"I work too"
"But you like your work. You enjoy yourself hunting. While I-"
"Do a bit for you before I have a bathe"
"Don't bother"

Peter Brook, screenplay adaptation of William Golding's Lord of the Flies, 1963, deleted scene.

Søm-Ruagerkilen Nature Reserve at Fevik, 2009.

Locality 44 (Brentwood, TN): I sit and look

2009-10-23T03:23:00.000-07:00

I sit and look

I sit and look out upon all the sorrows of the world, and upon all
oppression and shame;
I hear secret convulsive sobs from young men, at anguish with
themselves, remorseful after deeds done;
I see, in low life, the mother misused by her children, dying,
neglected, gaunt, desperate;
I see the wife misused by her husband--I see the treacherous seducer
of young women;
I mark the ranklings of jealousy and unrequited love, attempted to be
hid--I see these sights on the earth;
I see the workings of battle, pestilence, tyranny--I see martyrs and
prisoners;
I observe a famine at sea--I observe the sailors casting lots who
shall be kill'd, to preserve the lives of the rest;
I observe the slights and degradations cast by arrogant persons upon
laborers, the poor, and upon negroes, and the like;
All these--All the meanness and agony without end, I sitting, look out
upon,
See, hear, and am silent.

Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass - 1871 ed.
Photo: Majtek862

Locality 43: A poem lovely as a tree

2009-10-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree
-Joyce Kilmer, Trees, 1913
Photo: Lex van de Oudeweetering

The unknown

2009-09-30T01:30:00.000-07:00

: We don´t know how we got here,

or where we are.
We do not know who was here before us,
or where they are now.
We dont even know if they were the ones
that made thís scene.
All we know is that this "home" is very
much alive, and i think we just moved in.

Lokalitet 42: Salhus , Bergen

2009-09-15T00:23:00.001-07:00

Locality 41 (Lindesnes) Transitory

2009-09-07T00:40:00.000-07:00

At Lindesnes Bygdemuseum, this photo depicts two young architects that were never properly credited for their work. Around 1964 (judging from other contemporary photos), Atti Eikaas on the roof, and Odd Terje Vigeland in the doorway, built this magnificent hut. Now the photo is all that remains of it. Apparently, only buildings constructed by adults are worthy of preservation.

Kid huts may compare better to Buddhist sand mandalas. A sand mandala is ritualistically destroyed once it has been completed and its accompanying ceremonies and viewing are finished to symbolize the Buddhist doctrinal belief in the transitory nature of material life. It is the doing that is important, not the artefact. Childhood is transitory. But then again, so is adulthood.

Locality 40 (Arlington, VA, USA) Down memory lane

2009-09-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

On the first of May, 1977, at latitude 38.893036 and longitude 77.10101, expedition member Ken Mayer came into the view of a camera lense. The 3-story monstrosity was built from scrap found along the I-66 right-of-way, where torn down houses and businesses along the former railroad line provided plenty of materials.

"I often feel that city-planners fail to recognize the need for free spaces for kids to create their own stuff. In our case, a 20-year fight over an interstate highway created a great over-grown no-man's-land of ruins and forest" says Mayer in a retrospective comment. Although clearly marked "Private", the remains of the hut are now buried below the highway, waiting to be rediscovered.

Anybody home?

2009-08-26T02:23:00.001-07:00

Locality 39 (Aigle, Switzerland) Unintended Installation

2009-07-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

In the forest, near "Aigle", Switzerland, artist and explorer Nicolas Geiser came across this kid hut on slim tree stilts, reachable by a long ladder made of two poles with plank steps. The hut is constructed so that no two boards are alike, nor of the same length. And the "door" is actually a rug. Creativity is the mother of invention.

Locality 38 (Arendal) Ascent at Paradise Bay

2009-07-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

Using our expedition boat, a GH 14 with a Yamaha 9,9 HP outboard motor, we are now able to navigate into unexplored bays and islets in the archipelago outside the South Coast of Norway. At Paradise Bay on the small island Havsøy outside of Arendal, a large Ash invited itself to be explored. Somebody had mounted a small swing from one of the branches. At the top of the tree we thought we could discern a small tree hut, but could not be sure from our position on the ground.
Choosing a moment when no-one seemed near, we leapt sinuous and catlike, into the lower branches of the forest giant. Silently we climbed to a great height until we found a point where we could look through a leafy opening upon the scene beneath us.

