Submitted by TheMobyDicks t3_yceuns in Maine
Yeah, check it out. That's a human you see when you zoom in. These crazy bastards rigged a line between peaks and then went across. Balls as big as church bells, I tells ya.
Comments
TheMobyDicks OP t1_itmax2a wrote
Cool man. Thanks! So you literally walk across it?
If so, I take back my church bells comment. More like bowling balls.
MrFittsworth t1_itmbg45 wrote
We try! My friend crossed the whole line in 3 falls. I made it just shy of half way in 4 falls. We had been envisioning this line for a while, did a quick scouting mission a month or so ago and pulled it together this past weekend. We're hoping to establish another line parallel to this that's slightly shorter, and another nearby that would be much bigger!
TheMobyDicks OP t1_itmeyby wrote
Do you leave them or take them down after? Guessing you leave the anchors in place for future use.
MrFittsworth t1_itmfbl3 wrote
The anchors are very expensive, we take them down for the lifespan of our gear, and safety of others on the mountain.
[deleted] t1_itnq9lz wrote
Ask Dan Osman about leaving your gear up.
TheMobyDicks OP t1_itmcrk0 wrote
Also, how do you get the line across? I'm unable to get on Instagram at the moment.
MrFittsworth t1_itmd8qx wrote
We tag with a drone and fishing line on a large kite reel, connect the fishing line to a 6mm polyester braided rope, reel the rope back with the fishing line, and connect the rope to the webbing, pulling the rope with a progress capture device (micro Traxion) . We've used bow and arrow and water balloon launchers in places with more strict rules on drone flight (Acadia) using the same fishing line principle.
TheMobyDicks OP t1_itme7ky wrote
Fascinating.
FragilousSpectunkery t1_itmrgvj wrote
Acadia never expected water balloons to be used in this way…
MrFittsworth t1_itmtusc wrote
There are no water balloons! Just a giant slingshot to launch a rock with fishing line tied to it across a gap!
anxiouslyaverage t1_itnqg6y wrote
The guy who walked on the tightrope between the twin towers, Philippe Petit, used the bow and arrow method as well! In a documentary, he talks about how he had to take all of his clothes off on top of the tower after the fishing line was shot across, as it was dark and he couldn’t find it at first. Eventually it brushed against his skin and he was able continue.
jackcat1983 t1_ito7tnd wrote
You folks sound amazing and I'm intrigued!
manbytheseamaine t1_itnhzzs wrote
How do you get the cable from one side to the other?
MrFittsworth t1_itnoodi wrote
Not a cable, it's 1" slackline webbing! Stretchy and lightweight, in this case nylon.
AppexRedditor t1_itltlfx wrote
You can see their balls from here!
Bywater t1_itm5fjs wrote
That looks like so much fun, I was a scout swimmer in the suck and we used it to cross water all the time. That said, that coil of cordage must have been the size of a people cause that is a long ass ways...
TheMobyDicks OP t1_itmacg6 wrote
My buddies and I were trying to figure out how they got it up there. No way they could have hoisted it through the trees, so we're thinking maybe an air cannon of some sort. We were at the top watching them use a rope to pull across, what looked to be a cable. Still scratching our heads about it.
hike_me t1_itluaet wrote
Tyrolean Traverse
MrFittsworth t1_itm7vj9 wrote
I was one of the people who set this up. It's a slackline (highline)
hike_me t1_itm9aoz wrote
Isn’t a Tyrolean traverse basically a slack line where the person hangs from it and uses it to traverse between two high points? This picture looks like a textbook example of a Tyrolean Traverse.
I’ve built high lines for SAR, which are similar but we use pulleys to build mechanical advantage to move the load, and we have a Petzl kootenay carriage attached to the ropes with a litter hanging from it.
MrFittsworth t1_itma0vx wrote
Tyrolean traverse is rope and pulleys with much, much less burly anchors and forces on each anchor point. This is for walking on, flat webbing, much stretcher and is built with the purpose of whipping all over repeatedly while attempting to walk. While they appear similar, they are very different in form and function. The only reason this person is underneath is because we had just finished rigging and they were coming from one side to the other with gear, using what would be a slackline specific Tyrolean device to make the process easier.
dogsandpeaceohmy t1_itnqenf wrote
If I had gold I’d give it to you. Thank you for taking the time to explain this so well. Super cool and zero way you’d catch me doing this lol. Do you have pictures that you can share?
MrFittsworth t1_itnqs1m wrote
Check out our Instagram @route1highlines
We'll be posting some pictures from this weekend and a few other events we put together this summer! Thanks!
hike_me t1_itmb425 wrote
So the picture is basically someone using your slack line as a Tyrolean Traverse.
For our SAR high lines and Tyrolean travers setups, we use a pair of tensioned low stretch 11mm ropes, since we’re not building them to take whippers on!
