In the event that the rules of thumb are not predictive and potentially inaccurate for technical rope riggers, the mathematical model can be used to guide the testing that will lead to better rules of thumb. The mathematical model will be used to determine if the current rules of thumb (based on linear rope behavior) for rigging high lines are well engineered and lead to safe practices. Without the ability to predict sag, it is impossible to have a good understanding of the forces generated in high lines, guidelines, slack lines, and guided rappels. Predicting the geometry of a track line before the load is applied is not intuitive, due to the non-linear nature of static rope stretch and the large change in angles as the load traverses the span. The forces in a track line are well understood if the geometry is known. The scope of this paper is limited to providing a better understanding of how to predict sag, tension, forces, and possible hazards. Assessing the risk versus benefits of all the possible different high line components and configurations is beyond the scope of this paper. This paper is not intended to be an overview of how to correctly rig all components of a high line. Determine conditions (loads + geometries) that are unsafe.Determine if the current rules of thumb as both published and taught in the rescue/high line guidelines are conservative (maybe they are too conservative).Use the resulting mathematical model to consider a range of combinations that include loads and geometries.Determine if the method works (build it, measure the loads throughout the system, update the model).Show a method for predicting through calculation the rope tensions expected for a rescue load on a high line or guiding line.Today, rescuers and mountaineers continue to use these methods in their present forms with better materials and equipment. The original use of a rope in this fashion dates back to the Tyrol Region of the eastern Alps in western Austria and northern Italy, where people used a hand-over-hand method to travel along the rope and across the span. ![]() Guiding lines, Tyrolean lines, high lines, and other applications of using a rope or cable to span a chasm can be classified as a track line.
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