How to Climb Trees Without Branches
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- Опубликовано: 27 мар 2015
- This is a tree climbing technique based on a skill some people use to scale coconut trees. In the north, it allows you to move up branchless trunks. I've also included a woods-game that sharpens your climbing, endurance, strength, and awareness skills.
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I am actuallly up in a tree while watching this
Now that rocks.
=) Kenton
Did you die o.o xD
BRO SAME!
What if your device that your watching this on falls off the tree
Me to i wantent to see if he showed how to get down been up here a couple of hours lol
I did this on lamp posts as a kid.
kasper sorbom OMG!!! Me too!!! :D
XD i did too ironically enough.
Same
That’s amazing I’m glad you’re still alive to tell the tale.
Kasper sörbom same I did it all the time
I've tried this out a couple times when i go hiking with my friends, I don't know what it is about climbing up a tree this way but it feels so rewarding when you make it to the top!
Isn't it awesome! We were playing "pig" today, and it was so fun to scamper up those trees!
=) Kenton
I really respect how you show the whole process that you go through, and don't edit out the slips. That helps the rest of us to remember that it's not about the momentary "failures" in life, but about the ongoing process of growth and discovery.
Craig Richardson Thanks Craig. The truth is that I fall all the time, both literally and figuratively. As you say, if we grow from our slips . . .=) Kenton
41 years old,, today i found out i can still climb a tree,,,ty for showing how my 10 year old boy thought it was funny as hell but i did it bro ty for the vid
Right on Jason! We "oldies" aren't so old, are we?
=) Kenton
ReWildUniversity "boomers"
Some Fella how is 45 a mans prime
Aloysius Redillas I’m serious though lol I’m so confused, maybe they’re brain is in prime condition n deteriorates as you get older but as far as physical prime goes I’m pretty sure it’s like 25 to 35 depending but 45? Lmfao is this guy gone? Just cause your 45 doesn’t mean that’s true , you just don’t wanna give it up.. sitting there at 45 tryin to tell women your in your prime n ish lol I mean I’d be happy if that was true but ain’t no way a 45 year old is in they’re prime
Aloysius Hiedler lmfao
Instructions were unclear.
Accidentally climbed up to Mars.
I'm using the alien's Wi-Fi, they were kind enough to give me the password.
Lol
Lol wtf that shit funny as hell bruuh lmao
Lol
Same except I climbed outside the galaxy
Noble six it’s called ‘WHY WOULD YOU CLIMB THIS’ tree. It’s in the bottom of hell which is very easy to find because it’s what humans call school. Ya welcome but not in my home :P
34 years old here and you just ignited my childhood urge to climb things.
Woohoooo! Mission accomplished!!!! =)
Ditto. I'm 46.
I like to call this Barkour lol, inside joke for all the free runners out there!!! Step 1 be in AMAZING PHYSICAL CONDITION. Step 2 do what guy does I this video.
Barkour! That's pretty good.
Canadian Prepper Barkour! You're a genius! I love it =)
ReWildUniversity Hahaha Barkour, nice one Canadian Prepper. :-D I teach parkour and I would love to teach bushcraft and survival as well. Love it both and love your videos. Thanks for the time and effort you put into making them and teaching so many. Peace from Belgium.
Ersin Bogaerts
So great to hear from a parkour teacher! I wish I could spend some time with you . . . =) As for teaching the bushcraft and survival -- go for it! It's fairly easy to get into, if you just start with posting a flyer offering a small class on a skill that you are proficient in, and go from there! We need all the people sharing this knowledge that we can get!
Thanks also for the great compliments, and for letting me know where you are writing from! Peace in return from Wisconsin, USA!
=) Kenton
ReWildUniversity Likewise and thanks for the advice. I love making bow drill fires and next on the list is the hand drill. I watched your excellent video on it. I have the callous from parkour but not yet the technique. =D I made me a bamboo debris hut in my backyard, my little paradise, good place to practice in a controlled environment.happy bushcrafting ;-)
in then you are climbing and see a spider...you know the rest
This made me itchy
"Hello there spider friend!"
