Slackline athlete to attempt 600-ft ‘highline’ crossing of Eldorado Canyon during Saturday trails benefit
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BOULDER, COLORADO (October 13, 2016) — This Saturday, to celebrate the legendary life of Ivy Baldwin and raise money for Eldorado Canyon State Park trail building efforts, the Action Committee for Eldorado (ACE) and Slackline Industries have teamed up to recreate Baldwin’s historic 600-ft long ‘highwire’ crossing of Eldorado Canyon.
“We really wanted to make a splash and help out with some much-needed trail maintenance at this amazing park,” said Slackline Industries marketing and events director Jaime Pletcher. “Ivy Baldwin has such a vibrant legacy in the area, and we are honored that ACE asked us to revive his original high-wire by recreating the crossing with a highline.”
Baldwin crossed Eldorado Canyon from the Bastille to the Wind Tower more than 80 times, beginning in 1902 and finishing with his last successful walk on his 82nd birthday in 1948. Each time, Baldwin made the 600-foot walk on a “high wire,” a taught half-inch steel cable that does not flex, and carried a 40-foot balance pole held horizontally during the 500-ft high crossing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJLBvBIoJ88
In contrast, Slackline Industries athlete Taylor VanAllen will make Saturday’s crossing on a “highline” slackline: a 1-inch band of polyester webbing which is lightweight, stretches, and will sag up to 50 feet at the center of the 600-foot crossing. The slackline will be loose under foot and reactive to wind – in stark contrast to the stiff steel cable used for high-wire walking.
While VanAllen will be harnessed with a leash connected to the slackline, no balance pole will be used for the estimated 60-minute effort. Without the pole, VanAllen will have to manage the wind and weather conditions which could change with every step.
VanAllen’s goal is to send the line on his first attempt – completing the entire crossing without a single high-altitude error.
“We’ll see how my nerves are for this event,” said VanAllen. “I tend to worry a lot more prior to events than when it’s actually time to walk. Highlines always provide a majestic environment for focus so usually that’s enough to occupy my brain.”
The event will take place near the lower parking lot at Eldorado Canyon State Park from 10 a.m –2 p.m. on October 15. Food trucks and prize giveaways will be on offer for attendees.
Tickets are $12 and can be purchased on site or online at celebrateeldo.brownpapertickets.com.
Organizers encourage attendees to carpool, walk, bike or park at the 93 and 170 lot and use the free shuttle, as parking will be limited.
About Slackline Industries
The sport of slacklining has come a long way and the personalities and minds behind Slackline Industries have been there at every step. Shaping the future of the sport with innovative designs, simple set‐ups and safety at the root of all their products, Slackline Industries has its finger on the pulse of the sport. With an international community of professionals and enthusiasts behind them, Slackline Industries retooled and codified competitive slacklining leading to a widely adopted international standard for the sport. In addition to competitions and simple backyard fun, slacklining has been adopted by the fitness community as a unique, challenging and dynamic tool for whole body workouts. For more information on Slackline Industries visit slacklineindustries.com, follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @slackind, #slackind.
About ACE
The Action Committee for Eldorado (ACE) is a nonprofit organization that is staffed by dedicated volunteers who are committed to conserving Eldorado Canyon State Park. The ACE Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from the Access Fund, the American Alpine Club, the American Mountain Guides Association, and the Colorado Mountain Club, as well as unaffiliated members drawn from the climbing community. ACE has raised over $150,000 for the park and has organized and promoted thousands of hours of volunteer time creating and maintaining trails, planting trees and assisting the park in numerous other ways.
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