We had now ascended to the structure we could discern from the ground, and from this angle we realized that it was more of a look-out tower at the top of the forest canopy than a proper hut. A floor, but no walls or roof, the structure was nevertheless sturdily built, and the bent spikes told the tale about the young builders. How on earth they had managed to get up there remained a mystery until we found remains of past ropes that in the past must have made the ascent at Paradise Bay a breeze.

Locality 37 (Northwest Pennsylvania, US) Anaglyph

2009-07-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

Ah, the wonders of MODERN SCIENCE! Thanks to the TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS of the 19th century, explorer Ian5281 has provided us with an anaglyph of a snow fort discovered in northwest Pennsylvania, US. This AMAZING STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE may be FULLY appreciated by explorers equipped with a standard set of 3d glasses, such as the one depicted below. NO EXPLORER WOULD DARE LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!

Ah, how fitting that this EXOTIC PHOTOGRAPH of a snow fort should be featured on this summer edition of our INQUISITIVE AND INFORMATIVE BLOG, looking into the MYSTERIES OF CHILDHOOD. We wish our fellow explorers a HAPPY SUMMER HOLIDAY! And do beware of those ULTRAVIOLET RAYS. Tans may come and go, but MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!

Locality 36 (Martinsburg, West Virginia) Simple Living

2009-05-18T23:50:00.000-07:00

Explorer Dr. Boden managed to document this tree construction in Martinsburg, West Virginia before the city made the young constructor James demolish the site on claims it was an "eye sore". But with this more substantial shelter about him, he had made some progress toward settling in the world. This frame, so slightly clad, was a sort of crystallization around him, and reacted on the builder. It was suggestive, somewhat as a picture in outlines. He did not need to go outdoors to take the air, for the atmosphere within had lost none of its freshness. "An abode without birds is like a meat without seasoning".

Det norske huset

2009-05-04T12:41:00.001-07:00

Frode Grytten and photographer Jens Hauge have been on extensive kid hut expeditions and present their reports in the book "Det norske huset". According to Dagbladet, the starting point for the book project was close to 70 b/w photographies of Norwegian kid huts, documented by Hauge across the last 20 years, everything from small shacks in the trees, sheet metal huts and snow castles to strange tunnelways, crooked verandas and more elaborate constructions resembling art installations. . .

Locality 27-35 (Fevik) A Survey

2009-04-13T02:03:00.000-07:00

We now publish the preliminary results of the survey conducted within the Søm-Ruagerkilen Nature Reserve at Fevik, Norway. The area only became protected in 2006, and contains a birch forest housing a wealth of biological diversity, as well as the Ruagerkilen lagoon sheltered from the open sea and containing a number of sea birds.

The survey discovered as many as 9 different localities within the area. The density of huts was particularly striking in the immediate proximity to the lagoon itself, making it likely that the same constructors were responsible for most of these huts. All of these were basic tree huts at various stages of completion, constructed mainly from wooden boards.

However, there were also two other localities that displayed a completely different culture, notably locality 27, and 32. The former was in fact the most concealed site, located only 20-25 metres from a dirt road at the outskirts of the forest, and the last to be discovered. The site consisted of a sort of rough A-shape shelter built from tree branches and some additional tarpauling. The attempt at concealing the hut makes sense given that it was actually located within the protected forest, making it illegal. However, all of these localities were actually within the protected area.

The only other hut bearing any likeness to loc. 27, was loc. 32, which was found within the protected forest itself. This was also constructed in the manner of a shelter, although missing a full cover. An old hand saw was found at the site, perhaps suggesting that the hut was of considerable age and may have been built before the area became protected. However, it should be noted that both these latter localities were ecologically built, using rope and branches and carefully blending in with the landscape, on the border of making them invisible.

Locality 26 (Basel, Switzerland) The Lilliputians are coming

2009-04-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

Intrepid explorer Gulliver Lorpailleur discovered this miniature construction 3/4 up a street lamp in Basel. Obviously the constructors must be illegal immigrants from a remote nation of the world. "Hekhinah Degul" indeed.

Locality 25 (Port Allen, Louisiana, US) The Castle

2009-03-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

American explorer bmooneyatwork documented this castle in 2007 across the river from Baton Rouge and under the carport. The castle may or may not inhabit Basquiat's spirit.

