Hey, I'm wanting to build a rope bridge to go over my creek and to my pond, but I'm not finding any plans or instructions on construction of such a project. Not a rope bridge like the military uses for training, but the rope+plank bridge like Indiana Jones had to cross in Temple of Doom. Looking at one at our local zoo, it doesn't appear that difficult, but I'd imagine you could easily screw up securing the boards with the rope. So, has anyone done this, seen this done, or know where I can get any plans for doing this?

Here's kind of what I'm referring to. There's really not very many good pictures out there of these bridges either. Like this picture, for instance, looks like it has metal handrails. I want exclusively rope and wood construction.

Omaha, how many feet long will it be?

Not sure yet, honestly. I need to take a walk around to find the best location, but I'd guess it could end up being anywhere from 20 to 50 feet. I'd like it to be shorter than that, but I don't want to drop it lower in fear of it being washed out by a flood.

You have probably seen this thread for some general ideas. I will check this thread at midnight when I come back to work tonight, and if no one has come up with anything, I will scour the internet for some plans for you.
http://www.thetreehouseguide.com/bridges.htm

I had thought of doing the same thing when I built my pond. Only I was going to use wire cable for durability. An all rope bridge I would think would be very high maintence to ensure safety.

Iffen it was mine, I'd at lease use wire rope for the handrails, and slip UV resistant PVC pipe over it to keep your hands from getting greasy or stuck by any wire strands that might break. That way I could grease the snot out of it in the beginning and help keep the corrosion at bay.

I think I've seen that link before when I was searching for plans, but it didn't seem to give me the plans I was looking for. Some helpful pointers, however...



I certainly wouldn't rule out something that would ensure durability or longevity of the bridge, I was just hoping to keep it as rugged and natural as possible.



I would prefer not to go that route since it would probably look a little too, uh, manufactured for the surrounding woods. Very practical, but I'd prefer to have it as natural looking as possible, nothing that stands out like PVC. I'd fix whatever problems arose over time instead of resorting to PVC coverings.

Omaha here are a couple links that may help, the first one is from a guy that built one, perhaps you could contact him and ask about it, the second gives a brief set of instructions.


http://stevensroadtrip.blogspot.com/2006/06/finishing-rope-bridge.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_4500861_make-rope-bridge.html

Sounds neat!!

However, I suspect the life span of the rope itself. Natural rope materials will, over time, rot. Mfg. materials are subject to UV rays. Sounds like heavy maintenance to me. Of course, planning for maintenance is what we do when we build.

You could do a composite construction that could look quite natural. I think it may be more economical.

One could use wire rope to support the deck. This would be hidden by the deck boards. 3/8" Galvanized Aircraft Cable has a breaking strength of 14,400 lbs and is 1.60 a foot.

Hemp rope could be used for the handrail and web supports.
1 1/2" has 16,700 lbs breaking strength @ 4.23 a foot.

Price comparision http://www.industrial-rigging.com/

This will be fun to follow be sure and keep us posted.

Mainly with pictures.

Didn't get a chance to look for a good spot today (too focused on the pond ;)), but I'll be sure to provide updates (with pictures of course) as it comes along.

Took the time to 'scout' a good location for the proposed rope bridge and think I found it. We will obviously have excess dirt from the pond dig and I think I have a good place for it.

Pardon the crudeness of the drawing, I literally drew it up in a matter of minutes.



What do you think?

So the reason for the rope bridge is convenience, especially for those possibly a little less 'outdoorsy'. The current crossing of the creek is relatively steep banks down and up across the creek, either driving (usually need 4x4) or walking. So while there will be some hiking to get to the pond, it will at least be a level walk.

I'd love to contact the guy who built that rope bridge, but it doesn't offer an email or way of contact on that site. Do you know him?

It looks good to me but I would angor the ends as far from the edges as you can.

I believe I would want the end in natural dirt, not built up excess dirt.

Yeah, I'll do that. I didn't mean to make it look like it's right on the edge in the picture.



Ideally, yes, but I don't think I have another option. The 2 separate banks are so dissimilar. I have to build one of them up. We'll be sure to compact them.

It could work but you had better firmly anchor it into natural soils or big trees.

If you get a chance be sure and send us some pictures.

Definitely will be taking some pictures. It's not going to be nearly as far across as I once thought, so it shouldn't be too much trouble getting it started once we get that bank raised up and compacted. There is a good sized tree right there so we can use that as an anchor as well.

Omaha, I'm sure no engineer and maybe some of our resident engineers will grant us their opinion here, but IMHO looking at your drawing it looks like you'll want to 1)Sink the posts on the East side into native soil 2)Use a dead-man pipe sunk further East of your uprights and tie-in to the tops of the East uprights with either pipe or cable to these aformentioned dead-man...du