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About the Bridge

The West Virginia Department of Highways, which owns the bridge, chose the Michael Baker Company to do the design. The construction contract was awarded to the American Bridge Division of U.S. Steel. Read more...

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Ascending Ropes Guidelines:

Ascending Ropes Guidelines
For
New River Gorge Bridge Day™ 2010

GOAL:  This year we are giving rappellers who might never have the chance the opportunity to ascend a rope on Bridge Day™.  The addition of two ropes does not endanger the BASE jumpers, nor does it take away from another team having the opportunity to rappel on Bridge Day™.  It is more responsibility and more management for those of us offering the Bridge Day™ Rappel.  

Individual Bridge Day™ Rappel teams can still have team members ascend on their respective rope.

1. There is NO charge for this opportunity.
2. Each person must submit an ascending application by August 30, 2010.  Please go to our website, www.bridgedayrappel.com, and download the “rapascentrequest ascending ropes” form.  You must have done a 500’ ascent.  We would prefer that climbers have ascended Whitesides, Ellisons, or something similar. 
3. Two ropes will be rigged past the last rappel anchor.
4. Climbers will not be paired as teams. 
5. There will be one event management person at the bottom of the ascending ropes and two event management people at the top on the catwalk.  These people will be rotated throughout the day.  They will be the person in charge of their respective location.  The ascending ropes will still fall under the umbrella of the Safety Team overseen by Bruce Smith.
6. The ascending ropes safety director is Dr. Pete Hertl.
7. There will be a Motorola Talk About radio at the bottom and on the catwalk.  Climbers should have a Motorola Talk About radio that can communicate with our radios.  It can be turned off; it is there for an emergency.
8. We will select 32 individuals to use these ascending ropes.  Individuals and times will be announced at the orientation briefing on Friday, October 17.
9. Frog & knot systems will not be allowed.
10. Each climber must meet with Safety Officer Bruce Smith before 5 PM on Friday, October 17, and “show” his ascending system.  Failure to do so or if your system does not pass Bruce’s inspection means NO ascent on Bridge Day™.
11. A special thanks needs to go to Michael Phelps, Todd Handley, Dr. Pete Hertl, and Extreme Rappels for making this opportunity happen.
12. The people using these ascending ropes should be skilled, efficient climbers in good condition who have the knowledge and extra gear to solve ascending problems.  Changeover skills are required in case the climber encounters problems.  A lone climber should be comfortable with a 15-20 minute climb.