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Courses

Low Challenge

A-Frame

All Board
Can the whole group fit?The All Aboard is a great early-on problem solving activity, which helps individuals get used to sharing their ideas AND their personal space!!

Barrel Roll
It’s a giant fax machine and YOUR GROUP is the paper!! They will feed you in, and it will roll you out! As with most of the up-and-over elements, the toughest part is getting the last person through.

Beam

Cable Walk/Mohawk Walk
Many hands may make light work, but do many bodies make easier balancing? The group will find out as they attempt to traverse multiple lengths of cable without falling off. The trees/poles in-between the stretches of cable help quite a bit, but making it from tree to tree can be tough!

Criss Cross
Very similar to the Commitment Bridge, but with the potential of
having twice as many people up at one time. Each pair must switch sides
in the middle, or switch partners depending on the challenge given!

Commitment Bridge/Wild Woozy
A terrific trust-building activity, the bridge will get pairs to support each other, in more ways than one! The rest of the group must work to keep
it a safe journey. How far can they go? This station is designed so that a
challenge can always exist, despite size and/or experience.

Fidget Ladder
Though still pretty tough, the Fidget Ladder is bit more “do-able” than the ones you see at fairs and carnivals. It will flip over unless you do it just right!
This station provides an individual test, but also asks the climber to rely on the group for support and safety.

Four Way Tug

Giant's Finger

Heebie Jeebie/Hourglass Low

Hickory Jump

Horizontal Cargo Net
The fishermen are about to pull in their nets, and the catch of the day would appear to be – YOUR GROUP!! You got to get up, across, and down from the cargo net before the fishermen pull them in, and before the big storm hits! Also – there are sharks in waters below, so watch those fins!! If asked, most groups will reply that the Cargo Net was the most FUN experience they had on the challenge course!

Kitten Crawl
The Kitten Crawl can be a tough one! Much longer than what is pictured above, it requires a fair amount of endurance and upper body strength.
A great individual challenge, the group is there for support and safety.

The Low Challenge Course
The Low Challenge Course provides an opportunity for climbers of all ages to cross an obstacle course made of common High Challenge stations and/or Team Challenge stations that are set only 2 feet up from the ground. Instead of technical safety equipment, spotters are used to prevent falls, providing a trust-building aspect. The course can be designed to fit specific age groups, and unlike the Team Challenge course, can be used with children under 9 years of age.

The average LC course has five or six stations, but can always be added to in order to create a long string of challenges.

Climbers between the ages of 5 and 9 years need to wear helmets.
Pictured above are The Multiline Traverse, The Swinging Log, and the Bonson’s Chairs. Other popular stations that can be included in the LC course:

Floppy 2-line Bridge
Tube Net
Balance Beam
Tired 2-line
Burma or Burma Loops Bridge
Inclined Log
Tire Traverse
Heebie Jeebie or Cross Ropes

Nitro Crossing
Another popular favorite, the Nitro Crossing can be both a tough Team and individual challenge! Exciting for kids, teens, and fit adults. Another part of the challenge is the variety of obstacles or goals that can be placed on the ground on either side. Fragile boundaries, islands, balance beams, or small landing pads can be placed around the swing and worked into the challenge. Add to these a bucket of water, and a great
challenge waits!!

The Port Hole
The Titanic lives again! The ship is sinking, everybody off!! The only lifeboat waits on the other side of the porthole! Just going through the tire with all faculties can be a challenge for some groups, but to up the ante = smoke has gotten into everyone’s eyes and all but one or two are blind!! Can the “sighted” crew lead the “blind” passengers to safety?

Spider Dome
Another new twist on an old favorite – the spider’s web! With the “dome” version, the group is completely surrounded from all sides as well as above. This will require complete attention by all involved since there’s not a lot of room! They can go inside via a rope gate, or climb inside as part of the activity – either way, getting out can be tough!!

Spider Web
A Jurrasic-sized spider is about to catch your group in her web!! The group must try to get through without touching any part of it, and each hole
can only be used once (or twice --depending on the size of the group.) There are also other fun variations that can be done with this, as well as all the other Team Challenge stations.

