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Editor’s Letter

Contents

Editor’s Letter

BSA Field Notes - Adventure Valley - Cable Troughs - Summit Center Zip Models

‘Ode to Youthful Arrogance’ - A Story by Oliver McLeod

Built With Harmony,Precision,& Balance

Issue #4 May, 2013

The Bonsai Design Product Line

I’d like to make use of this space, available to me in this fourth issue of Progress Capture, to spend a few moments reviewing the strength and quality of the Bonsai Design product line. As we’ve

evolved over the years, twenty or so to be (nearly) exact, our products have evolved alongside of us. Originating in Challenge Courses, focusing on Canopy Tours, and having a rapidly increased focus on Big Zip Rides, has given us a chance to widen our involvement with the Aerial Adventure Course industry and progress the industry as a whole. And don’t forget Aerial Trekking Parks! With innovation at every turn (of the wrench), our product line, elements, designs, installation techniques, and engineered equipment set us apart. Let’s examine our products, shall we...

Arbor-Flight™ Canopy Tours – This is our flagship product empowered with decades of experience, featuring sweet

designs, extremely smooth operating systems, and intimate interactions with nature. Our world-class installations and innovative course layouts are sure to provide valuable Participant Experiences that will create a lifetime of memories. Ummm, Hemlock Gorge ring a bell...

Terra-Flight™ Zip Line Tours – These tower / pole-based zip lines are installed in many settings and

provide thrills for any type of participant. This is our most versatile program, and it consistently generates excitement. Though we all like our trees, it’s nice to build creative and enjoyable programs in areas where there aren’t any!

Sky-Rider™ Big Zip Rides – These programs provide unsurpassed thrills in settings with large terrain

features. With options of a 3 hour Sky-Rider™ Tour or a quick 12 – 30 minute thrill with Sky-Rider™ 1, these projects incorporate some of our most innovative features and each new project raises the bar.

(see BSA field notes!)

One of the many towers at the RGR Terra-Flight™ Zip Line Tour...

A nice view of a lovely Arbor-Flight™ Canopy Tour, featuring a Sky-Bridge, platforms, and

participants...

A Timber-Struct Platform element is a defining aspect of our

Sky-Rider™ Big Zip Rides...

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Issue #4 - May, 2013

Editor’s Letter cont’d.

Bonsai is happy to encourage the celebration of the

following May birthdays:

ӹ Haydn Boucher – 5/3 ӹ Wade Seth – 5/9 ӹ Jeff Tomkus – 5/13 ӹ Kyle Gilbert – 5/25 ӹ Thaddeus Shrader – 5/30

Bonsai Birthdays

Arbor-Park™/Timber-Park™ Aerial Trekking Parks – Our Aerial Trekking Parks combine aerial challenge elements with zip lines to create elevated obstacle trails. Bonsai Aerial Trekking

Parks, built in trees and timber-constructed elements using our Timber-Struct methods, appeal to all types of participants ready to find adventures and build memories. Now all we need is an Aerial Trekking Park that incorporates a Sky-Rider™ Tour.

Challenge Courses – Our challenge courses are classic - installed and designed with decades of experience in the industry under our belts. Our challenge courses are custom-designed

to specific program needs, combining high and low features for maximum versatility. Adventure Valley - need I say more...

It’s not only these stirring products that define us, but the craftsmanship, passion, quality staff, and innovative equipment we’ve developed over the years: all of which I’m sure you’re familiar with. As always, thanks to everyone in the field for all of your hard work and constantly being a part of Bonsai’s evolutionary process. Nothing would be possible without you all waking up every morning and making these projects happen across the country.

Listed below are a few of the innovative products Bonsai has engineered / developed / pioneered and utilized in our programs. Check em’ out, you may even learn something here today...

Bonsai Zip-Grips - Bonsai engineered handles, which attach to the zip trolley, providing ease of patron body positioning and optional hand braking.

Bonsai Whisper-Zip - Jacketed zip lines create quiet-run zip lining.