TheMobyDicks OP t1_itlv2oj wrote
Just looked it up. Math checks out. Gracias!
Rhody1964 t1_itnwita wrote
Like Tumbledown isn't exciting enough. This is so cool.
BarbarossaTheGreat t1_itpzanb wrote
Wow that’s awesome! This is right behind my house!
Samanthamarcy t1_itoi1iw wrote
Incredible! What are the safety measures if you fall? Like, connected by carabiner and rope? My kid has a slack line 2’ off the ground that’s like 8’ long and I fall 75 times. Also!! Where on earth do you find a line this long??!
FreedomXFromme t1_itpqbbg wrote
But why
TheMobyDicks OP t1_itrb9hx wrote
Obviously I can't speak for those guys, but I'm betting they would say, "Cause it's there."
jebediah999 t1_itsq21i wrote
yeah right? half the fun shit anyone does a glorified excuse to hang with friends and do something essentially useless. why go 50 mph across a frozen lake on a sled? strap slabs of wood on your feet and slide down a hill? or go off road in a Jeep? people enjoy doing all kinds silly things. just be cool.
whogivesashart t1_itm8qf9 wrote
Ruining the view for everyone. Cut the shit.
TheMobyDicks OP t1_itmaq1e wrote
Pretty confident it's not permanent. We saw 'em Saturday, so we figure they probably did it for the weekend. Someone got hurt (not one of those guys) and we passed several wardens and rescue people going up to the lake portion, so if it was illegal or something, I'm pretty sure the wardens would do something about it. Doubt very highly it's illegal.
IamSauerKraut t1_itmcsel wrote
Wasting the time of the wardens with that stupid shit. Wardens should bill them for the resources used, including the value of their time.
Too bad their brains are not nearly half as big as their "balls."
TheMobyDicks OP t1_itme0k0 wrote
No dude. The rescue and wardens were for some kid who twisted an ankle. That's what the guy running the ambulance said. There was a school group, too, that was having issues. One girl was wearing crocs. I couldn't believe it.
BTW, remember this?
I think they should get billed for the chopper, personally.
weakenedstrain t1_itme6ki wrote
OP said “not one of those guys.” Sounds like a regular hiker got hurt.
No updates on the relative size of the hikers balls and brains.
whogivesashart t1_itmcz8v wrote
Didn't think it was illegal. It's just selfish showmanship.
Subject_Painter_2082 t1_itmlucc wrote
Boo! Go home boomer, your feelings are hurt by something that had literally zero affect on your life or anyone you know.
whogivesashart t1_itn88ij wrote
I'm not a boomer. I just want people to leave nature alone. And that includes the views.
a_pirate_life t1_itnf9ze wrote
I bet you think Yosemite should ban climbing, or that backcountry skiing should be illegal?
Bring your shit take deeper into the woods if you can't handle sharing them with people that are way cooler than you.
DidDunMegasploded t1_itn8nsq wrote
Let people slackline, boomer. It's fun. Mr. Fittsworth and his crew aren't harming the animals or the trees.
Go back to shaking your cane at "them kids these days".
tehmightyengineer t1_itmu9uc wrote
Okay, Karen.
Rick_Deez_Nutz t1_itnlng9 wrote
What view did this ruin? Have you ever hiked Tumbledown? This doesn’t ruin the view any more than any of the other people who enjoyed the mountain that day. Relax dude, and perhaps try living up to your username.
Ok-Area-9271 t1_itno06z wrote
If anything they temporarily improved the view. How often do you get to see a slack line that long? Never! Nice mountain views are a dime a dozen in maine though.
Lieutenant_Joe t1_itppapp wrote
Username doesn’t check out. Clearly you give quite a lot of sharts.
MrFittsworth t1_itm8qrn wrote
Hey! We set this up! It's a slackline! We have been doing this for years all over new England. This is officially the longest highline ever rigged in Maine at 167m long.
Our Instagram is @route1highlines if you wanna see some other projects we have set up over the years.
Edit: there is some confusion about an injured hiker on the mountain and our presence.
We did not have any injuries or issues! We have done this dozens and dozens of times all over new England without a single injury or event beyond a bruise or scraped knee. We rig with our own rescue kit on hand and have protocols in case of injuries in many different scenarios. We practice rescues in controlled settings to drill mechanics, always buddy check everything in the rig before going on the line.
Over the years we have put 80-100 people on highlines in and around New England (we are not a guide service, this is just a hobby that we are all very passionate about)
We aren't the people rangers and wardens have to worry about on the mountain... We come prepared, we plan, we pick up our trash and leave with minimal impact every time we go out. We aim to be good stewards to the mountain and encourage everyone to do the same in these shared spaces. We all have a right to be there!