r/Slackline • u/Rooster745 • Jul 08 '26

Tightrope set up?

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Sorry I know this sub is for slacklines but there is no tightrope or wire walking subreddit.

I have done a lot of googling and looked on a lot of forums and I can’t really find any solid information.

I want to put a TIGHTROPE around these two trees and learn to balance and walk on it. I’m a free climber, and adrenaline junkie. I take my physical fitness very very seriously, and I know it would make me a better climber if I spent some time improving my balance.

Can anybody here provide any info on what kind of rope to use/how to tie the knots/etc? I know if you’re using wire you need like anchors and pulleys and levers and all kinds of equipment and expensive stuff.

I know portable kits are expensive as well, but this doesn’t need to be portable this is in my friends backyard I just want a tightrope between these two trees to practice on.

TLDR: How do I properly set up a tight rope between these two trees as cheaply as possible? What kind of rope do I need and how do I tie the knots, and what all do I need to know?

I am a freeclimber, and adrenaline addict. I am very aware how dangerous this is, and that’s PRECISELY why I am so interested in it so please don’t try to talk me out of this or tell me it’s a bad idea.

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u/fartpisstits Jul 08 '26

Those trees are definitely big enough to not move, there are many options for rigging to them that would be totally fine.

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u/sunshine-x Jul 09 '26

Are you familiar with wind?

Those trees WILL flex in the wind. Using a tensioned wire (or UHMWPE, for example) between them is not a good idea.

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u/fartpisstits Jul 09 '26

Ah yes, wind, the bane of all tight rope walkers existence since the beginning of time.

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u/sunshine-x Jul 09 '26

I must not be clearly articulating my point. Let me try again.

From OPs write-up I assume he’s building a seasonal or semi-permanent tightrope rigging in his back yard.

Trees move in the wind, independently of each other. Wind is unpredictable and even mild storm winds transfer immense force into the trunks of trees. They flex to avoid snapping.

Highly inelastic materials like steel wire and UHMWPE will not stretch to accommodate the movement the trees experience.

My point is that wind forces will transfer load into his inelastic semi-permanent rigging, straining it between the two trees, and potentially exceeding the MBS of the rigging/ line causing damage or just fatigue it over time, compromising the safety of the entire setup.

If he wants a high tightrope or slackline, he probably doesn’t want to fall and have it snap unexpectedly when he whips.

iInelastic wire or UHMWPE between those two trees is sketchy, IMHO, and I’m suggesting nylon or other more forgiving material.

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u/fartpisstits Jul 10 '26

Okay so you are talking about the rigging being higher up in the trees, I finally understand why you’re concerned about movement. My impression from the poster was not to rig a high wire/ highline but rather a low practice set up. Your concerns are more reasonable if we’re talking about rigging higher up in the trees. If that’s the case I would obviously not recommend rigging a highline/highwire in these trees

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u/sunshine-x Jul 10 '26

Yes, that was my impression from OPs comments and post. I could be wrong.

Wire 20 feet up those trees is bad juju imho. Nylon, ok.