Bonsai Whisper-Roll - Jacketed trolley sheaves also create quiet-run zip lining.

Bonsai Whisper-Lines - Jacketed belay lines create smooth traverses.

Bonsai Flow-Clip - Our Flow-Clip systems provide ease when transferring from one element to another.

Bonsai Stay-Clip - Our non-escapable belay system restricts participants from unclipping.

Bonsai Twin-Zip - By designing zip line systems that utilize dual cables and dual trolleys, Bonsai’s products create a smooth, stable, and quiet flight.

Bonsai Timber-Struct - Bonsai constructs with robust and sustainable on-site lumber whenever possible, creating a harmonious blend between our structural elements and the surrounding environment. When building larger, timber-framed elements, Bonsai Design utilizes a similar robustness, building structures that are incredibly sound as well as aesthetically pleasing.

Thanks for allowing me the space to examine our product line. Enjoy the rest of the issue, and then get back to work!

ӹ John Nixon

A perfect place for adventure...

Ahhh, challenge courses... many of us dream in challenge courses these days

I bet.... Nice work...

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Adventure Valley Update

The Spring winds have blown into Adventure Valley this April as the days lengthen, the mud turns to dust, and the leaves open up over 4 new challenge courses nearing completion. Up

the hill from the courses, the Bonsai Basecamp continues to change with the exit from Hemlock Gorge, the Big Zip spool up, and the toolkit shuffle as we start launching out to start other builds.

Big Props Go Out to the Whole Crew:

ӹ Wade, Art, and the Big Zip crew for making the BIGGEST slingshots I’ve ever seen ӹ Weatherford and the Hemlock Gorge crew, for rocking the Tree and Zip Program ӹ Jeremy, Kops and Josh for blazing through the Red Course ӹ Jonathon and Stamm for the beautiful ladder entries ӹ Jeremiah and Kyle, for pushing through the belay install ӹ Dailer and C2, for making us laugh... and doing good work of course ӹ Craig for the cool ledger shims ӹ Beth for the diligent punchout skills ӹ James, Hook, and Daniel Mears for the guest appearances at AV ӹ Becky Shell and Mike Lines, for holding down the complicated logistics of three simultane-

ous projects going on at BSA, not to mention other needs from points afar ӹ Estes for skillfully handling the commissioning documents

BSA Field Notes


ӹ Nick Earley

This will be my last installment from AV, and I want to say thanks to the crew, whether you

were here for a week or pushed on through all winter long. Lots of good times and hard work. We couldn’t have done it without you!

ӹ Nick Earley

At left: A sunny day crew enjoys a break on the threshold of a true Bonsai-built gem, an Adventure Valley Challenge Course. Photographed from left to right: Josh Pozner, Ross Willians, Kyle Gilbert, Steve Osborn, and Jeremy Emmert.

Nick Earley: thanks for your contributions from the field

and have a wonderful vacation. Hope to see you in AVL...

Nick Earley nears the Cargo Net on the Orange Challenge

Course...

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Cable Troughs

Necessity is the mother of invention, thus I present to you the cable trough. (Well… Thaddeus presents the cable trough.) That said, in

order to keep the roads open for traffic, also to avoid pulling cable at night, the ‘Cable Trough’ was born. It consists of a telephone pole, twenty to forty-five feet in length, with some 2 x 8’s attached so as to make a giant Y, and a few braces and blocks to add structure.

Next, they got loaded onto a trailer and taken to their respective locations, which kept a boom truck crew busy for two days with

seventeen poles. Then spike up the poles to set high lines, install staples for trough cables, timber locks for guys, and an eight inch boat trailer roller on top, in-line with the azimuth for good measure.

BSA Field Notes

ӹ Wade Seth

Big Red, busy hauling the cable trough poles to their locations. Next step, build the “Giant Slingshot”...

From carving blocks and torqueing Fist Grips all the way to the use of heavy machinery like this, Bonsai covers all the bases with

‘Harmony, Precision, and Balance’...

