How to get to the Kennedy Course: (Use the Upper Map: SHOULD NOT be taking you to Stoughton, Park in front of the pavilion on Lamplighter Way and take the gravel path through the trees)
How to get to the ALPs Course: (Use the Lower Map: SHOULD be taking you to Stoughton, Park all the way in the back of the parking area on the left side of the building, walk along the fence to get the course)
See the videos below to watch step by step instructions in order to learn how to tie the necessary knots every facilitator needs to know.
Timestamps for different knots:
Super 8 @ 0:02
Stopper knot @ 4:10
Killick hitch @ 6:39
There are 3 main parts to the belay team which can be memorized by the acronym ABC.
A is for Anchor: The Anchor holds onto the back of the harness of the ALPs Facilitator that is the Belayer
B is for Backup Belayer: The Backup Belayer holds onto the end of the rope with both hands, with a nice curve in the rope, and is there to help brake if needed
C is for Coiler: The Coiler gathers the extra rope that both the Belayer and Backup Belayer have discarded in order to prevent tripping. NOTE the Coiler should NOT wrap the rope around their hand as they gather
Follow this link to get to the QR code for the High Ropes course if you forgot forms.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FKbPxtjRjdv-0w1yeQ1BC08LsAtw-a6NgOv2IQQX24A/edit
The function of this log is to record the number of climbs each rope is used for in order to make sure the ropes are safe for the next group that wants to climb an element. One facilitator needs to do this at the end of each workshop before the participants leave in order to get the most accurate count. The link for the form is below, it should be filled out once for each workshop.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdo8E1XDRjZCOlIUzSt4Y0B0vDBm5Wzilm0KbPikke2F1pzRw/viewform
Below is the list of activities found at the new ALPs High Ropes Course with explanations and safety concerns to highlight.
Participants: 1 climber + at least 2 participants required for the belay team = 3 total participants
Harnesses: This activity does not require full-body harnesses.
Set up: Use a standard belay set up
Objective of the element: The object of this element is to traverse the telephone pole that is suspended in the air. Holding onto the rope is okay, however it is more of a challenge to walk across without using the belay rope as a guide.
Safety concerns:
Be sure to make sure that the participant does not hold onto the rope too hard that is attached to them, as this can create slack in the system, which can increase the risk of injury.
If the participant is using the catwalk to get to the zipline, make sure there is communication with Mo and/or the LCCI when sending a person across on the catwalk, and ESPECIALLY during the transfer process to the zipline platform.
The catwalk does shake quite a bit when the participants on the zipline are going, so be cautious of when you are sending people across the catwalk.
Participants: 1 climber + 3-4 needed for the post belay (2-3 for regular belay) = 4-5 total participants
Harnesses: This activity does not require full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element: Climb the wall!
There are 3 different climbing walls: Blue, Green, and Orange. Orange is the hardest, blue is the easiest (I like to say blue is the "mild salsa", green is "medium", and orange is "spicy/ hot salsa"). Keep the level of difficulty in mind when planning for and setting up for a workshop.
Safety Concerns:
Make sure the participants are briefed fully on how a post-belay system works. It might not hurt to practice. Emphasize the pull-slide-slide motion as well as the fact that the "tensioner" should not hold on to the rope for a long period of time (only briefly to help pull the rope through the post loops).
Make sure you communicate with the LCCI/Mo if you are using this element to have people use the zipline. Communication during the transfer is SUPER important.
The wall tends to shake quite a bit when people are going down the zipline.
Participants: 1 flyer/"squirrel" + 8-10+ participants on the "haul team" (more is better) = 9+ total participants
One facilitator needs to not be part of the haul team and lead this activity to command the flyer to run and the haul team to shuffle.
Harnesses: This activity REQUIRES full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element:
The "squirrel" will start running.
As the squirrel is running, the haul team will begin to pull the participant up into the air until they are about 2/3-3/4 of the way up to the cable at the top of the post.
