Zipline Questions

[NorthWoodsDiver]

A friend of mine will be installing a zip line, at a boys camp, this summer. I'm not a working climber and neither is he, we just climb recreationally. I offered to assist but this will be a learning experience for us both.

Are there any good books on the subject or other good/reliable resources, that you can recommend?

The equipment end doesn't both me, Sherrill and other sources seem to have a good selection of parts for ziplines. Calculating loads and stress is not to concerning either, he is qualified to teach physics and both of us are known to overbuild everything for added safety.

Tips/tricks/ideas welcome. T

 

[tntree]

stopping is always creative , I set up temp ones at our TCCs. you making a permanent one?

Oh yeah Insurance companies may prefer "traverse" over "zip" line

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[Bounce]

If it's going to be installed at a boy's camp, you should make sure it conforms to the PRCA standards. Here is a link to their website: http://www.prcainfo.org/. I have installed a zip line once at a childrens camp, and was appalled to learn just how complicated this can be. The liability involved with this is enormous. You better CYA.

 

[Burnham]

Ditto what Sean said. I was asked to inspect an existing traverse line that had been installed some years earlier at a local Job Corps center. It was scary how poorly designed most of it hwas, and the deterioration wasn't pretty either. I recommended removal and replacement.

Ok, fine...can you do it for us? After I looked into the subject, I declined on the replacement, just removed the mess that was there.

 

[NickfromWI]

As I read the initial post, it sorta came across as, "I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm going to do it anyways." I love it! I am that way when it comes to some things, too!

Be careful, though. You are dealing with a camp. That means, money, parents, and lawyers. I would also familiarize myself with the Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT). http://www.acctinfo.org/

Guidelines I use for building:

1. No brakes. Rely on cable angle to bring the zipper to a stop. If the zipper has to brake to cause the stop...what if they don't? Zippers can't be relied on to do anything.
2. You will have a pulley on the cable. Don't clip the zipper to the pulley. Use a tether long enough that the zipper can't reach the pulley. If they can reach, they can burn something or break something. If you tell them to keep their hands off, you are again relying on them to listen and follow directions. See Rule #1.
3. Back up your zipline anchor somehow. There are a variety of ways to do it.
4. Make the zipline platform bigger than you think it should be.

Bring back pictures!

love
nick

 

[NickfromWI]

After watching TNTREE's vid, I'd like to add the rule, "Make sure the helmets stay on!"

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

As I read the initial post, it sorta came across as, "I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm going to do it anyways." I love it! I am that way when it comes to some things, too!

Your right, on this subject I don't really know what I'm doing. I have never made a zipline. I have done my fair share of rigging in the world of manufacturing though, so I'm not afraid to play with cable and the like. There is a whole panel of people who will have to approve the plan and budget and no doubt the insurance company will have to be consulted. I'm just trying to get some good ideas of gear sources and cost at the moment and pick up on any installation info I can which might help us along the way.

I do have the personality to jump into things with both feet and take unnecessary risks, but only when it's my life/health on the line. Rest assured that things will be done right or not done at all.

Thanks for the tips :-)

In case anyone else is in my position in the future, here are some links I found last night:

http://www.adventureropegear.com/cart/index.php?cPath=49

http://www.ziplinegear.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r0pROzHY5M