@John Wayne Darwin Awards, Falling to your death because you saw a spider, probably not even a venomous one, a few branches away.
I'd have a heart attack
You climb back down
WHOAH! Not even a week ago I was talking with my friend that this is impossible to climb XD Thank you. Now I know what to do when some creature will want to taste me ;]
Perfect!!
=) Kenton
Grizzlies can't climb. Lynx not dangerous. Now cougar....
@@freestyle9368 grizzlies can definitely climb trees. black bear too. and they can be damn fast. there's plenty of video of it online.
@@christopherrowley7506 grizzly bears can't climb trees because of their claws shape and arm strength but black bear can very well. Not to mention grizzly's weight.
@@gavinlightfoot5521 They can indeed:
ruclips.net/video/dPnp3fLOER8/видео.html
Very excellent video. What a great way to get in better physical condition and challenge yourself. I liked game too.
Survival On Purpose Thank you! We have a bunch of those games we play out here -- tons of fun while developing your skills . . . You have a great channel by the way! =) Kenton
I really appreciate that Kenton. One day maybe I can come and visit your school. I know I would learn so much. I really enjoy your viewpoint.
Survival On Purpose It would be AMAZING to spend some time together -- we could learn a lot from each other, and probably have some awesome fireside chats . . .
=) Kenton
Man looking forward to next time i go in the woods alot more now lol!
Austin Steiner
Enjoy! So much adventure to be had!
=) Kenton
I just climbed a thin and weak tree today because my younger brother and his friends had kicked their soccer balls up in the same tree. The only problem was that the balls were caught in different branches at the end of the thin tree branches and we couldn't throw anything to make them fall. I just started climbing it branch by branch which were getting thinner and thinner and then started to bend from my weight. Then I shook two of the soccer balls off. The last one was unlucky because it was stuck in the highest branch and was perfectly surrounded by other branches. I couldn't shake it off so I came down.
I have also climbed pine trees couple of times but they were easy compared to this one because it had weaker branches.
By the way it was a great experience and fun. No wonder, our ancestors were once tree climbing primates.
+Arham Ghauri Awesome! I love it when we can use these skills in "real life" situations, like getting down those soccer balls. I bet it was pretty cool to watch you go up that tree!
=) Kenton
ReWildUniversity Thank You !
Thank you for the motivation! I got so good at branchless tree climbing that now I can climb trees thicker than what my arms can grasp (as long as they don't have smooth bark). I can do it for at least 10 meters (I think that's like 35 feet) on most trees. I prefer the hopping technique because it allows you to bring your crotch close to the tree, making it easier not to fall, which is essential for those heights. The secret combination is strong fingers, strong pulling muscles on your hands, strong and flexible feet (you should be able to do at least one pistol squat for each leg), flexible ankles and low body weight. I would love to climb a palm tree once... Maybe next summer.
This looks fun, I'm gonna try it!
Awesome! I hope you love it! Your channel rocks, by the way! Thanks for bringing all these positive health messages to people. Much needed!
=) Kenton
Thank you for this. I've been climbing trees since I was a kid and the place where I moved to had a lot of trees without lower Branches and I don't feel like me when I haven't climbed a tree in awhile. I'll be sure to practice this one.
Taryn, I hope this serves you well!!! Woohooo on tree climbing!
=) Kenton
one of the greatest ways to feel alive! Started doing this randomly a while back! Happy to see I am not the only crazy ape out there! :D
Woohoo! It really is fun, isn't it? And thanks for your subscription!!
This is a super cool method! I recently understood that it can also be used to climb lamp posts which often let you easily get on top of roofs or walls. Thank you for the video!
Indeed! Great for urban parkour!
=) Kenton
His hands must be made of whip leather.
@@OchuHoustonTexas no
So simple... brilliant! I cannot even start to wrap my head around how much we as civilization have forgotten, your channel is gold man! :)
Appreciated!!
