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Today’s rope course turned the usual “hold‑on‑tight” mantra into a full‑blown symphony of knots, hoists, and hearty laughter. With gusts whipping around us like an over‑enthusiastic photographer chasing that perfect sunrise, we still managed to stay grounded—both literally and figuratively.
Linda prussicking up a wall
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Improvised Harnesses – When you don’t have a commercial harness, you improvise. Think MacGyver meets mountain‑gear: a Karabiner, a bit of old rope, and a whole lot of confidence.
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Italian Hitch & Clove Hitch – Two classic knots that proved their worth faster than a coffee‑powered laptop boot‑up. The Italian hitch held steady under load, while the clove hitch offered quick adjustments, perfect for those “just‑in‑case” moments.
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Assisted Hoist – We turned a simple pulley system into a mini‑elevator. Watching teammates glide upward felt like watching a time‑lapse of a mountain goat scaling a cliff—graceful, efficient, and a little bit awe‑inspiring.
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Anchors & Rappelling – Solid rock‑anchor placements gave us the security we needed to rappel down with the calm of a seasoned photographer waiting for the perfect frame. The descent was smooth, even with the wind trying to add its own artistic blur.
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Classic Belay & “Belays” – Whether you’re belaying a friend or being belayed, the trust factor was palpable. A good belay is like a reliable Linux distro: stable, predictable, and always there when you need it.
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Prusik Loops – Those handy friction hitches might save the day, as long as you remmeber how to tie them and their many uses.
Closing Thoughts
Beyond the knots and the wind‑rattled helmets, today reminded us why rope courses matter: they turn theory into muscle memory, fear into confidence, and strangers into a tight‑knit crew.
Jane explaining the classic belay
Sean ascending a short wall
Sean belaying Linda
Bongo demonstrating the improvides Swiss seat harness
Linda and the assisted hoist
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