Steady as she goes....

Having the poles fabricated and delivered to their locations, done. Next step, set them soundly to perform their duty...

Art standing proudly in front of a BSA-sized slingshot... Thanks for all of your hard work!

A bit of atypical rigging work in the improvised cable trough construction

performed by Cary Campbell...

A constructed cable trough, ready for transport....

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The trough cables carry halved sections of double-wall corrugated ABS drainage pipe, connected by threading accessory cord through the now exposed rib channel, and

Number Nine Rapid Links spaced with five 1/16” Fist Grips.

Due to the height requirements of the road below the “Zipzilla” landing, we were faced with the challenge of stretching the last big telephone pole. After all resources were exhausted with minimal gain we settled on a lap splice. For the readers who have never attempted a rip cut with a chain saw, let me tell you it is much harder than it looks. After two five foot rips and a little planing, we were able to through bolt the two sections together with leftover 1” hardware from the test zip project.

Upon lifting the “Franken Pole” we discovered that it acts as one, with no undesirable bending or flexing. Immediately after we had installed the mock up trough on “Zipzilla,” Tom Wagner rolls up in his Ranger laughing, dubbing it the “Red Neck Shower.” The next thing out of his mouth was “That will work,” and then we had approval. So after a lot of ingenuity from the rigging crew, a bunch of hard work, and some trial and error, we were able to create this system that you see now.

ӹ Wade Seth

This shot provides a nice view of a small section of the cable trough system. Creative engineering, sound construction, and sunshine at hand.....

Wade Seth - Thanks for all of your hard work, and that of your crew!

Fine tuning the trough...

A nice shot of the double-wall corrugated ABS drainage pipe...

Pilo measuring the clearance...

BSA Field Notes


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BSA Field Notes

ӹ Adam Watts


BSA - Summit Center Zip Scale Models

Constructing the scale models of the Summit Center Zip was an enjoyable couple of days. The first model that I made was the Quarter Inch version, back before we really knew what we

were going to build. It was constructed of a cheap foam board from Hobby Lobby, some wooden dowels, and dental floss for the cables. The dental floss was mint flavored, so by the end of the day my fingers were minty fresh. Thaddeus’ original concept for the Anchor/Termination was a 24” diameter steel pipe, standing vertically, mounted down to the concrete monument. The cables were intended to break-over/around this, and then down to attach to the concrete. Thaddeus modeled this with an empty toilet paper roll, push pins to act as keepers, and kebab skewers to represent the cables. Thaddeus was insistent on creating more of an “array” and/or “weave” pattern for the cables. So we abandoned this first idea.

At right, the half-inch scale model representing the structural elements involved with the Sky-Rider™ Big Zip

Ride Launch Tower for the BSA.

Thaddeus, Jeff, and I scratched our heads on a better option for awhile. Finally I had an idea for a Boy Scout “Coat of Arms” shaped like a shield, for the cable to break-over. This showed promise by creating a more pronounced “weave” of cables. So Thaddeus had me model this concept, but after further review he felt like visually the cables created a “caged” look around the Boy Scout Symbol (IE: Negative Connotations). So once the “Coat of Arms” idea was vetoed, we were back to head-scratching. That’s when I thought “what about an arch”?

Below: the weave being woven...

We all agreed that it was a good idea, even a broken clock is right twice a day. And so I made a little half round, to represent the arch and bingo. The next step was to build a Half Inch version out of wood, to figure out the “weave”. Carpentry has been one of my talents my entire life, but this thing was nothing more than a concept with some very preliminary dimensions. So, I started with some plywood and saw horses, and began to create a scale model of what will become the centerpiece of the BSA project, as well as a monumental accomplishment for Bonsai Design, Inc.

The first scale model, depicting the Boy Scout “Coat of Arms”... now we know what they do at

HQ all day...

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BSA Field Notes


Oliver Shrader helps out, providing oversight, encouraging smiles and

approval...