=) Kenton
This is great! I bet this will come in handy someday and it is such a fun exercise for over all body health and pushing yourself to grow to greater heights. Thanks so much for your teachings.
Ghea, thank you -- I always appreciate your words!
=) Kenton
Ghea Nirnroot PPL KEEP MAKING PUNS
Wow, I just discovered your channel and I am enjoying it a lot! I like your voice and the way you talk and express yourself: it sounds so relaxing, peaceful and nice. Great content.
Appreciated! Thank you, and welcome to the channel!!
=) Kenton
Does it include coconut trees? I want to climb and get a coconut.
I think it would work great for coconut trees!
=) Kenton
I love this because people. See this and get inspired to get off their devices and get out onto nature
YES!!! That is our hope =) Ironically, we're using screens to try to get people off of screens =)
A few months ago I was at a place without big trees, so I decided to try this on a pole and it worked! Thank you, I can't stop watching (and trying) your videos! =)
Alejandro, I'm so glad you are liking these videos!
=) Kenton
I swear to god he is a caveman
Why would you live in a cave when you can live in a house?
@@angycucumber4319
They didn't have houses 100,000 years ago
@@Lyl_Gamescook They had houses 100000 years ago lol. Huts. There actually weren’t many cavemen ever I think
@@jawaun1875
They build houses out of animals skin, bones and mammoth tusks
45% of human 100,000 ago probably lived in caves because there are many human bones found in caves
Just got into free climbing trees so am enjoying watching your instruction. I'm yet to try a tree without branches but will give it a go.
Let me know how it goes, and thanks for changing the paradigms about age and fitness!! =)
Everyone should know how to climb a tree like this, it can help in certain situations. Great tutorial!
So glad you liked it!!! =)
now THAT is how to climb a tree
Let’s be honest you searched for this
😂😂😂😂
skinniest trees ever
If the branches are long to then it might be siren head
You had me at climb tree. Today I've watched 6 of your videos and look forward to the rest. You've got a great way of explaining things . You're honest about mistakes which help in the learning process. I rock climb and always look at how I'm going to climb something, especially trees. I'm in Ontario so a lot of the vegetation is similar and that is what drew me to your videos. My family and I are eager to go make pine pitch glue, search for the fungus on birch, hand drill etc. Thanks for all your great videos.
Evan Lee Evan, thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I'm so pleased to hear that you are enjoying these videos! We must have many of the same species of trees and plants. Let me know how things like the glue and hand drill go, and the tree climbing too. Great to hear from a rock climber, since you have the "body knowledge" of where to place your weight, and the requisite hand and forearm strength. I bet it would be easier in climbing shoes, too!
=) Kenton
Thank you, I’m trying to learn how to climb trees with no branches, this really helps!
You asked for our stories: When I first started climbing coconut trees I marked out my target, it took me a little over a month to develop my strength enough to go up this straight medium sized tree. Every day I would get a few feet higher. Eventually I ended up climbing higher and higher trees, to the point that I found myself swaying around in the wind 20 metres up a thin/long coconut tree, wondering if I had enough strength to control my descent without slipping! I decided to try get comfortable and had a little nap up the top while I recovered a little. I started losing my grip halfway down... No choice but to keep going though, the longer I hung the more fatigued my muscles became. While I was risking my life up there recovering some prick waltzed up and walked off with my best picked coconut too. greedy bugger, he didn't even look up the tree and wonder where the coconuts had come from.
Anyway... The moral of my story is "Monkey see, monkey get!", keep it up!
+Sen Craine Ha! What a great story! I can just see you up there, clinging for your life, while some guy bends over, picks up one of your coconuts, and walks off, humming merrily to himself . . .
=) Kenton
B
I used to fo that as a 7yr old but I climed the tall basketball poles instead lol
Omg i have to try that
Hey Kenton I signed up for your newsletter and checked out your website! Awesome stuff. Can't wait for more videos and newsletters :) all the best.