Subways / Alligator Pits / Islands
Can they make it from island to island without getting bitten by the
HUNGRY ALLIGATORS that swim in-between? Where’s a crocodile hunter when you really need one? Using only a plank to aid them, the group must make it from island to island. Is it an optical illusion, or are the islands getting smaller as they cross?

Suspended Log
You may be able to “surf the net,” but can you surf the log? Or how about walk the log? And how many can stand up on it at once? The answers to these and other questions await all those who attempt -- The Swinging Log!!

Switcheroo

Team Wall
A popular culmination to a challenge course experience, The Wall is one of the more difficult and exciting events on the team challenge course. Arduous for the group throughout the whole exercise, the ultimate challenge usually comes at the end = how do you get the last person over?
The Wall can be any height, but 10’ is most common for smaller bodies, while 12’ gives the adult-sized challenge.

Tension Triangle
Can a close group of schoolmates make it through the final school year to graduation, without losing any of their hard won grades? The cable lengths represent the school year, and a heavy bucket of water represents the group’s grades. For many groups, simply making their way around the triangle is challenge enough! Other challenges that can be added are disabilities such as blinding several group members, or muting all or several members.

Tire Traverse
A popular favorite, particularly with kids! The real challenge lies in the group working together to get everyone across, otherwise the element becomes an individual challenge. Climbers can try to pass
each other if smaller groups are started at each end! Either way, it’s a workout!!

TP Shuffle

Track Walk
Easier to walk on than cable, but at no point along the journey can you grab a tree or pole for support! A challenging balancing activity, the Track Walk can be designed with inclines, declines, and gaps to make it even harder. With several people
up on the walk, they can support each other to make it a team effort.

Trolleys / Skis
The classic example of something being much harder than it looks, mastering the Trolleys requires a great deal of communication, shared-leadership, listening, and concentration. This element lends itself to several variations, with an ongoing increase in the level of challenge as the exercise progresses. As the group master’s one level, an additional twist can be included for the group to work on.

Tube Net

Universal Nitro
The traditional “Nitro Crossing” team event has, unless skillfully facilitated, a tendency to limit group members to having to perform extreme upper-body strength maneuvers – actions that in and of themselves often exclude group members from the activity. The Universal Nitro crossing is adaptable to any population, including those physically challenged, yet can also provide the upper body strength challenge for those “physically advantaged!”

Zig Zag
Unlike in the picture above, the Zigzag is usually designed with the boards fitting narrow-side-up into notches cut into the posts. Three boards are usually given, each a slightly different length that will fit only within certain spaces between posts. This element provides a much tougher version of the Acid River/Raging River challenge.

High Challenge

Boson's Chair
The Boson’s Chairs is another one of those tougher workouts, requiring a lot of “stick-to-it”-ness in order to persevere and make it across. For variety, the station can be built with a combination of swinging obstacles such as chairs, tires, or rope loops.

Burma Bridge
The Burma Bridge is a mainstay in the realm of high challenge. Though usually not too difficult, it may be so if it’s extremely long or loose. The longer it is, the more necessary the “V” ropes are for adding stability, so for relatively short bridges (less than 50’), they are often not added for the sake of easier operation (often then referred to as a “3-Line Bridge”).

Burma Bridge / Loops
A new twist on an old standard! Unless very long, or made entirely from rope (no cable), the traditional burma bridge is usually one of the easier challenges on a high course. By combining it with the “loops”, it becomes a bit more challenging once the foot cable drops away!

Burma Loops
Usually a bit tougher than just a regular burma bridge, and ideal if you only have a shorter space (less than 40’.)

Burma Planks / Boards
This station is highly recommended for special needs populations and those dealing with the physically challenged.

