Power Kite Forum

Sometimes I get an itch to try something

snowspider - 20-8-2012 at 08:15 AM

About a year ago I got the idea to set up a slackline in the back yard (I blame You Tube). I wanted to improve my abilities so on my breaks at work I've been walking the edge of the curbs around Syracuse University. I got good enough to where I started looking for something more chalanging and found a 3' wall that I could walk the edge on. 2 weeks ago I started to look for a railing and found 2 allong the sidewalks of Waverly Ave. straight up and down a very steep hill. One of them I could hop up on easily the other 4' one was a real PIA to get on. I walked the 4' one twice all the while thinking "I should check out the Carrier Dome."
Yesterday morning I walked the full length of the railing on the Irving Ave side of the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University. Did it again this morning to an audience of construction workers. I guess I'll get good at railing walking (if I dont get kicked out of there) then get back at the slackline.

cheezycheese - 20-8-2012 at 08:29 AM

Gonna call you Patty Wallenda :lol:

indigo_wolf - 20-8-2012 at 09:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by snowspider
Yesterday morning I walked the full length of the railing on the Irving Ave side of the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University. Did it again this morning to an audience of construction workers. I guess I'll get good at railing walking (if I dont get kicked out of there) then get back at the slackline.


First of all, it's a little bit disconcerting to hear mention of some of my old haunts on PKF :o

Never figured out why, but if memory serves, but I believe that security for the ESF college (south of the Carrier Dome), is provided by State Police... not sure how far their patrols extend, but their jusrisdiction extends to the state border.... best not to raise their ire.

If you get harrassed, it's most likely going to be due to liability issues. I used to engage in some questionable behavior on the hill between Crouse College and the Irving Avenue parking lot but it was generally in the dead of winter and under cover of night. :rolleyes: Oh the memories... gently faded now to "what the He|| were you thinking."

If you have the backyard space, it would probably be relatively easy to set up a balance beam in the backyard with some pressure treated lumber, cinder blocks and several lengths of rebar. Have been mulling this around for a bit for my GF.

ATB,
Sam

snowspider - 20-8-2012 at 10:40 AM

Just got back from another walk. I had to give the osifers from ESF time to finish there lunch at Bob Barkers lunch wagon before I got on the railing. In my head its an odd stew of urban adventure, using whats available, a little tinge of "its ok as long as I dont get caught", boiling in a broth of "I wonder if I can do this"
I figured someone might be familiar with the surroundings or send the little orange google man to take a look. Sam ,happy to be Mr. Peabody and open the door to the Wayback machine.

WELDNGOD - 20-8-2012 at 11:02 AM

Better to beg forgiveness,than ask permission.:lol:

shaggs2riches - 20-8-2012 at 11:28 AM

Slack line has had my interest for a couple years now. Now that I have a backyard of my own I've been thinking of setting up one. Busy teaching the kids to walk on stilts right now though. Great idea to practice on railings to help get your bearings. One if you moved to some shaky railings to give a similar motion to the slack line??

macboy - 20-8-2012 at 12:25 PM

I'm in the same boat Shaggs. In fact I've held the slackline kit in my hands many times about to "do it" but never dropped the coin. It seemed to me that I could get the same thing from the local auto shop. Am I wrong about this? It looks like it's just a big tow strap.

There was a pic on here (I'll see if I can find it) of a slack line out at NABX that was just anchored into the ground and draped over blocks or bricks or something. Can someone shed some light on how to set this up. This may be the post that has me getting into it here.....not sure I'll progress to extreme railing walking but hey, you gotta start somewhere, right?

Gibbon Slacklines

macboy - 20-8-2012 at 12:41 PM

Found it. Milk crates. Is there anything they can't do?

So is it just stuck in the ground via kite stake or similar?



macboy - 20-8-2012 at 01:18 PM

Certainly there weren't big holes dug at Ivanpah??


Bladerunner - 20-8-2012 at 04:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by WELDNGOD
Better to beg forgiveness,than ask permission.:lol:


And Stolen Sweets are Sweeter ! ;)

snowspider - 20-8-2012 at 05:24 PM

macboy my slackline is from the trailer and towing section of Home Depot , 2" wide truckers tiedown strap , comes with the ratchet. In the yard I used pressure treated 4x4 posts , the biggest eye hooks I could find and placed 2"x6"x2' "pads" in front (on top) and behind(on bottom) so the 4x4 would not pull forward or tetertotter back in the ground. I should have used 6x6 posts because one of the posts split away from itself , still holds but not quite what I like to see. Eye hooks are on the backside of the post with the strap draped over the top headed for the other post.

macboy - 20-8-2012 at 05:28 PM

Thanks SS. I've been OCD about it all day here...working, Googling, working, YouTubing, working, Googling.......Maybe, just maybe your thread here has got me close enough to the "just do it" camp.....You'll know by the weekend :lol:

rocfighter - 27-8-2012 at 06:04 AM

Pat you are the man. When I'm over this crap I am going to challange you on all these things your doing. You are a great inspiration for me to get moving. See you soon, Dave.

snowspider - 27-8-2012 at 09:06 AM

Roc this saturday is the first football game at S.U. , a guy I know owns a sign company and has a huge tailgate party on the quad. I sent word to him that I'll be walking the railing and would he like to print a sign on the back of my SU shirt that allready has "We are that good" on the front. Hopefully I won't get thown off campus before saturday , it would be fun to see if I can do well with a crowd looking on. Do what you have to do to get well ,WBB is right arround the corner and I think there is a semi-safe railing across from the Shalimar!

rocfighter - 27-8-2012 at 01:07 PM

I will be at WBB whether I'm well or not. I am not missing this one as I may not be there in the spring. We may do JIBE instead. But nothing is set in stone yet.
The rail walk sounds great. I hope they leave you alone. You could try the rails on the top deck of the Shalimar. But I bet you will get tossed from there!!