Camp | Featured

Camp Update: Zip Line Completed!

ByAndrew

Ever since we purchased the camp property back in 2011 I’ve dreamed of putting in a zip line. Finally, last week, after a lot of planning, trial, and error, the zip line became a reality.

Here’s how we pulled it off:

First we purchased the basic equipment: 50 meters of wire at the correct thickness, and the rolling mechanism that will slide along the line.
Then we extended the line between two sturdy trees on either side of the swimming area, with a decent (but not exaggerated) downward slope.

One problem we had to solve was how to bring the pulley back once someone had gone down the zip line. Claudio, our camp maintenance man, came up with the ingenious system shown in the video below.

Our biggest challenge was how to slow down a rider’s descent so that they end up in the river, and not in the trees beyond. We settled on a brake system using a type of block mounted on pulley wheels, and connected to thick elastic cords.

After testing with heavy, inanimate objects, it was time for a real trial run.

After working out some kinks, it we opened it up to the general public, and it was a success!

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And be sure to read the action-packed adventures of Missionary Max: Missionary Max and the Jungle Princess and Missionary Max and the Lost City.

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