What is the highline?
Imagine that you are on a mountain and you want to cross the one in front but you don't want to go down again and go back up or climb, if applicable, the other rock. What can you do? Anchor and tension a nylon rope on both peaks and "walk" from one to the other. Said like that it sounds very easy, right? Well, be careful, he has his crumb.
Crossing a rope and/or dancing on it is something that dates back to the times of the Greeks and Romans but it was not until around the '80s when the highline we know today was thought of. . This was devised by a couple of American climbers, Adam Grosowsky and Jeff Ellington, who began balancing on chains and cables.
Initially they practiced this hobby in parking lots or parks near their places during climbing outings, but later they used flat tubular ribbons from their climbing equipment and made it fashionable among climbers in the area.
Today it has spread throughout the world.
In 2012 there was the first concentration of people who practice this extreme sport in Monte Piana, in the Dolomites (Italy). There they metat 2,000 meters above sea level, sharing their passion for the mountains and adrenaline. The meeting took place for a whole week and was so successful that it is repeated annually.
What does it take to practice it?
It is necessary that whoever wants to practice it be very good at controlling their body and maintaining balance. You can start by training it at a low altitude, taking advantage of the slacklining ropes that have become fashionable lately and that are tied to two trees.
The highline tests the most adventurous, making them develop techniques not only to walk forwards and backwards on the rope, but also to be able to do tricks such as jumps and pirouettes, since It is a dynamic rope and since it is flat, it does not rotate on itself.
To practice it you need to wear comfortable clothing, you usually go barefoot and it is very important not to forget a safety harness which will be attached to the rope by means of a carabiner, in case of a fall, of course, not collapse into the void.
It must be taken into account that, when practiced in very high places, the weather conditions may be cold or windy, so it is advisable to wear appropriate clothing and avoid windy days. >
And what do you think? Would you dare?
