The Bar 717 Ranch Ropes Course contains 8 high and 3 low elements. The course is built among the trees, next to a large meadow along Hayfork Creek. The course can accommodate groups as small as 12 people, and as large as 150 people.
Our ropes course is many things: exciting, scary, intimidating…and fun. Most of all, the ropes course is a great tool for facilitating communication. Nothing gets you talking (and thinking!) like being 50’ off the ground, relying on someone else to get you down. Our course combines physical challenges with problem solving exercises to push participants beyond their ‘comfort zone’.Click on the links below for a detailed description of each event.
High Elements
Low Elements
The Pole
The participant is dressed in a parachute harness and hooked into three safety lines called ‘belays’. They then climb a pole, 35 feet high. From the ground, they climb a ladder for the first 16 feet, then rungs to the top of the tree. When they reach the top, they transition onto a round platform, 1 foot in diameter. If the person is able to stand on the platform, they turn 180 degrees and face a trapeze, which is adjusted, seemingly out of reach. They jump for the trapeze and if they are successful at catching the bar, they let go and are immediately caught by their safety lines and are lowered to the ground. Not catching the trapeze saves the last step and supports the premise that “winning” is a process that requires a person to utilize all available resources (oneself, as well as the energy and support of teammates, peers, co-workers.). This event allows a participant to challenge perceptions of limitations, and realize the union between support and inspiration.
High V’sThis event is done in pairs. The participants are paired up, then geared up in parachute harnesses and safety lines (2 lines per participant). Together, they then ascend a tree, climbing 35 feet to cables called “V’s”. They’re nicknamed “V’s” because the cables start at the tree they have just climbed and go out to two other trees thus forming a giant V-shape. The participants walk out on the lines holding each other as they get further and further apart. In other words they rely on each other for balance and support, as they get further out on the lines. They eventually fall toward the wide end of the V’s and are lowered by their safety lines. This event reveals the power of teamwork and partnership, effective communication, and commitment (you cannot get very far out on the V unless you are talking with your partner, leaning in on each other, and trusting your partner for support.
The Flying Squirrel
The Flying Squirrel consists of two ropes suspended through pulleys which are attached to a cable strung between two trees 35’ above the ground. A participant is clipped to the ropes and then is lifted aloft as the two teams of belayers walks or runs in unison for a designated distance. The participant can start their flight by standing still, or by running down slope parallel to the belay teams. For the participant, the sensation is that of being able to fly—a ‘Peter Pan’ moment.
The Platform
The Platform is a wooden structure constructed 45 feet in the air between two trees. There are three events that utilize The Platform: the Zip line, the Edge, and the Rappel. The Platform is also one end of the Burma Bridge. Participants can reach the platform either by climbing the tree via staples, or by climbing to the far end of the Burma Bridge and then crossing over to the Platform. On climbing either route, participants are fitted into parachute harnesses and then are on belay from two independent ropes, each with two belayers. Once on the platform, participants are clipped into overhead safety lines via daisy chains.
The Zip Line
The Zip line consists of two parallel independent cables attached above the platform and anchored at a lower elevation to another large tree located 500 feet across the meadow. Participants are clipped into a trolley that rides on the cables. They jump from the Platform and ride down the Zip line, accelerating until they reach the low point in the cable, and then decelerating as the cable ascends toward the far tree. Participants are unclipped from the Zip line by a facilitator who reaches them via a ladder after they come to a stop in the field. Together they descend back to earth.
The Rappel
The Rappel consists of an anchor point above the Platform that allows properly harnessed participants to rappel back to the ground. The event is constructed in such a way that as participants begin their decent, they are leaning back with their feet in contact with the tree. As they descend, the natural lean of he tree carries them away from the trunk so that the last half of the descent is in mid air.
The Edge
The Edge is the simplest, but one of the most powerful events on the Ropes Course. Participants ascend to the platform and then are clipped via a daisy chain from their harness to an anchor point slightly above and behind them. They then approach the edge of the platform and place their feet so that their toes are extended beyond the lip. At this point, the participant leans forward passing their balance point while the facilitator controls the speed of their lean until they reach the end of the daisy chain. From there they are suspended with a panoramic view of the mountains and the meadow.
Burma Bridge
The Burma Bridge is made up of three lines beginning aloft 35’ in one tree, extending parallel to another tree at the same height 50’ away. One line is at foot level and is strung like a tight rope between the beginning and end points. The other two lines are at shoulder height and are stung about 1 foot wider then shoulders width. The participant crosses the tight rope bridge using the two shoulder height lines for balance. During the crossing, participants are clipped into two pulleys that ride on cables stung above the shoulder height lines. The Burma Bridge is wobbly, bouncy, and flexible. Successfully traversing the Bridge requires balance, patience, and a willingness to step out into the unknown.
The Wall
The wall is a vertical structure 14 feet high with a flat surface devoid of hand or foot holds. The back of the wall consists of a platform 3 feet below the top of the Wall from which participants who have made it up the Wall can assist those still on the ground. Once 6 people have made it up and over then the first person up descends via a ladder in back to be replaced assisting others by the next person up. Participants work as a team to get all the members of the group over the wall. No other props are used. At the start, the entire group is on the ground in front of the wall. As participants successfully ascend, lifted and pulled up by their team, the group on the ground diminishes until they have all been up and over. Anyone not climbing the Wall acts as a ‘spotter’ and cannot assist in any other way to help the remaining people. Team dynamics are paramount during this event. It provides an opportunity for both the individual and the team to notice strengths and weaknesses within the team.
Low Vee
Similar to the High Vee, except the lines are only 4 feet above the ground. On the Low Vee 2 participants stand facing in on separate tight ropes while leaning towards their partner with their hands on each other’s shoulders. As the participants begin to step out on their individual wires they must lean further on each other for stability and support. Eventually their wires get so far apart that the pair falls into the arms of the spotters. The objective is to go as far as possible. The purpose is to point out areas of trust and distrust, and for the group to realize the power of support and commitment.
Low beam
The Low Beam consists of a small diameter (8”-10”) pole, 20’ long, blocked a few inches above the ground. Participants use the Low Beam to practice balance and teamwork through initiatives designed to challenge their physical and organizational skills