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MrFittsworth t1_itm8qrn wrote

Hey! We set this up! It's a slackline! We have been doing this for years all over new England. This is officially the longest highline ever rigged in Maine at 167m long.

Our Instagram is @route1highlines if you wanna see some other projects we have set up over the years.

Edit: there is some confusion about an injured hiker on the mountain and our presence.

We did not have any injuries or issues! We have done this dozens and dozens of times all over new England without a single injury or event beyond a bruise or scraped knee. We rig with our own rescue kit on hand and have protocols in case of injuries in many different scenarios. We practice rescues in controlled settings to drill mechanics, always buddy check everything in the rig before going on the line.

Over the years we have put 80-100 people on highlines in and around New England (we are not a guide service, this is just a hobby that we are all very passionate about)

We aren't the people rangers and wardens have to worry about on the mountain... We come prepared, we plan, we pick up our trash and leave with minimal impact every time we go out. We aim to be good stewards to the mountain and encourage everyone to do the same in these shared spaces. We all have a right to be there!

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TheMobyDicks OP t1_itmax2a wrote

Cool man. Thanks! So you literally walk across it?

If so, I take back my church bells comment. More like bowling balls.

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MrFittsworth t1_itmbg45 wrote

We try! My friend crossed the whole line in 3 falls. I made it just shy of half way in 4 falls. We had been envisioning this line for a while, did a quick scouting mission a month or so ago and pulled it together this past weekend. We're hoping to establish another line parallel to this that's slightly shorter, and another nearby that would be much bigger!

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TheMobyDicks OP t1_itmeyby wrote

Do you leave them or take them down after? Guessing you leave the anchors in place for future use.

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MrFittsworth t1_itmfbl3 wrote

The anchors are very expensive, we take them down for the lifespan of our gear, and safety of others on the mountain.

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[deleted] t1_itnq9lz wrote

Ask Dan Osman about leaving your gear up.

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TheMobyDicks OP t1_itmcrk0 wrote

Also, how do you get the line across? I'm unable to get on Instagram at the moment.

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MrFittsworth t1_itmd8qx wrote

We tag with a drone and fishing line on a large kite reel, connect the fishing line to a 6mm polyester braided rope, reel the rope back with the fishing line, and connect the rope to the webbing, pulling the rope with a progress capture device (micro Traxion) . We've used bow and arrow and water balloon launchers in places with more strict rules on drone flight (Acadia) using the same fishing line principle.

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FragilousSpectunkery t1_itmrgvj wrote

Acadia never expected water balloons to be used in this way…

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MrFittsworth t1_itmtusc wrote

There are no water balloons! Just a giant slingshot to launch a rock with fishing line tied to it across a gap!

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anxiouslyaverage t1_itnqg6y wrote

The guy who walked on the tightrope between the twin towers, Philippe Petit, used the bow and arrow method as well! In a documentary, he talks about how he had to take all of his clothes off on top of the tower after the fishing line was shot across, as it was dark and he couldn’t find it at first. Eventually it brushed against his skin and he was able continue.

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manbytheseamaine t1_itnhzzs wrote

How do you get the cable from one side to the other?

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MrFittsworth t1_itnoodi wrote

Not a cable, it's 1" slackline webbing! Stretchy and lightweight, in this case nylon.

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