Main Body
2. Equipment
What are common pieces of equipment used in a challenge course, and how does the equipment vary from high to low courses?
Equipment varies greatly between high and low ropes courses. Most equipment found on a low course varies from course to course and is used to enhance existing elements or to create initiatives for participants to experience. High courses, on the other hand, have equipment that can be found on all courses and is used predominantly for safety purposes. Check out the information below to discover important pieces of equipment you will use on your challenge course excursion!
Challenge Course Equipment & Knots
Carabiners
Carabiners are metal loops that open using a spring mechanism. A basic carabiner can be locked by twisting a metal bolt down to close the loop, and twisting up to open it. Carabiners are attached to ropes and harnesses as a part of the safety system used on high courses.
Ropes & ATC
- Dynamic rope is commonly used in rock climbing and is used in high course belay systems. Common belay systems consist of a dynamic rope going through a belay device (e.g. a tubular ATC or a grigri), which is attached to a belayer. The other end of the rope is attached to the climber using a secure knot or a carabiner on a knot. The belayer is responsible for ensuring the safety of the climber by using the belay device to slow the rope or lock it into place. If the climber falls, he or she will remain suspended in the air. Because the rope is dynamic and stretches, there will be a little give if a climber falls; the rope is designed to do this.
- Static ropes are used to attach a climber to secure cables or bolts strategically placed on a course. A climber will always have one secure point of contact by using static ropes in a device often referred to as “lobster” or “crab” claws. The claws are used to secure the climber to a cable, staple, or bolt.
Harnesses
A harness is used as a part of the belay system to provide safety for the individual climbing. Made of webbing, harnesses lock by using a buckle that allows for the webbing to be doubled backed. There are three types of harnesses used in challenge courses, and double-back buckles are located in different places on all three but serve the same function of securing the participant to the safety ropes.
- Sit-in Harnesses fit the participant around the waist and legs, with double-back buckles securing the webbing around the individual’s waist and legs. A sit-in harness is most commonly used and will sometimes be worn with other harnesses. When secured to a belay rope or crab claws, the harness will safely secure participants on a course.
- Chest Harnesses fits around the chest with buckles that adjust the fit of the webbing around the individual, and it secures in place at the front of the body with a carabiner. Chest harnesses are always used in conjunction with sit- in harnesses and provide extra safety if there is a possibility of participants flipping upside down.
- Body Harnesses secure around the arms, chest, waist, and legs. This harness allows for the safety rope to be secured behind the head, which provides greater flexibility in climbing.
Helmets
Helmets are used to protect participants from a head injury that could result from a fall, debris or from other participants. Helmets should meet UIAA (International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation) and CE (European Community) safety standards.
Rescue Bag
Rescue Bags are used on all high courses and contain tools that are useful in performing recuses on the course. Rescue bags typically contain a static rope, a figure 8 descender that allows a facilitator to self-belay from the top, steel- locking carabiners, a ladder made of webbing, an ATC belay device, and utility scissors that can cut through rope.
What are some different types of knots used on challenge courses?
Check out the following Youtube videos (presented by AnimatedKnot.com) and descriptions below to learn the different types of knots used on a challenge course!
1. Figure 8 Follow Through – Used to tie participants directly into their harness for climbing wall use and for outdoor tree elements.
2. Bowline on a Bight – Used with the belay knot that you will attach a carabiner to, and then attach to the participant. This is used for our indoor high static course and for our outdoor high static course.
3. Double Overhand Knot – Used as the safety knot for all belay knots we tie, whether bowline on a bight or figure 8 follow through.
4. Double Fisherman’s Knot – Used to tie two ropes together for low ropes initiatives.