Locality 24 (San Luis Obispo CA, US) The Giving Tree

2009-03-07T03:21:00.000-08:00

Veteran explorer Aroid shares stories about the hut next to the Cypress tree in his family's back yard in August 1960.

"Chuck had his fort in this tree, using bike crates for wood. Then he cut off key branches to keep us from gaining access. He tore down the fort--as much fun as building it.

Mom had something to say about us building our own fort. Clearly she did not get it. Munther the gardener built us a "nice" fort, with a concrete floor, properly put together. You can see it there, the first storey, with what was a window.

Then we took over, adding stories and taking it up into the old cypress tree.

I was always surprised how junky mom let us make this area. Then one day she suggested we clean it up, and we tore the fort down. The end of an era. Then she had the whole area professionally landscaped and it lost all interest for us. Became like a mall or a development. I guess she figured it was time, and she was right. "

1. I spent many an afternoon around here, and noticed a Painted Lady butterfly made regular rounds, often landing near the tree.
2. Chuck cut off a key low-hanging branch right here, that you had to swing over to get up into the tree. without it us short kids could not climb it. we may have had a way into the tree by using the fence.
3. The tree had resin exuding from it, which we got on our hands, and smelled of. The bark was redder below, and shredded. It had tiny green splotches on it.
4. Each of these branches, and crevices was familiar to me, how you had to stretch to get across them, it all seemed wonderfully primal, but i did not know that word at the time. It was exciting to climb as high as you could.
5. We spent a lot of time climbing around in this tree. When friends would come over I was surprised they could not scramble around in it also, because it was unfamiliar to them. It had become second nature to me. I love being up in trees, looking out.
6. Perhaps the most foolish thing I ever did was climb to the top of this tree with a coil of steel cable and throw it out and over the power line to the left. When it hit the ground all hell broke loose. Sparks flew, cable was being where it crossed the wires, and falling to the ground.
7. We got bags of new nails at Forden's Hdwr. Freddy Waters noted that we wasted nails when we had a lot of them, and were very careful when we were just about out. That always stuck in my head, his observation.
8. Chuck showed us how to straighten bent nails with a hammer and use them again. He was always hammering and building things as a child.
9. A second cypress tree grew off to the left, but it was always a runt. I climbed up in it once all by myself, must have been really little, and got stuck, and Mr. Gillardi had to be summoned to get me out.
10. this fence was taken down and replaced as part of the new order, about 1961, and nasty ivy was planted all around, and boring shrubs.

Locality 23 (Dunstan, England) Cottage Inn

2009-03-03T11:37:00.000-08:00

Explorer Rojabro reports that "In addition to a large children's play area, there is a tree house in the woods at the Cottage Inn in Dunstan. near Craster and Dunstanburgh Castle"

Locality 22 (Crespano del Grappa, Italy) Child dream

2009-02-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

Expedition member Stezz managed to photograph this deserted tree hut at these coordinates: 45°50'17"N, 11°49'57"E, noting that it was "every child's dream". Voglio vivere su un albero...

Locality 20 (San Fransisco) In the mission

2009-01-31T23:08:00.001-08:00

In the following, we will post photos and short reports from Kid Hut Expedition members all over the world through our Explorers club on Flickr. The first post in this series derives from Expedition member Drain's explorations in San Fransisco, US., Albion Street near 17th. "In the mission...I wonder who stays there".

Locality 19: What the snow covered (Arendal)

2009-01-26T01:17:00.000-08:00

Our expedition embarked into the unexplored forest area that stretches from the public cemetery in Arendal and into the interior parts of the god forsaken country. The weather was treacherous, with snow falling heavily from the dense forest canopy above and covering what remained of footpaths. At times, the trail felt as impassable as it must have been for Roald Amundsen on his arctic treks.

It is not always the shortest way that is the best; here, in any case, it was to be hoped that another and longer one would offer better conditions. The shortest way was awful — possibly not altogether impracticable, if no better was to be found. First we had to work our way across a hard, forested slope, which formed an angle of 45 degrees, and ended in a huge, bottomless chasm. It was no great pleasure to cross over here on ski, but with heavily-laden sledges the enjoyment would be still less.

