all photos courtesy of Corbin Usinger

The Approach: The Approach to the Needles is fairly burly. Drive past Kernville and Johnsondale, California and up into the Sequoia National Forest, passing other climbing areas along the way (Dome Rock). There is a campground near the trailhead. The elevation is about 10,000 ft. and you have to hike 3 miles in to the Needles lookout. From here scramble down the backside talus slopes for about another mile or so.

Shawn Snyder on the 60 footer, Slackline Brothers Inc. © 2006

Wow! This place is highline central! There are currently 3 lines at this formation, and they are all burly!

Approach: Cave Corridor is located at the Ryan Mountain trailhead in Joshua Tree National Park, CA. It is possible to scramble to the top of both sides of the formation, but be careful, the rock is a little grainy.

Mark Weiner on the 110 Footer, Slackline Brothers Inc. © 2006

The Rostrum fomation in Yosemite National Park is currently the largest highline court, with 4 different rigging options! Ranging from 20 to 110 feet long, there is a line for everybody!

Approach: From Yosemite Valley, drive out towards Wawona (Highway 41). Once you pass the tunnel shortly after leaving the valley, there will be a pullout to park at. From here hike towards the cliff and locate the Rostrum.

The Approach: This line is located between the North and South Astro Dome formations in Joshua Tree National Park, CA.

The Rigging: Beta coming soon...

Astro Domes line - 130 ft. long ~200 feet off the deck

First walk: Corbin Usinger in 11/05 (bolts courtesy Shawn Snyder)

Dylan Buffington at the Doghole, Moab, UT, all photos courtesy of Chris Tota.

Gemini Bridges

The Approach: Gemini Bridges are located near Moab, Utah. To drive there, take the 191 northwest to the 313 west, then follow the jeep road back ast towards Gemini Bridges. There are currently 5 highlines here, but they are spread out, and we don't yet have the exact location details.

Corbin Usinger crushing the Gravity Gap, all photos courtesy Harlan Hayes

Red Rocks, NV

The Approach: There are 2 newly established highlines at the second pullout. The smaller line is about 35 feet long and 50 feet high. It is located at the Stone Wall (sport climbing area). The 100 footer is located just before the Stone Wall.

Learning how to fall right is essential to NOT getting hurt on a highline. If you know how to take whippers the falls don't even shock you. I am speaking from experience here with easily over 100 highline whippers some from loss of control, and the rest from failed trick attempts.

I find that if you are falling the best way to fall is jump out as far as you can so you end up swinging beneath the line. When you get used to this swing, you can ride it long enough to launch you into the air giving you the ability to catch the line without even a single pull up! Don't believe me? come highline with me.

If you are doing tricks leash placement is crucial so you don't take hard falls. getting caught in your leash can give you gnar gnar rashes, and bruising. If you are spinning a 180 or 360 to the left your lease will be....? on your left side.
If you are spinning right....? on your right side.

HOW TO STAY SAFE ON A HIGHLINE

• no falls = no pain and less potential risk.
  however, my moto is if you aren't taking whippers you aren't trying hard enough, lol.
• When catching the line... using your armpits may save you from a whipper, but holy crap its so painful i do not think its even worth it.
  The best way to catch the line is to grab it with both hands, and hook your feet as you fall. There is only one flaw to this strategy
• if you do fall, and you try to catch the line, and miss... you end up plummeting straight down... ouch. thats always is an ouch.
  when you let your knees buckle, bend down only to miss the line, and fall straight down directly below the line; I think those can be the worst whippers. I have seen someone fall straight down with the line in between her legs (another huge NONO) and flip head over heels around 5 times. Think of an utterly out of control cart wheel. No fun.
• the last thing to avoid is NOT trying a highline because your scared of falling. Falling is scary, and you have to get used to it. You can't pick up a guitar and just start playing little wing, it doesn't work like that. You need to practice walking, and you need to practice falling. The worst thing you can do is NOT get out there and try.

But remember to be safe, and always double check your double checkings.