Facilitator's Corner - All Comments

re: Putting the challenge course to bed for winter

Dan — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:21:12 GMT

now i know how to clean a rope. excellent post my friend hope to see more!

re: Putting the challenge course to bed for winter

Mike — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:57:04 GMT

Excellent post reminding all challenge course owners to maintain and store all equipment properly. Because we are in Texas we don't shut down for the winter but we do have some days where it's just too cold to be on the course. During the slower months is the perfect time for us to check all our harnesses, helmets, carabiners, ropes, and belays. Thanks for the tip on the best way to wash ropes.

re: Putting the challenge course to bed for winter

riddrtom — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:51:07 GMT

Don't forget the flamingo!!!!!! Ours got cold one year and left for a warmer winter

re: Putting the challenge course to bed for winter

akddrgroup — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:46:15 GMT

Chris,

Great post! An essential part of our program is the "take down" and subsequent "hanging" of equipment. Two major points here. First, as we're talking winter, the equipment take down gives our folks one more opportunity to climb all of our elements and hang on a "shorty" to enjoy the view of the mountains freshly coated with termination dust. As facilitators we spend more time on the ground than in the air so any time to get aloft is welcome. Secondly, an up-close inspection of hardware gives us the piece of mind of not only eyes on, but hands on too. Things may look good 45' away, but there's no substitute for keeping "in touch" with your gear. We've not any critters to contend with as our trusty flamingo keeps a vigilant watch over such pests. But just to make sure all of our equipment is secure, we post hole our way to our shed occasionally to take a look. Although in reality "a look " is code for taking in the former seasons memories. A quick glance around our shed gives hesitation to the harnesses, helmets, beeners, ropes and mosquito eaters that bring back the sights and sounds of a summer past. A summer in which we indeed didn't have to wear pants that extended below the knee. May winter have a restless slumber.

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re: Don’t Let Regulations Become the Program by Jim Grout

bhensinger — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:15:35 GMT

I think that this is a great call to all industry professionals to not forget why we're doing what we're doing. Bringing joy, adventure, meaningful experience, and growth to lives of individuals is what we're all about.

re: Don’t Let Regulations Become the Program by Jim Grout

akddrgroup — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:50:56 GMT

Way to go Jim, very nicely said.

re: Maintenance in between your yearly inspections.

akddrgroup — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:09:53 GMT

Once again Chris, you've done the industry well, very. It's too easy to get complacent with our daily routine of pulling off meaningful facilitation and one of the most important tools of our trade -the rope challenge course and associated low elements-is taken granted for. Hey, it's up, it's being used so it must be in good shape right? In this case false is the correct answer-again. We just recently completed some in-house rescue training and part of this years training was some "off site observation" of OPE (other peoples equipment). While the training was successful, I'd be less than truthful if I said there were no concerns about the overall condition of the course. Suffice it to say that the devil is in the details and a courses' condition fits the "first impression" rule. Right, wrong or indifferent it is what it is.

In any event, thanks again Chris for your insight. Your advice is greatly appreciated!

re: Maintenance in between your yearly inspections.

Jay Roberts — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:03:14 GMT

Chris:

These blog posts are great- keep them coming! I plan to have my staff read them, too.

re: Welcome to the Facilitator's corner

The Adventure Center — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:19:33 GMT

Chris,

Thanks for your commitment to adventure and willingness to share from your expertise and experience. I'll be checking regularly for more posts from you to help improve my own facilitation at the Adventure Center. Also thanks for the comments on the Slinky Traverse on the High5 newsletter. Going from point to point is hard. I like the way you tweaked it.

Tom

re: Welcome to the Facilitator's corner

Chris Ortiz — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:29:29 GMT

I really appreciate the comment. My first post of substance to come soon, I hope. Busy season in the challenge course training world.

~Chris

re: Welcome to the Facilitator's corner

akddrgroup — Wed, 28 May 2008 05:53:02 GMT

Hey folks,

I must be missing something here. This guy is the bomb and there are no threads relating to his blog.

Guess I'll just have to start something. For anyone who knows Chris, he is a very talented jack of all trades and knows a little about facilitating too. My group and I have been very lucky to been recipients of his skilled profession. I look forward to reading more about his work and the work or should I say passion of other practitioners.