The prospect of seeing sledge, driver, and dogs slide down sideways and disappear into the abyss was a great one. We got across with whole skins on ski, and continued our exploration. Now came the great question: What was there on the other side of the ridge? Was it the same desperate confusion, or would the ground offer better facilities? Three of us went off to see. Excitement rose as we neared the saddle.

Partly concealed in the snow, we came across what appeared to us as an ancient Indian burial ground, similar to the ones found in the Mid-West parts of what is now USA.The fact that we were not able to find any remains of human bones at the site, may suggest that local birds of prey had already devoured the corpses according to custom.

Locality 18 (Kragerø) The Lost Tribe

2008-11-14T03:17:00.000-08:00

Kragerø, Norway. One of Norway's last uncontacted tribes has been spotted in the far southern jungle near the coast.

The tribe was sighted in an Environmental Protected Area surrounding Kalstadtjenna in a recent survey. Expedition members said they photographed "strong and healthy" warriors, a hut and a large planted area. But it was not known to which tribe they belonged, the group said.

"Four distinct isolated peoples exist in this region, whom we have accompanied for 20 years," a local expert said in a statement.

The tribe sighted recently is one of the last not to be contacted by officials. The group does not make contact with such tribes and prevents invasions of their land to ensure their autonomy, a spokesman said.

Survival International said the tribe is in danger from illegal logging which is driving tribes over the county border and could lead to conflict with uncontacted tribes now living on the Aust-Agder side.

There are more than 100 uncontacted tribes worldwide, the group said in a statement. "These pictures are further evidence that uncontacted tribes really do exist," an expedition member said. "The world needs to wake up to this, and ensure that their territory is protected in accordance with international law. Otherwise, they will soon be made extinct."

Locality 17 (Arendal) The Hidden Valley

2008-10-20T12:59:00.000-07:00

Upon our recent expedition in the Stinta area of Arendal we came across a hidden valley in the middle of an otherwise densely populated are on the outskirts of the small town centre. We had entered a marvelous canyon above what appeared to be several sites of abandoned ruins. A hidden path at Stintetoppen ran through a land of matchless charm. It had the majestic grandeur of the Canadian Rockies, as well as the startling beauty of the Nuuanu Pali near Honolulu, and the enchanting vistas of the Koolau Ditch Trail on Maui.

In the variety of its charms the power of its spell, I know of no place in the world which can compare with it. Not only had it small peaks looming below the clouds overhead; gigantic precipices of many-coloured granite rising sheer for hundreds of feet above the valley, it had also, in striking contrast, orchids and tree ferns, the delectable beauty of luxurious vegetation and the mysterious witchery of the jungle. One was drawn irrisistibly onwards by ever-recurring surprises through a deep, winding gorge, turing and twisting past overhanging cliffs of considerable height.

Above all, there was the fascination of finding here and there under swaying vines, or perched on top of a beetling crag, the remains of a bygone race; and of trying to understand the bewildering romance of the ancient builders who, ages ago, sought refuge in a region which appears to have been expressly designed by nature as a sanctuary for the oppressed, a place where they might fearlessly and patiently give expression to their passion for wooden walls of passable beauty.

Traversing the valley, our expedition suddenly encountered a wild animal watching us from a ledge above the concealed jungle trail. One of the native porters suggested that this mysterious golden cat creature was an animal spirit, a ch’unel, a supernatural companion with an intertwined fate with a Shaman. The conclusion was drawn that the past valley inhabitants had somehow managed to transform themselves into animal spirits to protect the valley sanctuary which we were trespassing. While the porters abandoned our gear and hastily returned to their villages, the wild cat disappeared into the jungle never to be seen again.

Locality 16 (Arendal) Tree swing

2008-09-11T01:14:00.000-07:00

Our expedition along Nidelva uncovered the remains of an interesting site. Not far from the outlet of the river at Hisøya, a tree swing had been mounted next to a small pristine beach. Our footsteps seemed to be the first ever, and there were no signs of native tribes.

Access to mount the swing was provided by a series of wooden steps assembled in the tree trunk. Some of the steps showed signs of wear and had clearly not been maintained since they had been constructed.

The site closely resembled the hidden-away look out sites known from Edgar Rice Burroughs' books on Tarzan. Concealed in the foliage, a person could keep a close watch on his surroundings, diving into the river at will to save a drowning virgin.