I took the time to take photos at each critical step, most of which are no longer relevant due to constant revisions. Overall though I believe that the model

accomplished the original goal. In the model, the yellow strings represent the zip lines, whereas the orange strings are the brake cables.

I want to give a shout out to Jeff Tomkus, Halo Blalack, and Oliver Shrader for there assistance with these models. But I have to give credit to Thaddeus for the design of this thing. It’s been his brainchild throughout most of its development. These days Art Heiser and Wade Seth deserve the credit for all of the “real” work. Good luck guys, I can’t wait to see the real thing.

ӹ Adam Watts

A rear-end view of the model anchoring system and the twenty cables, zip lines and brake lines,

interweaving beautifully...

The 3D rendering of what the Summit Center Zip will look like, once complete...

Photo of the Month

A great view of the completed scale model. The precision of this engineering and the conceptual designs is indeed a monumental accomplishment for Bonsai Design. The model looks so good it even makes Thaddeus’ hot rod in the background look pretty, well, just old...

I think we can all agree this is one tough system!

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Ode to Youthful Arrogance II

The first time I was offered a chance to go climb big wall I was 17. I’d been working at my local climbing gym in Northern California for about two years. By working, I mean I was a belay

slave for climbing parties, and they would let me climb for free. I had become a good friend with most of the guys who worked there despite my youthful arrogance – to which I am still clinging. I was a particularly good friend with one of the desk jockeys, Eric. He was four years older than I and had lived in Yosemite Valley for the first 15 years of his life. I had been on several weekend climbing trips with Eric over the years, and he pushed me to climb harder and to climb higher, taking me on my first trad climb and my first multi-pitch climb.

One day Eric and one of his climbing buddies, Lee, were standing around planning out their next big climbing adventure. I was closely listening in try to see if I could manage to get myself an invite. I had no idea where they were planning on going or what type of climbing they were going to be doing, but they were the coolest of the cool as far as I was concerned so I wanted to go. After about five minutes of eavesdropping, I just butted my way into the conversation asking, “So what’s the plan guys? Where are we going next?” A huge smile came over their faces, and they laughingly told me this trip wasn’t for me. “Maybe in a few years youngster,” Lee said to me. I was ready to go all gangsta on the both of them for talking down to me so openly. I couldn’t imagine what they were going to be doing that I couldn’t go do with them. I replied to Lee by saying, “Maybe I will hook up with your sister in a few years.” To this Lee open-hand-slapped me in the face. His sister was always a touchy subject. After I regained the ability to talk, I asked Eric where they were going. He told me they were planning a trip to the Valley for a week. Right away, I was interested. I was perplexed though; I had been to the Valley with both Eric and Lee before. Why couldn’t I go this time?

As I continued to listen in on Eric and Lee’s conversation I started to hear some terms that I hadn’t heard before, terms like, A1, porta-ledge, jumar and etriers. I butted in once again and asked, “Where in the Valley are you going to be climbing?” Eric responded with only two words, “Half Dome.” Right away I must have looked intimidated because Lee quickly said, “What not interested anymore youngster?” To this I said, “Oh no. I’m still interested in your sister.” The second slap always hurts more than the first, and I think that’s because you’re frustrated with yourself for not seeing it coming. But at least now both of my cheeks were red, where as before I must have looked like some weird one red-cheeked dude. Looking back I don’t know what made me want to go on this trip more - the fact that I would have never been able to do a climb like this on my own, or the fact that they thought I couldn’t do it. Either way I was determined to go.

Eric and Lee were planning on climbing Half Dome’s North West Regular route. This 23-pitch route goes at about 10a/b if you are willing to aid C1. The route flows straight up the face of Half Dome for about 2200 feet. After Eric and Lee went over all of these details with me, I distinctly remember wetting myself right then and there. Fortunately, or unfortunately for me, depending on how you look at it, they had both become interested in bringing me on the trip. To this day I don’t know what changed their mind. Maybe it was some overwhelming feeling

ӹ Oliver McLeod

The author, getting all tied up in Las Vegas during this Spring’s

ACCT Conference...