The person at the end of the haul line will yell "STOP".
The participant will swing for a couple of seconds, then be lowered by the haul team by having the haul team slowly walk back towards where they started.
Safety Concerns:
Make sure you take the time to mark where the haul team should stop. This step is SUPER important for safety.
Make sure everyone knows what is going to happen - the squirrel starts to run first and then the haul team will haul.
The haul team should shuffle when hauling, to prevent tripping on the uneven ground.
Participants: 2 climbers + at least 2 participants required for the belay team (x2) = 6 total participants; more needed for Australian belay variation (18 total participants)
Harnesses: This activity DOES require full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element: The object of this element is for two people to climb up the "Giant's ladder" using only each other to get from one rung to the other. Participants cannot use the wire connecting the ladder rungs.
Safety Concerns:
Spoons not forks! Make sure spotters have ready hands and are paying close attention
Make sure participants know the proper way to step on another person's body part if the need to.
Participants: 2 climbers + 8-10+ participants for the haul team = 10-12+ total participants
Harnesses: This activity does not require full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element: The objective of this element is for two people, who are connected to the swing, to be hauled up to a set height, then released to create a giant swing.
Safety Concerns:
Hold onto the p-cord attached to the haul line so that it is out of the way, but also so that you can get it back down
Watch the triangle safety/swing zone and make sure NO ONE is inside of it once the activity has began
Be careful when catching the participants who are swinging, try not to grab just feet or ankles as that can hurt the individual
Participants: 1 climber + at least 2 participants required for the belay team = 3 total participants
Harnesses: This activity DOES NOT require full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element: The object of this element is to traverse the steps that are suspended in the air. Holding onto the rope is okay, however it is more of a challenge to walk across without using the belay rope as a guide.
Safety concerns:
Be sure to make sure that the participant does not hold onto the rope too hard that is attached to them, as this can create slack in the system, which can increase the risk of injury.
The steps do shake quite a bit when the participants on the zipline are going, so be cautious of when you are sending people across the element.
Participants: 2 climbers + 2 belay teams (4-6) = 6-8 total participants for 2 facilitators
Harnesses: This activity DOES require full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element: This is like triangle traverse but up in the air. Participants will have to lean on each other in order to traverse across the wires to the platforms.
This activity can be made easier or harder depending on how much tension you have on the climber's rope.
Participants can keep trying the activity if they fall and are able to get themselves back up (not usually common).
Safety concerns:
Empathize that climbers should be using spoons not forks when holding onto each other.
Your anchor is really important, sudden slips or falls on the wires are not uncommon.
Participants: 1 climber + belay team (2-3) = 3-4 total participants
Harnesses: This activity DOES NOT require full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element: Participant climbs up to the foot cable on belay and attempts to traverse the cable using the loop of rope and the angled hand line for support.
This activity can be made easier or harder depending on how much tension you have on the climber's rope.
Participant can keep trying the activity if they fall and are able to get themselves back up.
Safety concerns:
Your anchor is really important, sudden slips or falls on the wires are not uncommon.
Element cannot be run at the same time as Giant Swing
If a person falls, the belay ropes may not be on the correct side of the element and gear retrieval to move the climbing rope is required.
Participants: 1 climber + at least 2 participants required for the belay team = 3 total participants
Harnesses: This activity DOES NOT require full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element: The object of this element is to traverse the wire that is suspended in the air using the pre-set ropes as tools Holding onto the belay rope should not be done.
Safety Concerns:
The wire does shake quite a bit when the participants on the zipline are going, so be cautious of when you are sending people across the element.
Make sure the participant is lowered carefully around the wire.
Participants: 1 climber + at least 2 participants required for the belay team = 3 total participants
Harnesses: This activity DOES NOT require full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element: The object of this element is to traverse the wire that is suspended in the air using the pre-set ropes as tools Holding onto the belay rope should not be done.