Cargo Net
The vertical Cargo Net is yet another access-type event that can be moved to any part of an existing course, or used solely on it’s own. It could also be a two-person team obstacle. The most common sizes available come as follows: 10’ or 12’ X 12” (for lower courses, or to hang at the bottom of a Giant’ Ladder for Vertical Playpen,) 8’ X 20’ (pictured here,) triangular shaped Ship’s Mast Net 4’ (top width) X 36’ (overall length) X 8’ (bottom width,) a Tube Net (basically a net-tunnel which the climber crawls up thru) 4’ X 20’, or any custom size desired.

Catwalk
The Catwalk is one of the most intimidating high elements. Trying to walk across the log without holding onto anything is a little too freaky for most, yet walking across the same log if it were laying on the ground would be a cinch! As with many of the high challenge elements, the addition of a second belay cable can make this a station where two climbers can each start at an end, and pass one another is the middle.

The Centipede
The Centipede provides an interesting challenge as vertical ascent elements go, the 6”x 6” blocks spin as you climb over them, and can be of varying lengths and distances apart. Much like a Firecracker Ladder, it can be a true upper body workout! If installed for an indoor course, where it needs to be pulled up out of the way (as in a gymnasium), it can be constructed out of 4”x 4” blocks to make hauling easier.

Firecracker Ladder
The Firecracker Ladder is another access element, similar to the Rope Ladder in that is can be hung anywhere on a high challenge course to provide entrance. The big difference between the two becomes apparent when you try to climb it…it’s TOUGH!! Basically you have to hop up each rung, making is a strenuous upper body workout!

Floating Islands
A dynamic challenge! Leap from platform to island and then from island to island. These things really swing too!!

Floppy Two-Line
The Floppy 2-Line is a most basic high or low challenge element. Though usually made easy, it can be quite difficult depending on it’s length and tension. The handline is adjustable and can be loosened or tightened to alter the level of challenge. For extremely long spans (60’ or more,) the handline can be made from cable.

Flying Squirrel
A great “team” high challenge! The group will help the climber take to the air!

Heebie Jeebie
The Heebie Jeebie can be a supreme test of balance for most. It starts off easy but becomes very unstable and shaky when you reach the “crux” (the center.) The handlines are adjustable and can be loosened or tightened to change the level of challenge.

Horizontal Ladder
The Horizontal Ladder is a balance element that provides options. For those not trusting their balance, they can crawl or slide across. For those wanting an ultimate test of balance, walking is the way to go (with no hands!!). Tha ladder itself feels quite loose, but can not flip over despite its sensations to the contrary. The wooden rungs are usually about two feet apart, but can be made closer or further apart depending on the level of challenge desired.

The Hourglass
The Hourglass is perhaps the toughest balance obstacle in the collection. Similar to Cross Ropes, except that the lines climbed on are actually all one rope that crosses between the trees/poles three times. As if the “crux” in the middle is not tough enough, the whole station shifts as you move your weight from one line to another. Though entirely possible, it will be the occasional climber who successfully makes it all of the way across!!

Inclined Log
The Inclined Log is a fairly challenging balance element, often used as the access to a linear course. It will usually have notches every to feet to make climbing easier, but for places wanting a greater challenge it can be left smooth. Most will ascend by crawling up, while those with the courage to test their balance more can try walking up!

The M-Belay
The “sling-shot” top-rope belayer driven high challenge experience can lend itself to a more “amusement park” ride quality, with the belayer routinely getting “burnt out” as a belay slave. The “M-Belay” is an adaptation that can be done to most any “traverse-style” high challenge station. The primary purpose is to get the entire group more involved in the experience, while providing an activity that is just as safe (if not safer!) as the traditional one. The belay cable can be left (or installed if a new station) for the option of using the more traditional belay method.

Multiline / Heebie Jeebie
The declining and inclining hand-lines start and finish this event (heebie-jeebie) with the hanging ropes inbetween (multiline traverse.)

Multiline / Heebie Jeebie
The declining and inclining hand-lines start and finish this event (heebie-jeebie) with the hanging ropes inbetween (multiline traverse.)

