Kootenay highline

This highline system uses only one track line, a low stretch 11-mm rope. The tag
lines, low stretch 11-mm ropes, are used as belay lines. Figure 4-13 (see
Reference 4-5) illustrates the rigging for the track line and tag lines at the anchors
on each side.

The track line is tensioned with a 2:1 MA that is attached to the rope with tandem
triple-wrapped Prusiks. Use only ONE person to pull for tensioning without a
load. Failure to follow this rule could overstress the track line when a load is on
the line. With a rescue load hanging from the track line, up to a total of six
persons may be used with a 2:1 MA to tension the track line. The tension should
be backed off when it is not needed any more to clear obstructions.

The maximum practical length of this highline is 300 feet.

The tag lines are connected to the anchor with tandem triple-wrapped Prusiks and
a brake bar on one side and a 2:1 MA on the other side. The two tag lines are
attached to the pulley with triple-wrapped Prusiks and a figure-eight. Figure 4-14
(see Reference 4-5) illustrates the rigging. The pulley should be a Kootenay
pulley with three holes to attach the stretcher and the two tag lines or a two-inch
pulley with a rigging ring or plate clipped into the pulley with a locking
carabiner. Each tag line must be secured like a belay line. A person on each end
must operate the belay system in complete coordination with each other to make
sure that there is never any slack in either tag line.
Figure 4-13. Kootenay Highline System

Figure 4-14. Kootenay Highline Rigging

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REFERENCES

4-1. Kenneth N. Laidlaw: "Considerations for Technical Rope Rescue and

Introduction of TAC Rope Kit." 11/20/96, www.basarc.org

4-2. John Dill: "Are You Really on Belay?" Response, Summer and Fall 1990

4-3. Padgett, A. and Smith, B. (1998) On Rope: North American Vertical Rope
Techniques for Caving, Search & Rescue, and Mountaineering. Huntsville,
Alabama: National Speleological Society.

4-4. Reed Thorne: "Offsetting The Technical Evacuation" 1997 North American
Technical Rescue Symposium.

4-5. Rick Lipke: Technical Rescue Riggers Guide. Conterra Technical Systems
Inc. 1997

4-6. May, W. G. (1973) Mountain Search & Rescue Techniques. Boulder,

Colorado: Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Inc. 301 pp.

4-7. Setnika, Tim J. (1980) Wilderness Search & Rescue. Boston: Appalachian
Mountain Club.

4-8. Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, Sixth Edition, 1998. The
Mountaineers. Edited by Don Graydon and Kurt Hanson

4-9. Vines & Hudson (1989) High Angle Rescue Techniques. NASAR.

4-10. CMC Rope Rescue Manual.

4-11. Steve Hudson: Myths and Urban Legends of Rope and Prusik Cord
Selection for Rescue. North American Technical Rescue Symposium, Long
Beach, CA, November 1997

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