Locality 22 (Crespano del Grappa, Italy) Child dream

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

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)

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

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

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

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)

Locality 14 (Jomfruland) Largest Ash in the North

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

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

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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.