Methods for Tensioning a Highline?

rbreesems

rbreesems

New member
What are methods that folks generally use to tension a high line? I did a little bit of searching, and it seems that 3 to 1 or 5 to 1 pulley set ups may be the way to go, but I do not really know. Thanks in advance.
 
Something I've been doing lately and it's working very well for me, kind of a take off from Johnny pro's twin rope technique: Base anchor one rope ( rope A) run it up thru a high crotch, tie an x-ring or a carabiner on the end. Rope B ( this will be your climbing line) is base anchored in another tree on the other side of your work area, runs up thru a high point and then thru the xring on rope A and down to you. It's helpful to have rope A anchored with some type of adjustable anchor so you can move the xring to a good spot over the work area. Then as you apply your weight to rope B it will tighten the whole system. This pretty much eliminates the need to tension a skyline.
 
chiselbit said:
Something I've been doing lately and it's working very well for me, kind of a take off from Johnny pro's twin rope technique: Base anchor one rope ( rope A) run it up thru a high crotch, tie an x-ring or a carabiner on the end. Rope B ( this will be your climbing line) is base anchored in another tree on the other side of your work area, runs up thru a high point and then thru the xring on rope A and down to you. It's helpful to have rope A anchored with some type of adjustable anchor so you can move the xring to a good spot over the work area. Then as you apply your weight to rope B it will tighten the whole system. This pretty much eliminates the need to tension a skyline.
Click to expand...

So you're suggesting that instead of running one rope as a highline, over 2 crotches, to instead base anchor both lines, run one through each crotch, and set up your climbing line as if there's one single natural crotch and one redirect ?
 
CanadianStan said:
So you're suggesting that instead of running one rope as a highline, over 2 crotches, to instead base anchor both lines, run one through each crotch, and set up your climbing line as if there's one single natural crotch and one redirect ?
Click to expand...
Yes it's just a long floating redirect
 
Fairfield said:
And then look up soft interface. This always scares me when I see guys that never been formally taught highlines attempt them. Not busting balls either, just so much can go wrong so fast.
Click to expand...
Hi Fairfield, could you expand on that a bit? The soft interface part?
 
chiselbit said:
Hi Fairfield, could you expand on that a bit? The soft interface part?
Click to expand...
Sure thing, a soft interface is a connection to the track line/highline that is not mechanical to grab it and keep it tight. So a good example is tandem 6 finger prusik hitch. They are with in reason predictable when they slip at a given lbs force applied and they distribute the grab more so then a single mechanical device. That is important in building track lines for a highline system. Think of it as a warning bell. If the line slips through the prusiks then you know you have reached a given lbs force on the system. This is better then blowing out part of your system. Now with that said, I like having load releasing hitches attached to the prusiks as well. If you need to release the tension while under tension for some unknown reason (and it happens) you can slowly under control release the load releasing hitch into another device till you are where you need to be. There is a ton of things that go into all of this, that is why I say it is better to learn it hands on from someone that has done it a crap load of times, or in a class setting.
 
There was a video with load cells showing that for the minimal vertical gain of MA on the highline, the forces went through the roof.

Is it necessary to get it so tight?
 
southsoundtree said:
There was a video w....

Is it necessary to get it so tight?
Click to expand...
That would be my question too, we're talking about setting this up in trees in a canopy correct? There is a lot of flex between trees that does help with the loads, but of course if you continue to tighten it you can overcome the flex. I did some testing with the rock exotica load cell on a doubled highline that was retrievable from the destination tree. The loads were not as high as I anticipated and the double line helped lessen some of the sag.
 
chiselbit said:
Something I've been doing lately and it's working very well for me, kind of a take off from Johnny pro's twin rope technique: Base anchor one rope ( rope A) run it up thru a high crotch, tie an x-ring or a carabiner on the end. Rope B ( this will be your climbing line) is base anchored in another tree on the other side of your work area, runs up thru a high point and then thru the xring on rope A and down to you. It's helpful to have rope A anchored with some type of adjustable anchor so you can move the xring to a good spot over the work area. Then as you apply your weight to rope B it will tighten the whole system. This pretty much eliminates the need to tension a skyline.
Click to expand...

Thanks -- I had tried Johnny Pro's approach earlier, but I think I gave up on it too easily, and your take on it sounds really good -- I am definitely going to try this out!!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom