AY Honors/Tree Climbing/Answer Key
1. Practice your tree climbing skills a number of times on a 10-15 foot tree.
Climbing coconut trees is a time honored skill in the tropics. It is the only way to get young coconuts which are highly nutritious and provide valuable liquids. In a survival situation, knowing how to climb trees could save your life!
The obvious reason to practice on a 10-15 foot tree first is that it is not a long way to the ground if/when you fall. Have fun!
2. Climb a 20-foot coconut tree. Demonstrate the manner of getting back down to the ground safely.
3. a. Climb a tree using any one of four common methods.
3. b. Describe the other methods in detail to the instructor.
See 3.a. answers.
4. The instructor should select trees suitable for climbing; one with lots of branches, the other a coconut tree. Each person must demonstrate on each of the two trees on how to apply the two methods of tree climbing (squat hopping and monkey type.)
5. Demonstrate how you would safely carry a bush knife and an axe up a tree.
First, you DO NOT carry sharp objects up a tree. If you fall you will not be able to control the sharp object and you could kill yourself. Instead, tie a rope to the knife or axe and the other end of the rope to your wrist. Climb the tree. When you are safely situated at the top, use the rope to pull the knife/axe up to you.
Don't climb down with sharp objects either. Lower the object with the rope before decending yourself.
6. a.Climb a coconut tree demonstrating how you would carry a bag.
6. b. Remove a coconut without using a knife or sharp instrument using only your limbs and return to the ground with it in your bag.
While securely at the crown of the tree (standing in the crown or using one arm to support yourself) twist the coconut until it comes off.