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of responsibility to pay back the climbing community for all the trips they were brought on as arrogant youths. Maybe it was because there is no TV on Half Dome, and they needed something to laugh at. I say it was because Lee is a lazy slacker and he didn’t want to haul gear (that’s right Lee!). Whatever the reason, I was invited.

It was early February, and the plan was to head to Yosemite the second week in May. We would stay there for three weeks total, one week of training pre-climb and two weeks of drinking beer and celebrating our success post climb. This gave Eric and Lee plenty of time to force me to train and climb harder than I ever had. I climbed six days a week at minimum and was pretty much at their mercy for 3 ½ months. I was forced to buy coffee for the three of us almost daily, because as Eric told me, “carrying that much coffee helps to build hand strength.” By the time we made it to the Valley I was climbing the best I ever had, and I could carry six cups of coffee at once!

The Valley is like Mecca for climbers. Every climber should be mandated to make at least one pilgrimage there before dying. Driving in you are surrounded in all directions by these imposing granite monoliths that just beckon for you to climb them. It is all you can do to keep your eyes on the road long enough not to crash on the way in. We stayed in Camp 4, of course, because it’s virtually a right of passage if it’s your first climbing trip in the Valley. Camp 4 was filled with groups of the biggest, hardest climbers I had ever met. The first day in camp 4 I met Craig Leubben, who from then on would be my idol. If you don’t know who he is, then you have some serious reading to do.

The next five days leading up to the climb were a blur. I went through periods of intense excitement that would be followed by long stints of incapacitating fear. We started on a very early Thursday morning. We followed the John Muir Trail to get to the base of the climb. The entire time hiking up I keep hearing John Muir whispering in my ear, “Why are you so afraid, be at peace with nature and find calm among the trees and cliffs.” As much as I have always loved and admired John Muir, had he been there I would have angrily told him that “I am afraid because I am about to try to pull myself up a 2200 ft cliff face. I’m only 17 and I have never been past second base which makes me too young to die. That’s why John!” However, by 6am I started jugging up the first pitch. The first day went by quickly, and to be honest, most of the time I was too busy to be scared. We reached the top of the 17th pitch by 7pm. I was physically and mentally incapacitated. I ate, drank and enjoyed the view for as long as I could until I passed out. You might think that sleeping on the side of a cliff face would scare you and keep you up at night, but at the end of an 8-mile uphill hike and 17 pitches of solid 5.10 climbing you can sleep anywhere.

At the start of the second day we only had 5 pitches to go. This was the day where I would get to do my first lead of the trip. We slept in a little (6am), devoured the remainder of our food, and off we went. Eric led the first pitch of the day, and I followed and cleaned with Lee coming up right behind me. Pitch 19 had my name on it. This is pitch 2 of what is called the “Zig Zags.” This is the shortest section of them, so it was seemingly a good place for me to start. I lead the next pitch as well, finishing the Zig Zags. Looking at the top of Half Dome now I decided to lead one more. Pitch 21, the “Thank God Ledge” begins seemingly as an easy pitch, mostly traversing and then up a short 5.8 chimney. I got about 7 pieces and 45 feet out from the belay. I was trying to move myself up into the chimney when I came off. At first I felt fine falling, but then I quickly

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realized that I was falling farther then normal. First a cam slid down the rope at me and then two nuts. I took about a 40-foot whipper and blew three pieces. Both Eric and Lee were laughing and yelling at me, and this was when I wet myself for the second time on the trip. 45 minutes later I reached the top of Half Dome with Eric and Lee waiting on top to congratulate me. The feeling was indescribable. I have been back to the top twice and nothing has been able to come close to reaching the top for the first time. I will forever hold this in my heart as the greatest climb I have ever done.

Written in loving memory of Eric Winston 1976-2009. Thank you Eric for bringing me into this incredible world that I have fallen in love with. Climbing will always remind me of you.

- Oliver McLeod


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