Scott Matthews Thank you Scott! I really appreciate your subscriptions, and hope that you continue to enjoy the videos!
=) Kenton
How fun! I love climbing haha. Back when I was a kid my friends called me "Monkey" because I could climb anything..and usually was :)
Agile Woodsman It really is fun, isn't it?
Hey ReWild, you're a very good climber so I don't think you're getting beaten at the pig game often :) Now can u show us how to swing between trees, to move away from the pig so it doesn't turn into a siege :)
+Bush Channel Thanks! And that would be a super-fun video, doing a bit of tree swinging. Maybe this spring . . .
=) Kenton
I just caught the part when you said you have to have some physical good shape. Really good strength overall and technique you need. Great to see.
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed this. Answering your other comment here, too -- let me know if you try it! =)
Great exposition of the technique, I'll surely try it the next time I'm near a suitable tree. Thanks for the video :)
Let me know how it goes, Valerio! =)
I live in northern Ill. And I love bushcraft, I have been studying and practicing it for several years. I have wanted to come up and see your school. But I have two bad knees ( I blew them both out). I was wondering do you have to do the games like this one when enrolled? Other than that I wanted to thank you for being such a positive inspiration and teacher threw RUclips. God bless.
Is it necessary to be barefoot? I'm hoping to build strength to be able to climb my papaya tree that is getting to be too tall for my pole-picker. I think I'd feel more secure with shoes on in case I start sliding down, but not sure if it would provide the necessary grip.
Not at all necessary, Susie -- just my preference. If you have some nice grippy shoes, it should be easier than barefoot!
=) Kenton
I'm gonna try this, it looks fun and useful.
I will definitely give this method a try when I have good enough grip strength
Awesome! Logan, a lot of people say, "I'm not strong enough." You, however, say, "I'm not strong enough YET." That makes all the difference. I love your positive attitude! Cool to see your backflip, by the way!!!
=) kenton
I watched this video like 4 years ago and I found it again by just scrolling through youtube
Ha! Awesome!!!
This is so cool Kenton! Can you still do it? I might give it a try one of these days. I used to try it when I had a whole lot more energy but I didn’t know the concept.
I lost much of the ability after my shoulder surgeries, but it's coming back strong. This summer I hope to be back to 100%. I've been super inspired by my friend at this channel -- he's an unbelievable climber! ruclips.net/channel/UC_AnylDImAPp6tzQ-31_BoQ
Really great video! I will try it out after the rain passes!
Kassie Wilkins Let me know how it goes!
=) Kenton
Thank you for the useful information!
Yay I can learn how to climb a tree....
Wait, how do I safely get down? 🤔
4:08 oh my splinters ☠️
Ha! In this case that tree, the hickory, has super smooth back, but on other trees that could definitely rip up some flesh =)
I want to go to this collage!! Playing fun tree-climbing games
Ha! We do have fun out here =)
Thanks for making these videos man. Really practical, cool to learn about this, i just started giving it a go yesterday. I need to condition my hands and feet more because the tree bark wore through my skin lol. cheers :)
+Tarn MacPherson Ouch! But glad you're giving it a try!
Is your name really Tarn? Because that's about the coolest name ever . . .
=) Kenton
im watching this in a tree rn 😂😂
Right on!!!
=) Kenton
seeing you climb those thin trees has increased my confidence. So if I die its your fault :3
You can do it, Ben! It's super fun =)
Thank you!!! I love climbing anything. I am so gonna do this!!
Right on! Happy climbing!
=) Kenton
Amazing ,you sure make that look easy. Cheers Mary
Mary McN Thanks Mary! I've found that almost anyone can do it, if they take some time to build the hand strength and really pay attention to technique over "muscling" it.=) Kenton
Hi kevin graeber,
Your comment won't allow replies, so I hope you see this! Thanks so much -- I gave it some thought -- but eventually decided I'd stick with the temporary methods . . .
=) Kenton
+ReWildUniversity #replied!
