Four longish pioneering poles, jute and lashings.

Ground anchor of some sort - if you do it right it is hard work.

Sacking to save the tree bark from damage.

A large tree - this saves having to set up two ground anchors.Main rope minimum 20mm, preferably larger.Safety Note: Similar regards to safety should be in place for this bridge as for a single Crawl Rope. Tip - It is better to put more tension on the upper rope so that when persons crossing get to the center, the hand rope does not give more than the foot rope, and cause the whole bridge to turn over and dump the user off. See illustration below of two ropes crossing a gully. If the lower rope is too near the ground then there is a possibility of actually touching the ground at the center of the rope bridge. It is best if this rope bridge is used to actually cross a dip or depression in the ground so that access to the lower foot rope is not too high a step up. Process across the rope bridge by standing on the lower rope and shuffling across whilst holding onto the upper rope. The ropes should be positioned apart by about the distance from foot to shoulder of the largest person to use the suspension bridge. These suspension bridges consists of two ropes, one above the other both fixed and tensioned as for the single Crawl Rope. If the rope is far off the ground then a short safety rope in a bowline round the persons waist with the other end looped round the crossing rope can be used to good effect. Safety Note: It is very easy to slip sideways off the rope so always try to provide protection against this eventuality. Process across the rope by pulling with both hands. To cross the bridge correctly the person should lie face down on top of the rope, hook one ankle onto the rope and leave the other leg hanging straight down to lower the center of gravity for balance. For a larger span you should use block and tackle either tied onto the rope or in the form of a 'Handy Billy' For a short span the rope can be hand tensioned and then tied off on the opposite side. Protect the bark with wrappings of sacking or old canvas and tie off the rope with a round turn and two half hitches.

You need a fairly sizable rope of at least 20 mm diameter. Make sure that the trees are solid and healthy and can take the load. The anchor points can be two sturdy trees at either side of the gap to be bridged. The simplest of the rope suspension bridges is a simple crawl rope stretched between two anchor points. Here are some ideas to build rope bridges at camp or on a Scout night.

Suspension bridge poly bridge