Seriously, the most amazing week of my life.
- Camper, Summer 2007

Alpine Tower & Swing

The Alpine Tower

The Alpine Tower was constructed in 1998. Over more than a decade, thousands of summer campers and retreat attendees have climbed this 50+ foot tall structure--many of them having reached the top many different ways in their Glisson careers. The Alpine Tower provides seemingly limitless routes to the top, starting with three different access poles, each with different levels of difficulty. With elements such as Jacob's Ladder (smaller version of Giant's Ladder above), the Wind Chimes (two hanging logs with climbing holds on them), the Missing Link (an enormous rope ladder with a four foot section left out), and the See-saw (a horizontal beam that tilts when you move from side to side) the Alpine Tower is full of challenges suitable and challenging for just about everyone: from high school seniors, to 4th graders, to parents of summer staff! The Alpine Tower is more than just a "get to the top" element; it is a safe and exciting way for campers to push the limits of their fears and--with the help of safety harnesses, belayers and their peers--take on challenges they never thought they could.

The Giant Swing

The Giant Swing is an element of the Alpine Tower worthy of its own paragraph. The swing is set up on cables hooked into the Alpine Tower and surrounding support poles. Swingers are harnessed in and hooked to a steel cable with a steel carabiner by a facilitator on a ladder. The facilitator takes the ladder away and signals a pull team to lift their peer up to 30 ft. in the air. The facilitator then instructs the swinger to release his or her trigger rope to initiate the swing. The participant then swings back and forth (typically yelling as loud as possible) a few times, then the Coriolis Effect swings them in circles for a minute or two (which most people find relaxing). Once the swinger has slowed down enough, the facilitator slows him or her to a stop and then sets the ladder back up to unhook the carabiners. There is also a "ground release" option that is used for our Sparrowwood campers. With this special chord, our beloved Sparrowwood campers get to swing from as high (up to 30 ft.) or low as they want without having to worry about triggering the swing. The Giant Swing is a great way to confront a fear of heights, to learn about trust, and of course--to have a ton of fun!