*****
So funny -- I had no idea what a norwood 1 was until a couple of months ago when someone told me that was what I had. Guess I'm lucky!
=) Kenton
*****
Ha! That's right! We meet again on the subject of Norwood 1! That's me -- cold showers and cucumbers!
=) Kenton
I'm not sure what's going on here but I discovered low-salt/semi pickled cucumbers this year and I'm in love.
Here after watching The Hunger Game 🤣
Was wonder how some ppl I saw doing this and me later attempting it but failing. Thx for the video. Hope it will help me out someone other then just for fun.
when I was younger my father taught me how to do this by doing it first. very beneficial and fun.i had to relearn this almost forgot.
Nice! Fun to have skills that are handed down through the generations =)
I fell out of a tree about fifty feet high
Christian Crone Not fun. Glad you're here to write about it!
=) Kenton
Christian Crone. Ouch. Did you break a bone? Or some bones?
Sooo I’m guessing your paralyzed
No you didnt
I came here because I saw a video of Michael Jackson climbing a tree and I wanted to do it too🤣🤣
Great video!
I like the way u describe things. helps a lot for my strength training
It's amazing how Allah has created this world. For the sweetest of sweet fruits, like the date, it's all the way up the tree. You want that sweet fruit every now and then? You gotta earn it and climb that tree
Allah isn’t real
@@ScarfaceGhoulerz exactly
@@samdoesstuff4924 ikr
@@ScarfaceGhoulerz i don't personally believe with my heart any sort of religion. what's the point in having faith and trust in something that you don't even know is real/has never been proven to exist?
Moonlight io yeah people are doing all sorts of things for something that defies physics and science it’s likely made by up by a guy a long time
Hi joe deibel,
Your comment won't allow replies, so I hope you get this. We don't live very far from each other!
Nothing is required at ReWildU -- we customize every program to the individual, so that we can work with people at any physical/emotional/mental level. For us, it's all about creating growth-oriented experiences that meet each individual where they are, and then take them past their preconceived limitations.
=) Kenton
Should get a tattoo like that splash mark it looks awesome
matt cronjager
Thanks! It was a jagua tattoo that I was re-applying for a while. I considered making it permanent, but my wife prefers my body decorated "just as it is".
=) Kenton
J
I'm using the technique which includes wrapping your legs around the trunk and pulling yourself up with your arms, and you repeat the same thing over and over again. Works fine for me but this is cool too
Nice! That's a great method as well! So fun to get up into trees and see from that new perspective =)
Probably one of the most useful skills to have. Just imagine what you could do with it.
You taught me how I learned after watching this and after like 2 or 3 weeks after learning I’m 2x better than you lol I can climb the the top of a Florida cypress in 20 seconds
That's awesome! You rock! I LOVE it when someone takes a skill and runs with it!! =)
Yeah how would a fruit stain like that in such a diamond like pattern
You paint it on like a paste, and it stains your skin.
=) Kenton
That was a nice methode of tree climbing I have tried and it worked out great thanks I love your videos
So glad it worked for you!
=) Kenton
Today I started climbing a pole and did pretty well hope this video helps
Man it's been a month since the last comment so here I am, I found this on my recommended tab on RUclips man and I love it makes me wanna go out more. Imma check some more of your vids hope you're living your best life.
John, that's exactly what I hope for with these videos -- that they inspire us to get off our screens and out into nature for some adventure =)
Hah, hand and forearm strength is my forte.
Nice!!
you know, sometimes i think that if everybody was climbing trees, the world would be cooler, because back in the days humans always climbed trees, fun fact: humans are primates. im here because i just wanted to know how to get better at climbing trees because we were climbing trees at my school too, do you know how to climb on bigger trees?
