I rigged up my winch / cable as a zip line this last weekend and it worked okay. It wasn't fast enough to really be fun. However, to make it faster, I would have had to make it steeper or tighter. As it was, my kids had to step up to the start and coast to where their feet could touch. The line also had some slack which seemed to slow them down. I'm afraid of winching it too tight and have it break while my kids are on it. After a little web searching, the reports are mixed-- from let kids have some fun to too dangerous. Here's how I have the cable set up:
8k lb winch (right side of pic)---to 20k lb snatch block with tree saver high up onto tree-- to recovery strap low on end tree (left side of pic). I'm using another (8k lb) snatch block with a rope grip for the kids to hold onto.

Oh man I'm glad I'm not the only one who's wanted to do this.

..... Like it!!!!

What were you worried about breaking? I'd be more concerned about the tree. That cable is likely rated for at least 16,000lbs. Rule of thumb for winch cables is to have them be good for double the pull strength of the winch itself.

Too dangerous ?

Must've been a pe teacher who coaches diving that was skeert

That is so awesome I wish I would have thought of it

No joke. That has me rethinking synthetic line. All that needs is a handle on a carabinier to be perfect.

Cool. Im glad you guys think its a good idea (or at least not a horribly dangerous idea). Next time I'll find a wider tree and make the line tigher and higher. I can either rig a harness to sit in or use a tricep extention bar to hold onto.

I can see Sasquatch sneaking out in the middle of the night to use it.

Or set it up across a moose pond.

too dangerous.... pfttt


Have you met my sons?

They would have had me run it over the live moose! Or at least over the fire pit.

That sounds like a heck of an idea.

That's a sweet idea! I need to go camping with you sometime!! Caribou is the first place I ever went wheeling back some 20 years ago. Such a cool place. Lots more trails and cool old mining equipment. Still a cool place though. I'm thinking of going fishing in the creek and beaver bogs soon. Look forward to wheeling with ya agian sometime soon!

I don't see anything wrong with it. I'd bet your winch would stall way before you snapped the cable. Or pull a tree over, but I'd bet that's hard to do as well! Looks like fun to me!

Gregg, I have been dieing to get up there fishing soon. I'm hoping to hit caribou fishing before the gate closes for winter. I'll have some time in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to meeting up with the club again. Work took me out of town way to much the past few years. I'll be here full time now though. Excited to see how your truck is doing!