This has to be one of the coolest parts of the whole challenge course! Most ziplines consist of a static cable fixed at both ends. The participant hooks to the line and zips down. At the bottom, a ladder is often rolled out so that the participant can dismount. As if that experience were not enough, ATI has installed for us a zipline that automatically lowers itself as a participant zips down it’s length. Before the participant has had time to fully comprehend it, he/she is standing safely on the ground!

By all regards, the Odyssey Course is an impressive structure. In length, height and aesthetics, the creation is formidable. The real strength of the design however, does not lie in its intimidation power, but rather in its function. From the standpoint of facilitation and teambuilding, the Odyssey course is a real workhorse. Typically speaking, high course experiences tend to be more individualistic in nature. While individual growth is not a bad thing, it often falls short of the team/group development goals. The Odyssey solves this problem by creating a massive structure that allows small groups to problem solve and overcome obstacles as a team – 40 feet above the ground!

Last week (although a short week because of the holiday) was an exhausting and busy one. As the title suggests, The guys from Alpine Towers were putting the final touches on the course. I got my first view from the top of the Odyssey course, as well as my first ride down the zipline. In addition, we spent the 4th of July with 15 very gracious volunteers chipping away at the brush and tree tops. It’s amazing how fast that sort of work tires you out!

RAIN = MUD
Henrey Wadsworth Longfellow wrote: ?The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.? I guess the guys at Alpine Tower agree. This morning the challenge course site was blanketed in cloud. The moisture hung thickly on the tree limbs. The new challenge course structures look eerie and enticing in the mist.

The first Treehouse on the Odyssey course looms ominously in the mist

Looking up at the dreary sky through the base of the alpine tower

An ATI worker installs handholds on the corner of the tower

An ATI worker hangs from a harness while constructing part of the Odyssey course

“It looks official now!” Standing tall and imposing, the Alpine Tower does (as one of our students commented) bring a level of authority to the project. Wednesday morning we watched as the ATI crew along with a crane company hoisted the tower up into a vertical position, and then rotated it counter clockwise into it’s final position. Below are some pictures of the process.

Like a giant game of pickup sticks, the fully constructed alpine tower lays on it’s side waiting to be stood up. It has been exciting and almost bizare to see the tower built sideways. Using a small crane the guys from ATI worked quickly to put the frame together. A day later the beast was fully outfitted with ropes, handholds, and lashings. In a few days an even bigger crane will roll up and stand the monster element upright.

Part of the Team Development Course

Stockpile of utility Poles (the odyssey high course site w/pole “forest” is in the background)

More of the completed Team Development Course

The ATI crew drilling for another pole placement on the low course

The challenge course construction is moving right along! As the pictures show, the site is starting to look like a challenge course. It is very exciting to see some structures and elements being assembled. In addition there is a veritable forest of utility poles sunk deep into the ground waiting their turn for construction.

After much prepartion and waiting, the construction on the challenge course structures have begun. The builders from Alpine Towers are busy at work and already there are poles in the ground. Here are some pictures of the construction.