I love it! Agreed on all points =) If they are larger, you can still climb using this or similar methods (especially the method putting your feet to the side of the tree with your knees splayed out) but it takes much more hand/arm strength. Alternatively, you can use a rope that goes loops between your feet and uses friction to hold you up in the tree. You might find video tutorials if you look up videos on climbing coconut trees =)
@@ReWildUniversity thanks
Reminds me a Russian winter celebration when they put a telephone post in a square, spray it with water which freezes and makes it slippery, and than hang on the top some prize to win if you could climb up and reach it by hand. Looked impossible, but there were some people who did win the prize. They climbed by hugging the post with arms and legs instead of your method of walking on a tree.
I'm really happy that this method actually works. I theorized this method in one of my urban adventures I tried to climb up a wall with about a 3in diameter drain hose leading down from the roof and I tried to climb it but I ended up falling back down. I think I know what I did wrong there. I forgot about my legs lol
+Scott Takahashi An urban adventurer! Awesome! I used to do some of that, and often miss the days of crawling around on buildings . . .
=) Kenton
hahah yea. its cool, but I want to start doing rural adventures.
Scott Takahashi
Those are great too, and definitely my favorite. I suppose it's easy for me to think "the grass is greener" when I see some of the photos urban explorers post of tunnels and ruins . . . =)
I only climb tree when I get hungry for banana 🍌 or other fruit
Lol! A good reason!!! =)
you is Tarzan!!!
Man before i did this it was a bigger tree, but my position was wrong. Atleast i felt it wrong i still managed to climb the tree but not fully. I was in a stay/move position. But i think im going to use it. And if it works i say thank you. If my muscles won't be sore tomorrow i will try and edit this comment. If this works its helpful for one of my skills that im practicing, its very inportant to me.
Please do let me know how it works for you! Remember it can take some strength conditioning using that "hang" position.
=) Kenton
@@ReWildUniversity it worked. Well i didnit get to try it fully but it worked. I think the problem was that it was a big tree or something but i will say that it worked. So thanks man and i viewed your channel in the morning. It looks good and im thinking of maybe subscribing. I looked another video of yours and you said what boredom does and why its good. And i can totally agree. Thank you.
@@mauri4922 Way to go on giving it a try! I'm glad you've found some of the other videos to be beneficial too! I do my best to make them as life-changing a possible =) Love to you! Kenton
I really like your channel! Thank you for your tips! I will try this climbing trees technique here, in the jungle of Brazil. I believe I am strong enough to succeed!
Wow, thanks so much for being part of this channel! Please let me know how that tree climbing goes!
=) Kenton
OMG, reverse evolution! Ever since my ancestors fell out of their trees, we"ve evolved to the point that now it's a social expectation that my gender will not only adapt but master the skill of walking on high heels. I think our species is doomed.
Annie, your comments are hilarious! Thanks for bringing smiles . . .
=) Kenton
much better than the last one i saw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is awesome just the explanation I needed :)
Wow, so glad it was what you were looking for!! =)
The trick with 2 trees is great!
Thanks! A wonderful way to get up off the ground quickly!!
=) Kenton
Thank you! This video got me into tree climbing in the first placeplace, I became so good that I made my own technique, comment if you want to know it, its a more physically demanding technique but your can get more grip and stop to a breath if you want. I can climb a pole that is very slick and can even climb upsidedown.
I'd definitely like to know about your technique! That's awesome!!! =)
I Got back from Fiji recently and I Climbed heaps of palm trees when I was there, I got to the very top too it was so cool :)
Awesome! I've never tried this on a palm. Did you use this technique?
=) Kenton
Nice video. I loved doing this when I was a kid. I need to go climb some trees it's been a while
+ZOMGtheykilledkenny So fun, isn't it? Definitely brings out our inner child!
=) Kenton
Cool I never try to climb those skinny tree , always big one with branches . thanks for the tips ! Cool tattoo .
Ah yes, I miss that tattoo sometimes. It was jagua -- a plant that leaves a temporary stain on the skin.
=) Kenton
thanks that was a useful skill because I kinda relied on branches
+Logan Croxton Glad you like it! The comments contain a number of other methods that viewers have suggested -- lots of good ways to get up a tree!
=) Kenton
All respect to you for maintaining your body strength
Thanks -- I appreciate that!!
