Anyone have any zipline plans/designs or ideas? Any potential contractors in North Texas would be much appreciated.

Here are some alternate pond activity ideas

Didn't Lusk have one of those? Can't remember.

Zipline, yes. Trebuchet, not yet.

I have a firm image of Bob's zipline planted in my mind. It is hard to get rid of the image of N8ly skimming across the surface of Bob's pond. I try, but some images just don't leave. JHAP did you try that zipline?

Bing

Yep Bing, here's the Natester zipping across Bob's pond....

Oh and no I didn't try the zip line. I was afraid the cable would snap, I'd get face planted into the shore and the broken cable would slice thorough the air killing dozens.

Looked like a lot of fun though and if a slimmer version of me ever gets to visit Bob's place again I'd be all over that.

I know a pond in Texas with disappointed leeches

Probably true, but I didn't want to add an entirely new meaning to the phrase OH SNAP!

So THAT's where the phantom 216 went! A zip line trim!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw9GeIkySk8
Me and the Wife went here last weekend. We have always dreamed of going to costa rica and then found out one of the highest ziplines was 1.5 hours away. It was so much fun. We went on 6 zip lins and I think 20 bridges. The bridges were scarier especially when crossing a creek that seems to be 200 or more feet down.

We want to add a smaller one to our property. Bob you need to do an article on ziplines. I for one would love to know more. We found out a company does sell a diy one or they come out to install but are very pricey.

Dang, I thought it was going to be of you or Wendy.

LOOK OUT FOR THE TREES!!!!!

Greg,what was the ballpark quote for installation?

There is a county park here where I work called Hemlock Overlook, they have a pretty cool zip line... I'd say it's a couple hundred yards long and high off the ground. It'll get your heart pumping!

I dont think Bob's zip line was rated for that abuse!

I however would be very interested in Zip Line accessories and options! If anyone scrounges some up, that would be greatly appreciated!

Currently I am building a monster double decker floating dock with a rock climbing wall, water slide, and diving board. I now am going to need to make plans for a zip line off the top deck.

Try http://www.ziplinehomekits.com.
Seems we paid around $250 for the zip line, including the handle, cable and connectors. But, we hired a man to build the frame and platform as well as the pole at the other end. If I remember, we had him measure and build those things in his shop from some of his existing materials. We added the boards onto the platform from some of the cedar we had milled back then. We designed the poles and platform and he fabricated it from oilfield materials...2 7/8" drill stem, heavy 1/4" angle iron and steel loops to connect the cable. Each pole has links from a chain welded to it to connect not only the cable, but anchor cables on the backside of each pole. The anchor cables are attached with cable clamps to the pole and each pole has two mobile home anchors screwed into the ground, where we attached two cables to keep the poles from swaying with the weight of the zip line victims, er, riders. Each pole is buried 42" in the ground, in concrete. We've had to tighted the anchor cables at least twice a year. We'll probably trade cables next year.
Mike, you are sure welcome to come take a look...just let us know. You have my cell number.

Thanks Bob! I'll be in touch

How does your insurance company handle it??? The last strong storm that blew through here tore and damaged alot of shingles on our house. Their claims adjuster told our insurance company that we had a trampoline on the property. So we get a letter saying that if the trampoline isn't removed by a certain date, that our house insurance would be cancelled. I don't know if it was because the trampoline didn't have the netting around it but we moved it into the field beside us.

Anyway they paid for a new roof!!!

we had a knotted rope swing from a leaning cottonwood and a telephone/rough lumber platform. it was the first project when my guy got the old sand pit (damn divorces). it was a blast. and there was a safety rail on the platform (wobbly) that one could stand on for more boost. the really good ones could jump off rail and get back off on platform. but of course the crashing/flipping/screamin from 15-20 feet on the lake side was calamatous.

mike never got an offical bid b/c company based in Montana and they do "big" projects kinda like the one I pasted from youtube. Bob great info thanks

I am slowly gathering the materials needed for a zip line. Right now I have about 300 feet of stainless 3/8" plasted coated cable and a couple of nice telephone poles waiting to be planted.

I can make a handle and pulley system pretty easy, but I am working on a way to get the handle back to the top of the stand and a good way to support such a heavy cable over a long distance (150 feet or so). I havent really researched a lot yet, as I doubt I will build the thing this year, but this thread will surely help a lot.