For two more Fridays, including Aug. 1, all the adrenaline and none of the gasoline expenses are available at the Missoula Parks and Recreation Department’s Ropes Course in McCormick Park.
More than 70 groups each summer rent the high-wire course for team-building and communications workshops. But the course is also open to the walk-in public Friday evenings. For $5, you can have expert assistance in wall-climbing, aerial bridge crossing and other heart-squeezing challenges.
So 7-year-old Austin and 8-year-old Coleman strapped on climbing belts, tied into heavy-duty belaying rope and tried scrambling up the artificial cliff wall on the course’s west side. Parks and Rec staff member Cara Webb held the other end and sent up encouragement.
“I’m the best in my family at climbing,” Austin declared after rappelling down the wall. His brother had to agree.
“He touched the top,” Coleman said with a little frustration. “I barely got up there.”
The boys were two of about a dozen young people who came to test their fear of heights last Friday evening. The course’s public window is open from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Webb said some days, just one or two couples show up. Other times, it’s stacked up with participants.
The course has strict safety standards. Everyone in the fenced enclosure must wear a helmet, whether they’re climbing or not. All climbing gear is inspected regularly, and personal equipment must pass a supervisor’s review before it can be used on the city wall. But no personal equipment is needed, because the facility has plenty of belts and helmets.
In addition to the rock-climbing wall, the course has several high-wire lines, swings, hanging hoops and other challenges to negotiate. A favorite is the wood-slat bridge that looks straight out of an Indiana Jones movie.
Parks and Rec outdoor specialist Jason Pignanelli said the course has grown slowly in popularity. A few years ago, only the climbing wall was offered for Friday open sessions. But last year, the department decided to make the whole available and increase advertising.
So in addition to the adult sessions, the course is getting dates for birthday parties, youth group gatherings and other younger-age activities.
Pignanelli said some groups like to start with the ropes course as a way of building team relationships and communication skills. Others spend their week of workshops as build-up for a finale on the course.
However, open climbs are running out. This Friday and Aug. 8 are the last two dates of the summer.
Reporter Rob Chaney can be reached at 523-5382 or at rchaney@missoulian.com.
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