"Blondin" in action

The video shows the ropeway in action.

video - Blondin ropeway

Thanks to the passing dog-walkers for doing the video while I operated the ropeway!

Was told I should make one of these back in November 2008. Yesterday, 4th July 2009, rigged this one. Made the carriage and the wooden single-sheave blocks yesterday, then set off to find somewhere to rig it. Found this location with two trees giving a "line of sight" over a bend in a stream.

Here's pictures of same (low resolution, as sun shining into shade is difficult for camera).

(all quiet again!)

(ready for walk home - also have small backpack of other rope and equipment)

More on "Blondins"

In general these systems are constructed using wire-rope - "cableways" or "aerial tramways".

In North America they were one variant of "highline" or "highlead" logging.
The "blondin" arrangement seems to be known as "Tyler system" there - see University of Washington - University Library digital collection - page 22 of "Youngs Iron Works catalogue".

In Britain "Blondins" were used in quarrying, particularly in the slate mines of North Wales.
See eg Blondin (quarry equipment) [Wikipedia].


(R Smith, 05 July 2009, 29 Jan 2023 (1.5MB vid only, edits))