Victory Tower

Basic Training consists of 9 weeks of instruction, punctuated with several events designed to build skills, confidence, and teamwork. Victory Tower is one such event. They took us out to a clearing in the woods where a 50' tower stands. There, we first demonstrated basic ability with ropes by grabbing onto a thick rope and swinging ourselves over a 10' wide pit. Then the fun begins! We go over to the north side of the tower. There, we climb a ladder to a platform. From there, we climb up a robe bridge consisting of a single thick rope to walk on, and two thinner ropes that serve as handrails. That takes us up to the main tower. At about a 20 degree incline. From there, we crawl back down to the main platform, pulling ourselves on top of a single, thick rope. For me, that was the most challenging part of the day. Then, the exercise takes you back up a rope bridge just like the first one, but this time with only one handrail, located directly above the thick rope you walk on. Once up on the tower again, you proceed down a cargo net (thick ropes tied to form a series of 1 foot squares like a chess board) to return to ground level. From there, it's off to a brief class in how to tie a swiss harness - basically a single piece of rope tied around your waist to form a climber's harness. From there, wearing your harness, you pull yourself up a 70 degree inclined platform, with boards nailed across it to form ladder rungs, using a thick rope. Then for the final thrill - a DS at the top of the tower latches you into a 40' rope that drops back down to ground level - vertically! First, we have to stand with our feet against the top of the wall, and lie our body horizontally, suspend 40' above the ground by the rope and harness. Then down she goes. Kick off from the wall, hand holding the rope off to the side, you accellerate downward, still horizontal, toward the ground. Bring the hand with the rope behind your back, and you slow down, feet move back toward the wall, and you come to a momentary stop. Repeat the cycle a few times and before you know it, you have rapelled a 40' wall! It was a most excellent day.