Locality 15 ( Åsen, Skien)

2008-08-03T08:50:00.000-07:00

Locality 14 (Jomfruland) Largest Ash in the North

2008-08-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

The island Jomfruland (Virgin Land) stretches 7.5 kilometers long and shelters the small coastal town Kragerø from the rough Skagerak ocean. Prehistoric remains on the island suggests that it has been occupied since 1800 BC. Whereas archaeologists have surveyed the island rather extensively, little is known about potential kid huts in the area. Our expedition uncovered traces of a construction in an Ash tree close to the famous lighthouses on the island.

Although it has been established that the Ash on Jomfruland is not the largest Ash in the North, locals on the island continue to claim it is. As a result, the tree is frequently visited by children climbing and playing in the Ash, as indicated in the photo below which was found on the net.

The tree measures 5.2 meters around the trunk. In the surrounding soil many potsherds were found, indicating domestic activities in the proximity. However, it is unclear whether the potsherds have actually been used in connection with past constructions in the tree proper. Indeed, little but a few spikes, boards, engravings and a small ladder remains of past constructions in the tree today. The engravings in the hard wood seem to consist of first names and give little further information about the persons who have visited the site.

An interesting and important feature of this particular tree is that at a certain point the trunk divides into several large branches, making room for a small oval space about 1x1 meters in which it is possible to play, rest or even sleep, as members of the expedition conveniently discovered. Thus, the so-called Largest Ash in the North is actually a kid hut in itself.

Locality 13 (Arendal) Beware of fakes

2008-07-02T02:03:00.000-07:00

Our team received a letter from a person who believed to have discovered the presence of a kid hut close to the town centre of Arendal. However, a survey revealed that whereas the small tree hut did initially resemble a kid hut, upon closer inspection it was obviously a fake. The sturdiness of the construction and its' general resemblance of surrounding houses gave it away. This construction was built by adults, for children. Beware of fakes.

Locality 12 (Arendal) Double ruins

2008-06-05T23:52:00.000-07:00

By coincidence we came across a hidden kid hut on the outskirts of the centre of Arendal, concealed within the dense foliage of a copper beech (Fagus sylvatica forma Purpurea).

The locality was placed within an abandoned area consisting of the ruins of a 19th century wooden house, a barn and an overgrown outhouse. The worm-infested tall grass surrounding the site made access somewhat difficult, and vermin had moved into the vacant ruins.

However, inside the ruins of the house there were also signs of recent activity. Adolescents had taken their time to spray graffiti messages across several rooms, some of which read "Mum" (Norwegian: Mor), perhaps suggesting that the pieces were made by children in a transitory phase towards adolescence, awaiting to leave home and finding their own place. It is possible that the artists also constructed the nearby kid hut, which was supported on some solid branches 3 meters above the ground. Several artefacts were found close by, including a chair and a sofa that seemed to have been dragged out from the ruins to be used in connection with the tree hut. However, most of these artefacts were now being reclaimed by vegetation. In any event, building material was plenty inside the barn, and part of the hut had been constructed with parts of the ruins, including the use of a door as part of a platform.

The dense tree canopy seemed to make a roof somewhat superfluous. In fact, the dense vegetation which concealed the hut, the availability of building materials, and the exploratory possibilities within the ruins made the site an ideal spot for a kid hut. Condemned by the authorities, the site had probably nevertheless been secretly occupied for years.

Locality 11 (Setesdalen)

2008-05-22T02:09:00.000-07:00

We are back from a long and arduous expedition into Setesdalen (valley of pastures) in the south of Norway. We followed the Otra river which flows from the Hardangervidda plateau to the north. The traditional district is known for its' wealth of Norwegian folk art, rugged nature and wildlife. Local folk costumes, architecture, dialects, dance, customs, and cuisine are a point of cultural focus all through the valley. In Bygland, a small inland farming community, we encountered a group of local children who volunteered to show us the remains of some kid huts nearby. As it turned out, the children were in fact the constructors of the site, which is the largest site documented so far. It overlooked a wonderful valley of pastures, mountains, rivers and valleys, and as it happened, a small flock of grazing reindeer.

The site itself consisted of several constructions scattered within an area of approximately 500 m2 and partly concealed in the dark spruce forest. The largest constructions rested between trees, complete with small verandas resembling architectural details in the traditional cottages also found nearby.