Multiline Traverse
The multiline traverse is a common favorite in the high challenge world, and it is usually far easier than it appears. The dangling ropes can be of various lengths and spacings to alter the challenge, and can be moved/changed fairly easily by any qualified instructor. Once a climber becomes very comfortable with it, they may even go across using only every other rope! A fun added challenge would be to have at least one “slider” installed, this would be a rope that can move along with the climber for a short space of one to three feet.

Pamper Pole / Leap of Faith
Another well-known event, the Pamper Pole is the ultimate “leap of faith” where the climber jumps from the top of a telephone pole (or from a very small platform) out into thin air, with the added goal of tagging a rope, cowbell, or some dangling toy. Just getting on top of the pole can be the toughest part for some! This element is now most commonly operated with a team belay, where the rest of the group belays the jumper who is also attached to two separate belay ropes for extra safety. A full-body harness is often worn to make the experience more hazard free.

Rappel Stand
Rappelling is not only a fun high challenge event, but also a valuable rock climbing skill!! It’s a thrilling yet relatively easy activity, popular among challenge seekers. At the ropes course, we do an extra-safe version where the participant also has a separate belay rope attached as a back-up. They can ascend to the stand via a number of different access elements, the most basic of which would be either a Stapled Tree/Pole Climb or a Rope Ladder. An optional feature of this station is the height at which it is installed, if the tree/pole is tall enough, it can be quite high – up to 70’!!

Rope Ladder
The Rope Ladder has always been a climbing obstacle standard, from ropes courses to playgrounds, and even in practical applications from caving to military and rescue work. Depending on its length, it can be quite an upper body workout, especially if left free moving while being climbed. In contrast, it can be made much easier if another participant holds down or hangs on the bottom while their “buddy” is ascending. It is probably the most common access course element, easily movable to anywhere on an existing course.

Tension Traverse
This station can be a stand-alone, or a modification of the Floppy 2-Line by detaching the hand-line and reattaching up higher – one end only (allowing you to have two different challenges available in one place.) Like the low version, it gets tougher as you go, with the last few feet often requiring a desperate lunge!

Tired Two-Line
The Tired Two-Line is one of the greatest tests of balance the high ropes has to offer! Walking across without using your hands is quite difficult, as the climber shuffles their feet along the parallel cables (one for each foot).

Tyrolean Traverse
Like rappelling, this challenge comes out of the rock-climbing world. In addition to providing a peak experience by hanging out between two trees/poles, it also is a fairly tough upper body workout. The climber is attached to a pulley that will ride across a cable. The first half of the journey is simple, much like a very slow zip-ride, but the second half is a lot of work, requiring pulling yourself along to the other side. A variation known as a Commando Crawl, has the climber pull themselves all of the way across on a thick rope, without a pulley – an even greater physical challenge.

Vertical Playpen
The Vertical Playpen is a highly versatile station in both its design and challenge. It can be both a two-climber or individual event, which combines four different vertically ascending stations with a Giant’s Ladder. Other obstacles could be added or substituted for the ones pictured here, and length is also variable (the one pictured is approx. 30’.) The bottom two events, usually a rope and/or firecracker ladders, detach to make inaccessible.

Zipwire
The Zipwire is one of the most popular stations. It’s an “amusement park” – type thrill ride down a cable while connected to a pulley. A back-up static is connected for ultimate safety. The hard part is scooting or hopping off of the platform for the big slide!!

Climbing

Bulge
Another form of overhang, this one starts tough, gets tougher, but once your over the “edge” it gets easier.

Ceiling
One of the toughest overhanging features!

Incline
A flat “dead vertical” wall is usually a little too difficult for new climbers. It requires more upper body strength than may be typical for someone not used to “strength-based” activities, and if there is any fear or uncertainty for someone new to being “on-rope,” a fully vertical climb is very intimidating. For these reasons, an inclining feature is our most recommended option for towers that will cater to new and first-time climbers. Not only is it easier, but climbers can rest their arms during the climb. A 6” ledge is also installed just above the incline where the climber can take a rest break if needed.

Overhang
When “dead vertical” isn’t challenging enough!

Traverse Wall