HOWTO: setup a slackline using the 4 carabiner "primitive" method

[Hockey123123]

how far is the distance between the poles used here?

[csault12]

this is very helpful!



[MrAqua35]

What is the maximum range for a setup like this one in the video?

[adamburtle]

@MrAqua35 Up to 80 is comfortable. Perhaps around 100 is the max I would consider. Even at 80 feet you will need 3-4 people to pull it tight, and the tension+friction will be enough to rapidly wear the portion of webbing inside the friction lock (it will start to heat weld). I have rigged 80-100ft primitives many many times, but it does wear the webbing a bit faster.

[CuSlackline]

Is this easier to pull slack than using 2 biners with a friction knot? it seems like this way has more of a mechanical advantage?

[adamburtle]

@CuSlackline I have tested all varieties of this sort of setup (3 carabiners, 2 carabiner, 4 carabiners, etc) and this is the most efficient according to my dynomometer.

[zambina44]

Thanks man, this is a great vid! But i have a question - what store/type of store would have the materials needed? Like, the line and whatnot? I want to get started as soon as possible. :)

[siahmonkey10]

hey please answer this question.... what type of carabiners do you suggest i get?

[adamburtle]

@siahmonkey10 See the nwslackline web site ... basically any new carabiners that are meant for rock climbing will work. I often use $5-6 oval carabiners for shorter lines like this. For lines beyond 100ft you will want to use steel hardware.

[martinezsix5o]

@siahmonkey10 Any climb rated carabiner should work. Although I would go for a D shaped carabiner. Since they shift the weight to the strongest part of the carabiner. REI.com has loads of em for a fair price.

[fearthespeed]

@martinezsix5o You're right that D-shaped biners keep the load on the strongest part of the biner, however in this case I wouldn't suggest D shaped carabiners, as they will pinch the webbing into the spine of the carabiner, which decreases the strength of the webbing. A HMS or oval biner will work best as it keeps the webbing flat. I've tried both, and symmetrical biners work best. The strength of the biner usually exceeds the strength of the webbing, so I'd worry less about the biner breaking.

[breadventurer]

how do you detension the slackline?

[adamburtle]

@breadventurer I added a note at 3:45 ... basically you just grab about 5 feet of slack and yank in the opposite direction you tugged when tensioning the line. I will remake this video soon with that added bit shown!

[tylerpienta]

@adamburtle question. ya know how your never supposed to step on climbing rope because it pushes dirt into the rope and tears up the inside of the of the rope there fore making it fail. does that also apply to webbing? and i have neon yellow webbing and its really dirty how should i clean it?

[adamburtle]

@tylerpienta I wash mine in a bucket of water, by hand, with something like Dr Bronner's soap (some sort of organic and natural soap, don't use a detergent). You could also use something like Sterling rope wash. It's crazy how dirty a white line can get ... you don't notice until you wash it and it's white again!

[ThexDangerousxMind]

Thanks for the instructions, I had my first line up in no time! I used a munter hitch with a half hitch instead of line lockers and it's keeping my line flat as can be, everything is working perfectly.

[MonsterMikeMonster]

And how do we release it?

[stevnpham]

how long are your loop slings?

[taylorisgod101202]

what kind of carabiners is he using?

[bordelloftw]

@taylorisgod101202 any oval carabiners work fine. Im using black diamonds from REI. they're still in awesome shape after six months of heavy use, and they're less than five bucks each!

[dorkwithanR]

golden gardens!

[GrandmasMan]

FOUR HUNDRED!

[bordelloftw]

Do these primitive rigs work well for jumping? I'm tired of all the prefab ratchet based systems.

[PaperArrows899]

@bordelloftw i have the same question.. hopefully someone can answer



[bordelloftw]

@PaperArrows899 Im sorry that Im only just now getting back to you, but I've been using this setup for about six months now, and its working out great for me. you have to use a multiplier to get it tight enough for jumping, but im so glad i went with this instead of a prefab!

[Dankbuds421]

best set up vid on the net

[TheDavsneddo]

How much did all this stuff cost to buy separate instead of just a slackline kit

[samr2411]

@TheDavsneddo I got all of the carabiners rings and webbing for 61 bucks at rei.

[abecedarian123]

was this filmed at golden gardens in seattle?

anyways, this is a great video, super clear, great job

[graycraw]

What camera was this filmed with?

[grantnestor]

dang so i set up my first slackline using your method and i had to cut my anchor to get it down because i couldn't loosen any part of it enough to take it down. what's the trick here?

[hardrock371]

@grantnestor to loosen using this method you feed a bite of your loose end down through the top of the biner and pull down. the line will pop out and you're good.

[nomensteven]

What is the advantage of using Rap rings instead of just a clove hitch to put the biner into the line? Also, usually I put one biner at the anchor for the 3-1 and 2 biners attached to the line. You did the opposite (2 at the anchor and 1 in the line). Any pros and cons for that choice?

[rwhe423723]

@nomensteven The line lockers with either rap rings (or a single steel chain link) keep the line flatter, and is also easier to adjust/remove than a clove hitch.

In terms of the location of the 2 biners, I prefer to keep mine at the anchor so you're doubling over for the friction lock at the end of the run... it also feels smoother (to me anyway) when there are two on the anchor. I prefer to have as little attached directly to the line I'm walking on as possible, though.