The local children could reveal that the plan was to create a complete miniature tree hut community where it would be possible to walk between the individual huts without touching the ground. In fact, this proved to be a very sound adaptation within the area. The dense forest canopy made little sun penetrate into the area, leaving the ground very moist. Several small buckets were found in the area, indicating that the children had recognized the need for drainage of the site. However, according to the children, the site had partially been abandoned. The reasons were apparently climatic changes: frequent storms had made the area hazardous since several large trees had fallen down and destroyed some huts. Another reason was the lack of proper materials to complete the original project of creating an entire tree hut community. Alas, another abandoned utopia...

Locality 10 (Arendal). Tree hut and ski jump

2008-05-05T02:27:00.001-07:00

During a quick survey in the Stinta/Strømsbu area located very close to the commercial centre of Arendal, we came across a remarkable site in Centralgaten. In the middle of a densely populated housing area consisting primarily of white wooden houses from the 19th century, a ski jump was crammed between the houses.

While we at first mistook the construction to be a kid hut, we discovered the presence of a kid tree hut on the other side of the road, located close enough to function as a referee tower for the ski jump.
Originating in Norway, the first proper ski jump competition was held in 1862, and local ski jumps were built all around the country during the next century, only to cease emerging in the late 1980's and 90's when the climate gradually changed towards less predictable winters. However, according to local sources, the ski jump at Centralgaten is still used during the winter, not least by enthusiastic and nostalgic parents.

Locality 09 ( Bergen)

2008-03-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

At the crossroad where Amalie Skrams Vei and the lowest part of Formanns Vei meet, there is a cluster of maple trees (Acer platanoides). More precisely, there are three large ones and several smaller ones. Acer Platanoides is not particularly long-lived, with a maximum age of around 250 years.
These particular individuals grow in a 45 degree-angeled hillside covered with dirt and leaves showing signs of use as a local dirt path, passing from the upper living area in Sandviken down to the busy traffic street where you in fact find the access vein into the city centre.
Based on prior observations in the area, we infer that parts of the hut must have been constructed within the last three years, while older parts, including a blue swing rope attached to the southern tree, at least dates back to 1999. This makes it probable that the locality is still in use, not least evidenced by the presence of a red "flag" which not long ago must have been covering a young upper body as a t-shirt. The hut itself frugally ascends two of the biggest tree logs, and it is obvious that you must have the ability to be a good climber to master the challenges that this hut has to offer.
We may assume that this hut is perfect for overlooking Amalie Skrams Vei when pulling pranks on victims passing by, and whereas it may not contain the necessary objects for a complete disguise, at least you can swing yourself over to the southern tree in an effective getaway.As such, the hut may serve as a sentinel post guarding or challenging the socio-economical border between the prosperous, villa-dominated higher end Sandviken, and the poorer lower end Sandviken with its' cheaper rental flats located next to the main traffic artery into the city centre.

Locality 08 (Arendal)

2008-03-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

Passing through the old cemetery connected to the wooden Hisøy church, the ruins of an abandoned hut are visible from the road. Climbing a stone wall from the road, we moved through a small vegetative plateau, registering two artefacts possibly connected with the ruins: two transparent plastic jars, one containing the image of a pineapple. Other remains of activity were also found within the area, including rope and planks clinging on to weather-worn tree trunks.

More omnious was the discovery of what may have been an opened tomb somewhat outside the area of the present cemetery. Measuring around 2,5x1,5 metres, a 0,5 m deep coffin-shaped depression in the stony ground was partially covered in foliage, making it easy to stumble into at night time. However, it was impossible to tell whence it had been exhumated. Supposedly, there may have been a church on the island since the middle ages, although it is unclear whether it was placed at the site of the present church. In any event, the discovery of the open tomb left the expedition crew apprehensive, and a discussion ensued on whether or not we should continue the climb towards the scattered ruins on top of the small hill.

Parts of the expedition setting up a temporary base camp at the vegetative plateau, the rest pushed on to make it up the hill before sunset. Half way up, a rope dangling from a tree down into the cemetery far below, may have provided a prior access point to the site, although it must indeed have been an arduous climb. Losing one's grip, one was sure to plunge into the abyss, leaving another corpse to be cared for at the cemetery.

The ruins themselves revealed no indication of the form or function of the site, but the composite character of the material, as well as the registration of the mentioned artefacts in the area, suggested that the site had once been a flourishing society of children. From the hill, the road towards Havsøy was clearly visible, indicating the strategic importance of the site. It was suggested by members of the expedition that the proximity to the unopened tomb may have contributed to the choice of abandoning the site, but it is unclear whether it was actually abandoned or destroyed by a hostile group. At this point, it is all conjecture.