Safety Concerns:
The element does shake quite a bit when the participants on the zipline are going, so be cautious of when you are sending people across the element.
Make sure the participant is lowered carefully around the wire and the ropes.
Participants: For each climber, 3 participants required for the belay team; this activity should be done with 3-4 climbers = 12-16 total participants
Harnesses: This activity DOES require full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element: The object of this element is to have all of the climbers stand on a small platform that is on top of a climbing pole up in the air. For a further challenge, participants can try to hold onto each other's hands and lean over the edge of the platform!
Participants can use anything to grab onto each other with except for the carabiners and the belay rope. Spoons not forks!
If participants fall, they are welcome to try again (depending on time)
Safety concerns:
Be sure to make sure that the participant does not hold onto the rope too hard that is attached to them, as this can create slack in the system, which can increase the risk of injury.
When participants fall, make sure they realize where they are in orientation to other people and the pole. Participants might collide with each other and/or the pole, so make sure you state this while everyone is on the ground.
Make sure the participants are briefed fully on how a post-belay system works. It might not hurt to practice. Empathize the pull-slide-slide motion as well as the fact that the "tensioner" should not hold on to the rope for a long period of time (only briefly to help pull the rope through the post loops).
Spoons not forks when the participants are holding onto one another's hands.
Check to be sure the participants have their harnesses on correctly and you are using the correct equipment.
Participants: 1 climber + at least 2 participants required for the belay team + 4 required for moving the beams = 7 total participants
Harnesses: This activity DOES NOT require full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element: The object of this element is to walk across the beams using help from people on the ground who are holding ropes that stabilize the beams in the air.
Safety Concerns:
Make sure the participants on the ground know that they should not be wrapping the ropes around their hands when stabilizing.
Be sure to make sure that the participant does not hold onto the belay rope too hard that is attached to them, as this can create slack in the system, which can increase the risk of injury.
Participants: 1 climber + at least 2 participants required for the belay team = 3 total participants (can be done with two climbers side by side)
Harnesses: This activity DOES NOT require full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element: One or two climbers choose from a variety of challenges to climb up the playpen. They may assist each other of do the challenges alone.
Safety Concerns:
Do not allow climbers to wrap their belay rope around ladders/cables.
Do not allow climbers to tangle their belay ropes.
Keep the belay tight as the climber begins because they could fall and hit the ground before they climb high enough.
Participants: 2 riders + at least 2 participants required for ladder team (x2) = 6 total participants
Harnesses: This activity DOES NOT require full-body harnesses.
Objective of the element: The object of this element is to ride the zipline! Loads of fun!
There are many different ways to get to the zipline. Participants can use the ladder, climb over the rock wall, or use the catwalk.
Zipline Commands:
"Zipline clear" yelled by LCCI/Mo at the top of the zipline. The person will touch their head and swing their arm up.
Ladder crew will look down the zipline. If it is clear they will yell "Clear" and repeat the motion. If it is not clear they do not yell clear and wait until the obstruction is cleared.
(Assuming the zipline is clear) "Zipping" is yelled by the LCCI/Mo at the top of the zipline. The person will move their arm in a straight arm ball throwing motion.
Again the ladder crew will check to see if the zipline is clear, then yell "Zip Away" repeating the motion if the area is safe.
Safety Concerns:
The commands are really important. The people who are apart of the ladder crew should know all of the commands.
Make sure participants are briefed on how to take the stairs. This can be done with only the people who want to take the stairs to save time.
Make sure participants secure their personal belongings (ie. cell phones) before riding the zipline. Things can fall out of pockets.
Make sure to introduce (and re-introduce) how to take people down from the zipline. Try not to leave people hanging on the zipline for an extended period of time. A person needs to be there to hold the ladder. Make sure ropes are connected to one carabiner first before the other is taken off. Hold the end of the ropes and walk the ropes back towards the markings on the fence. Ladders can be removed from the zipline area.