Hey Aussie,
You did not mentioned the hand in front of the pulley to "brake". That is definitely asking for someone to loose a couple of fingers in this joy ride.
Are these guys seriously "training" for a rescue events????
They look like "joy ridding" to me.

Agreed, that looks like an accident waiting to happen. Incidentally, aussietreeclimber did mention in his third point that you shouldn't put your hand in front of a moving pulley.

- _link_

Ok, so we've established that the system looks unsafe. So how should it be set up? First off, two parallel stacked static lines, trolley on one, biner backup or trolley on the other? Ascender on one line to assist movement up inclined end of traverse (assuming use to get from point A to point not "downhill" ride.

Also... in rec climbing in general is this type of traverse more useful as a way to get from point A to point B over an obstacle (river, canyon etc.) than for any other purpose? I see traverse rides as a completely different animal than roped tree climbing. It's typically seen in ecotourism canopy tours or ropes courses for thrill rides, requires no skill to use, just skilled setup and babysitting. It verges on being a passive recreational activity and could even demean the canopy as the adrenaline buzzed tourist flies through without noticing what's going on around them. The self-empowerment and contempletive (through incremental climbing process) aspects of rec tree climbing are huge, without it there's much less there. (elitist editorial over)
-moss

The site these came from are of a SAR group. Would you want these guys "saving" you? I can imagine all sorts of Keystone Cops stuff happening.

Moss, I think your "elitist rant" is quite appropriate!

When I make zip lines, I insist on on having a lanyard from the pulley to the zipper. The lanyard that should be long enough that the zipper can't reach the pulley.

When working/playing with experienced climbers/riggers, I don't mind having it set up so that the zipper can climb up to the pulley set up if need be. An example would be if you zip down to the mid point of the line, but then you have to "ascend" up the other side w/ ascenders. Might be hard to do that if you can't reach!

love
nick

This is all the information they provide on their website (that i could find) about the day.

HCRU Tyrolean Traverse
Annual Training Event at DeSoto Falls State Park, Alabama
A 230’ long High Line in front of DeSoto Falls, 100’ above the water.
Safety Comes First.

Equipment Needed
Approved helmet (4 point suspension)
Boots (preferred) or sneakers or sandals (no flip-flops)
Leather gloves
Seat harness
Locking carabiner(s)
Optional sling (seat carabiner to pulley)
2” Rescue Pulley *
* Your 2” pulley must accommodate a 5/8” rope.

No ball bearing pulleys. No “racing” pulleys.
A few pulleys may be available to borrow.
Alabama State Park & HCRU release forms must be signed.

The HCRU has final say on all safety issues.

I believe they should revise their critera a litle bit.