First day after we arrived we had a pleasure to visit BC warehouse and were just amazed by amount of the slackline gear we were faced with ... Slackline Porn to the maximum in a best quality available!! Of course we touched every piece on a display, had endless conversations about slackline rigging methods and did other interesting things slackline nerds like us do.
We went together to do some abrasion tests on the new Mantra MK II and Type-18 webbings and it turned out to be lots of fun. After setting up slanted line I had a pleasure to zip-line on it hanging on the haulbag filled with 50kG of shackle. Adding to it my weight (which is around 65-68kG) and small ring on which all of that weight was sliding on the webbings should be destroyed. Both Mantra MK II and Type-18 took this beating really well presenting only small abrasion, leading to important conclusion - the webbings are beefy and definitely suitable for highlining purposes. We decided to test both webbings further more next day in real life. After enough testing action we set up nice rodeo line and surfed as hard as we could.
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| trying to pull 50kG haulbag up on the slanted slackline ain't easy ... ;) |
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| hardcore zip-lining/line testing ;D |
After nice skateboard sessions (BTW Jerry's dad was pro-skater - that kind of explain Jerry's phenomena - must be the genes :P) we went to Jerry's and Susan's house were we had a nice pizza party and lots of good conversations - good times!
Next day we went to Nimbus Dam Recreation Area (close to Sacramento) where we set-up 73m long and 10m high 'The Next Step' Tree-Highline. The line hangs above really nice grassy creek. The spot is perfect offering nice corridor with no obstacles in a beautiful surrounding.
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| Read what is on the pulley ... Well, to late! It works great (prototype of the swivel pulley with braking cam) [photo by J.Tybon] |
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| Master Rigga' [photo by J.Tybon] |
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| Our set-up [photo by J. Miszewski] |
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| Rig it, rig it!! [photo by J.Tybon] |
It took us about 20-25min to set up. We used Mantra MK II for the main line and Type-18 for back-up. The lines where tensioned with two separate pulleys systems which makes it supper easy to adjust the tension when you need to. We had the line tensioned and walked with 7 and 8kN of tension. Jerry sent it of course with no problems at all, doing nice bouncing sit starts in a middle of the line, bounce-walking and even, bouncing-turning sit-start (which is just crazy) ...
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| Jerry crusing it! [photo by J.Tybon] |
Jordan's wrist is hurt he decided to take it easy and focus on getting some pictures and Faith couldn't come at all - she had to take care of broken car. It was all up to me. I didn't believe I'm really in shape to do this. Even though the line wasn't exposed it was still heavy, loose (as for my standards) and quite long. Although after fe tries I was able to cross the harder direction for me and send it OS on the way back. I've sent it again one way with 7kN of tension and then we had to de-rig and drive back to Lodi.
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| Finishing the line carefully above 10m long 'no fall zone' [photo by J.Tybon] |
I have to figure out what's going to happen with my AFF and the plans due to my new unexpected financial problems but I'm still positive. It was a great day!
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| [photo by J.Tybon] |
Stay tunned for more updates from a trip and short video coming up soon!
Peace & SlackOn!
Janek
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