Locality 06 and 07 (Arendal)

2008-03-09T11:38:00.000-07:00

Two small sites were accidentally discovered during a recent routine excursion to Skibberheia at Hisøya in Arendal. Although not remarkable in themselves, the sites are of theoretical interest since they show evidence of not merely being abandoned, but also abandoned before completion. Furthermore, the sites seem to have been constructed for the sake of construction, rather than having a specific secondary purpose.

Locality 06 simply consisted of two horizontal, once yellow but rather weather-worn planks attached to a slender pine tree by nails. Strangely, they were found approximately 2,6 metres up, with no visible clues as to how the builders were able to reach that height.

Locality 07 was somewhat more complex, consisting of several planks and two-by-fours, rope and nail, attached to a standard electricity pole. However, the structure was obviously incomplete by any standards.

Found within an area primarily, and rather densely, inhabited by seniors, it may be argued that the young builders of these two possibly related sites have engaged in an appropriation of their environment, finding the endeavor satisfactory in itself, and consequently abandoning the project before completion. An alternative hypothesis may be that the builders were unable to complete the projects. The sites may in fact be part of a complex nomadic pattern of relocation in which the builders spend part of their time with elder family members at certain intervals of the year.

Locality 05 (Arendal)

2008-03-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

Some local inhabitants at Hisøya in Arendal had revealed the whereabouts of a pristine beach, marking the location on a map and reminding us not to get too close to the swans that often lurked in the native waters. The name of the area, Stølsvika, may translate as the bay of summer pastures, alternatively bay of dairy farm. However, at the time of the expedition there were not signs of domesticated animals of any species, nor any visible remains of the suggested farm. What we did discover, was the remains of a tree hut located very close to a beach front wooden house, and partly painted in the same colours; a rather intense shade of red. It should be noted that some planks were either unpainted or in a different more yellowish color, suggesting that the wooden planks had come from distinct sources.

The access to the tree hut proved somewhat of a mystery, and we did not feel confident to venture too close to the house proper to investigate further. This also implied that we were unable to make any excact measures of the location. From what we could discern of the structure, it seemed to consist of two adjoining parts supported on a rudimentary wooden platform resting on the branches of a single weather-worn pine tree. We noticed the presence of at least two glass-less windows which may have served as look-out points. The rather precise adjoining of the wooden planks in the walls suggested that an adult had supervised or even taken part in the construction. There were no signs of the builders although it was difficult to ascertain whether the site was abandoned or not.

Locality 04 (Bergen)

2008-02-27T12:30:00.001-08:00

On the lower west side of the hidden mountain with the adventurous name: Dragefjellet [Dragon mountain] located in the city centre of Bergen, lays location 04.
We found the way trough narrow wood-housing and cobble stone roads, not to forget the crammed streets between concrete walls before the site suddenly appeared.

This loving space: a green garden with berry-bushes and white flowers laying solid at the end of a slope, the green grass that will soon be transformed into a protected football field on sunny days. This amazing and revealing fruit garden welcomed us and we immediately felt at home.

The hut is placed very solidly in the palm of a tree, holding and supporting the four walls that contains only wooden plank, the roof revealing itself as a more rational construction since it contains a dark green plastic coat, folded around the corner and tightened with a rope. This roof happens to be completely perfect for the rainy climate we have to fight here on the west coast of Norway.

Even though the position of the tree is close to a passing asphalt street, and traffic moves by, it is still a very protected and sealed off area.
It is needless to say that the builders of this site have spent a great deal of time to establish the calm and sensible atmosphere that the hut exists in, we suspect they may have constantly returned to the location to be present in this wonderful ambience.

Sadly we cannot recall observing any artifacts telling us anything about the builders’ use of the hut nor any evidence of spatial organization.

Locality 03 (Bergen)

2008-02-27T02:25:00.000-08:00

The coastline throughout Sandviken used to host a wealth of industry. While some remains, there has been a more recent shift towards lucrative housing enterprises. At Sandviksboder 77-78, within the property of Rolf Olsen Saltimport a/s we registered a kid hut project located on a small overhanging cliff facing the sea. At the time it was surrounded by abandoned industry, inviting explorations within old and precarious structures housing vermin and mechanical monsters. Like these buildings, little remains of the hut at present.