@@ReWildUniversity your video is 8 years old and you still answer your comments? holy cow, thats cool :D
@@toastbrot_hd750 Thanks my friend. The only reason my channel is here is because of people like you who watch and take the time to comment =)
i'm writing a book and my character likes to climb trees so this was good research thanks! I would love to be able to do this one day but I don't think I quite have the physical strength yet haha :)
I need to go out to my local park and start trying to climb some trees. Greetings from Adelaide, Australia
+Rory Snow Let me know how it goes! And greetings in return from Wisconsin, USA!
=) Kenton
I can move my legs up on the tree with out falling but I can’t really keep climbing cause I’m practicing still
Keep at it! You'll build strength quickly!
ReWildUniversity I want to learn how to climb like a animal do u think I can do it
Yes I do! Be patient with yourself, but train hard! Check out this channel for some inspiration!
ruclips.net/channel/UC_AnylDImAPp6tzQ-31_BoQ
He regularly comments here -- a great guy and SO skilled!!
ReWildUniversity where designed to climb there’s so much people with disorders and cancer because humans eat junk food and don’t use there power
I did it in 30 seconds I'm still working on it but this was very rewarding.
I havent used it yet but i have tried something like this without any help and i love to climb trees
Awesome!
Its literally 4am and I now decided to learn how to climb trees
No better time, my friend!! =)
wow i tried it and it works great!
I was always wonder how to climb this I am going to try this
When I was a kid i saw some older kids climbing trees like this and I always wanted to know how they did it. My parents were pretty sure they did not want me to climb trees like that though.
Oh my goodness! Thank you for this video. I love climbing trees in this way and in so many others. You seem like someone I would find right here in our nature connection community and am vaguely surprised this is the first time I recall seeing the name Rewild University even though I'm based in SF bay, california. Perhaps I may even come out there some day. I currently work with riekes nature and some other groups in the bay area.
I just saw this and am stoked and will look into your website. I found this as I was researching to see if there are any tree climbing focused ways to make a living (or part time). I've found a number of them, but they are all ropes based and seem to lack the free spirit of free climbing like a monkey that is so important to me. My first memory when I was 3 or younger is of climbing a tree. I absolutely love climbing - especially tree climbing because you can play games like tag in the proper tree and it is soo fun. We do lots of fun stuff in trees in our kids programs, but it is only a part of, and not a major focus, of my role as an instructor. Do you know of any such possible tree climbing/nature parkour focused livelihoods? Thank you and good health and fortune and doing what you all do.
So glad we found each other! It sounds like you are doing AMAZING work (play!), and it heartens me to that you're reaching out to children!
I think, when it comes to livelihoods, there is great possibility in doing something "new", that you create yourself. Could tree climbing become something like MovNat? You could run classes where you learn to "ride" a tree like you ride a horse -- but like riding a horse, the deepest relationship emerges when you sort of entrain, or become one, with the horse. By teaching people about how trees work cooperatively in an ecosystem, and how they grow in response to their environment, we humans could then use that knowledge and translate it into movement. I'd begin in your program by learning about trees, about their relationship with fungi and the larger planet ecosystem. I'd then learn meditation, quickly moving into moving meditation techniques, maybe yoga asanas. Then I'd take it to the trees, learning different ways to move through the trees. As I move in a state of meditation, I can start to "blend and flow" in a parkour way through the trees. The advantage of this program is that it has different layers -- someone in a wheelchair could learn the meditative aspects and just touch trees, or learn to "swing" around the trunks. Someone who is a major parkour enthusiast could take it in a different direction.
Well, just a thought! Maybe it can serve as a springboard for something!
=) Kenton
Thank you for the amazing in depth response. What you are talking about resonates a lot with what I'd like to do. I love trees, tree climbing and play - and I would like to use it as a medium for something that helps people learn a way of life. A way of life that is lived with connection, awareness, love and playfulness. I will take this to heart and it may inspire something I do in the future. Cheers.