HIGH ROPES COURSE DESIGN
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High Ropes Courses OverviewA series of elements and/or obstacles based 15 or more feet off the ground, making use of an overhead or static belay to protect participants. Course can be constructed inoff of a mature stand of trees, utility poles or permanent structures and may make use of any of a number of safety systems. High ropes courses present tests of physical strength, stamina, agility, balance, and flexibility, and they invite participants to confront such emotional issues as the fear of heights, the fear of failure, and the fear of losing control. Course elements can be designed to focus on individuals, partnerships, or small teams. |
High Ropes Course Design Overview
Required staff-to-participant ratios for high ropes course elements vary depending on the maturity and skill level of the population served, as well as on program objectives, course design and layout, and time considerations. A minimum 4:1 participant-in-the-air-to-facilitator ratio is a common industry practice, although the actual amount of required supervision will depend on the course layout, objectives, and staff qualitifications. Facilitators may be additionally responsible for participants on the ground.
Belay Management Systems
The two most common belay management systems are 1) static and 2) dynamic.
Static systems attach participants to overhead safety cables or tracks via sling lines (adjustable ropes with fasteners at the end). Obstacles on static courses are often designed as traversing activities, and the participants are always required to take an active part in managing their own safety. Once up on the course, participants generally complete several obstacles in a row before coming down by way of ladder or a dynamic element (zip line, big swing, or rappel). Participants who fall are able to self-rescue and continue through the course. Two trained staff members are generally required to supervise a group of up to 16 participants. This number will vary according to course size, layout, population, and the safety procedures implemented.
Dynamic belay courses attach a participant to a climbing rope that runs to a high anchor above the element and back to the ground. As the participant climbs, one or more persons are required to belay (manage the slack and secure the rope in the event a fall) the participant. Dynamic belay courses are frequently higher than static belay courses. Elements may be vertical as well as horizontal, and participants may be required to climb up staples to access elements of the course. Participants who fall are generally lowered all the way back down to the ground by their belayers. One trained staff member is recommended for each active participant unless time allows for other participants to master the required belay skills.
High Ropes Course Options
High ropes course elements can be installed on utility poles, mature trees, or building support structures.
Trees: Early high ropes courses were commonly built in mature trees. Although tree courses require additional annual maintenance and are vulnerable to the forces of weather and disease in ways that seldom affect indoor courses or utility pole courses, they remain the preferred choice for many practitioners because of their environmental and aesthetic appeal. Additionally, mature trees with a stable root system can provide course options that would otherwise be too costly on courses using poles or structural steel.
Utility Poles: Where trees are unavailable,
utility poles provide an affordable alternative and generally range from
30 to 60 feet in height. Poles offer both convenience and the ability
to fully customize the design and layout of a course. Proper spacing allows
the additional convenience of modular activities that can be quickly swapped
out to increase the range of available activities.
Other Support Options: Many high ropes elements can attached to building
structures including load bearing walls and the roof trusses of most school
gymnasiums. Free-standing courses can also be built on steel.
High Ropes Course Design Layout
High Ropes Course can be configured in a variety of ways to meet program goals. The most common styles are: 1) Linear Courses, 2) Hub & Spoke Courses, 3) Combination Courses, and 4) Stand Alone elements.
Linear Courses: Linear courses work well for programs with high volume and the need to keep people moving. Participants begin at one end of the course and work their way through a series of elements, generally exiting the course via a Zip Line, a Big Swing, or a lower-off.
Hub & Spoke Courses: These courses make efficient use of poles and allow participants to choose from a variety of options.
Combination Course: These courses combine climbing towers, vertical high ropes course elements, and horizontal traverses. Horizontal traverses can be designed for dynamic-belay or static-belay systems.
Stand Alone Elements: Courses with stand-alone elements are most commonly designed to make use of dynamic belays. Based on the Project Adventure model, events like the Flying Squirrel, Cat Walk, and Pamper Pole are each set up as individual events to be completed before the group moves on to the next element in the sequence.
High Ropes Course Design Gallery