The site was located at a precipice which may have remained from previous demolition work in the area. A small shelf was accessible by climbing what resembled natural steps in the rock, housing several artefacts as well as a small provisory dwelling consisting of loose planks, rope and fur. Thus, the nature of the site was somewhat reminiscent of a miniature version of prehistoric Pueblo cliff dwellings in New Mexico and Arizona.

At the shelf we also found an old kitchen chair, but we were unable to determine its' proper age. Next to this, we also noticed an empty Coca-Cola bottle. Venturing to the south, balancing on a small crevice, we came across another part of the site which we imagined may have served as a kitchen, again concealing several artefacts which included a lamp shade stripped of fabric. The nature of the site and the plethora of abandoned artefacts made us concur that it is highly unlikely that this locality is connected to the previous localities, displaying markedly different cultural traits and craftmanship.

Locality 02 (Bergen)

2008-02-26T13:53:00.000-08:00

The locality 02 (Bergen) was found in the vicinities of locality 01, but departing from Fjellveien further south. Half way up a steep foot path we came across a passage in which there was a need to make use of a long rope attached to an overlying tree limb to continue. This area featured far more trees and vegetative growth than at the previous location. There is reason to believe these trees also originate in the large scale municipal planting project some two hundred years ago, although of a different species and family.

On a small slope we encountered a somewhat concealed structure resting between several trees and elevated above the ground. Accessibility into the structure was by aid of small tree planks inserted into the sides of the trees to function as a provisory and most fragile ladder. The nature of this difficult access may support our suspicion that the site had been constructed by relatively young, but both clever and daring local children.

The hut consisted of at least three spacious levels, hanging from five pine trees and attached by relatively small nails and occasionally rope. What remained of walls and floors was mainly constructed by fine-cut tree plates, interspersed with heavy plates in corrugated iron, painted in checkered green. Sadly, we were unable to retrieve any artefacts from the site, leaving us with little knowledge about the function of the site, nor about the builders. However, a relatively small area seems rather densely dispersed with kid huts, suggesting that the various localities may be connected.

Locality 01 (Bergen)

2008-02-26T12:09:00.000-08:00

We departed from Fjellveien, a traffic less dirt road ending in Sandviken, approximately 200 metres to the south of the location of an old power plant . A steep foot path led into the forested mountain which eventually towers above Sandviken, rising to 313 meters above sea level. The old stoned stairway known as Stoltzekleiven is found nearby; reportedly counting more than 800 steps. This monumental work is said to have been completed by unemployed youth after the second world war, improving the conditions of the existing foot path which may date much further bak in time. However, the present expedition explored regions somewhat lower and more southernly in the terrain.

The steep foot path proved difficult to traverse and tended to disappear altogether in certain parts. At some point we stumbled upon an old park bench which mysteriously had been dragged all the way up the hillside, necessitating transport across considerable distances. Needless to say, the laborers must have been quite fit because at this point we were presperating considerably, and the park bench proved a welcomed discovery.

After climbing for around an hour, we came across a small plateau which gave space to a cluster of trees of an unknown type. Apparently, all trees in this areas originate from abroad. Large-scale planting of trees occurred around two hundred years ago, establishing a somewhat forested landscape in lower parts of the mountains. However, the most surprising discovery was that an abandoned kid hut had been constructed at the site, being supported by five tall and sturdy trees and protected from a natural stone wall toward east, facing upwards. The discovery of a large tree plate in almost fosforent green on the northwest wall was something of a mystery to us, as we immediately recognized it from its' previous location much further north within the same area.

The hut, which may indeed have been originally conceived as a tower, consisted of five walls, one of which was left open to enable some sort of entrance. A small tree ladder led up to a small roof terrace with a splendid view of the surrounding area. Some of the trees contained undecipherable knife-engravings, mostly consisting of initials and symbols which we believe must date much further back. Lowering to enter the hut, we could discern nothing but two small plastic bread baskets inside, and later surveys revealed no more artefacts. It was as if the builders of the site had had plenty of time to remove all evidence of activity. A concealed path 200 meters north led to another locality which may have replaced the current site at some point. We are left to speculate about the reasons for the relocation and the intentions of the builders of the site.