Surfin' in the Trees

[DJ Meding]

Just posted a new picture to the Flatlands chapter gallery. Can anyone out there tell me the proper way to rig this.
Dave

[rcwild]

http://www.canyoneering.net/content/plugins/p17_image_gallery/images/410.jpg

Howdy Dave

The photo illustrates a ropes course "high" element. I've never set up this particular one, but it has three components: (1) the track on which the skate board is suspended by pulleys, (2) the handrails she is using to pull herself across, and (3) a running belay, consisting of a tether from her harness with a pulley at the end that is riding along the red rope.

The track could be cable or rope. If cable, it is probably 5/16 galvanized aircraft cable, overlapping ends swaged together, then held in place on the trees with staples and/or the wood cross-pieces bolted to the trees. If it is cable, the pulleys should be steel. If the track is rope, it is probably 7/16 static, tied around the trees and held in place with staples and/or the wood cross-pieces. If it is rope, the pulleys can be steel or aluminum.

The handrails are rope, tied around the trees and held in place with staples and/or the wood cross-pieces. The handrails provide means of movement only and are not integral parts of the safety system.

The red running belay rope appears to be tied to the tree using a "high strength tie-off", aka "no-knot tie-off". The rope is wrapped around the tree several times, then the tail is tied around, not to, the main rope with a figure eight follow-through. The holding power comes from the friction of rope against tree. Because there is no tension on a knot, there is virtually no strength loss in the rope. Considering potential vector forces, the running belay rope should include a droop of about 10%; if span is 20 feet, rope should droop about 2 feet in the middle. The pulley on the running belay rope can be steel or aluminum, but must be intended for life safety.

[DJ Meding]

Rich,
The inquiry was pure sarcasm but thanks for the tech info anyway. This was only one small part of a large assortment of traveses between treetops in a park outside of Hull, Quebec, Canada. Here is a link to the park. http://www.aventurelafleche.ca/fr/index.php

Was there last week as part of my visit to the in-laws in Ontario. Numerous zip lines, some 300+ft, plus foot bridges, swings, tunnels, tight lines all suspended amoung the trees of the forest. There is also a cave tour located in the park. Worth the trip if anyone gets up that way.

Dave