cj

I'm heading to Go Highline in Simi Valley with hopes that all goes well. The aim is to set up a freestyle line to practice on. I'd like to manage to walk on it and have a couple of sessions today. That's the plan and we'll see how it progresses from there.

The battle for access to highlining spots is becoming a concern within the community, with some preferring to keep these locations private to enjoy their sport without interference. However, there's a need to address the issue smartly, considering that increased awareness could lead to more frequent shutdowns. Ongoing discussions with key access advocates, such as Jim, Kat, and Ray, aim to facilitate access while educating land managers on the activity and mitigating their concerns. The ultimate goal is not to restrict highliners but to ensure responsible and beneficial use of these areas for all parties involved.

Today I had my first experience solo rigging both a highline and a midline, which ended up being quite enjoyable, though the rigging process was lengthy. I managed to take 16 steps on the line and felt surprisingly stable, almost as if I were walking in a park, due to the absence of exposure. After several short but solid sessions on the line, which felt comfortable and stable, I prepared for what I expected to be a smooth de-rigging process. Additionally, I had engaging conversations with Kevin, a visitor who shared some pictures and introduced me to his dog, as well as with Johnny, a 70-year-old iron-working company owner, who imparted wisdom on community service, the value of hard work, and finding happiness in simplicity. The individual recounts their experience with slacklining, including the challenges of tensioning the line and releasing it without assistance. They express a desire to improve their slacklining skills and emphasize the significance of access to suitable locations for practice. The optimism about slacklining becoming more normalized and the joy it brings to both participants and observers is also conveyed. Additionally, the speaker indicates a need to learn more about proper techniques, such as the best way to tie off the line, and finds instructional videos inadequate for this purpose. The speaker emphasizes the importance of skill, speed, and safety in rigging, particularly in tying techniques. They express confidence in their work, suggesting that the most recent task they completed looks pretty good. The plan is to carry the line back and then stop the recording after a successful highline and midline session. The speaker also appreciates the social aspect of their activity, mentioning that it's cool to meet people.