AP

Brothers set record crossing large gap in park on a highline

Jun 20, 2021, 11:12 AM

Brothers set record crossing large gap in park on a highline...

In this Saturday, June 12, 2021, photo provided by Scott Oller Films, highliner Daniel Monterrubio walks the 2,800-foot-long line off Taft Point above Yosemite Valley in Yosemite, Calif. (Scott Oller/Scott Oller Films via AP)

(Scott Oller/Scott Oller Films via AP)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Two brothers from San Francisco say they have set a record for the longest highline ever walked in both Yosemite National Park and California, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Earlier this month, they and a group of friends spent nearly a week stringing a single, 2,800-foot (853-meter)-long line from Taft Point west across a series of gulleys that plunge 1,600 feet (488 meters).

Moises and Daniel Monterrubio, brothers who are training to be rope-access technicians, had been thinking about crossing that void for a year.

“Every time we’d go out there, we’d think about that line,” Moises Monterrubio, 26, told the Chronicle.

Highlining is high-altitude slacklining, in which a narrow strip of strong, nylon webbing — usually an inch wide and a few millimeters thick — is strung between two anchor points and serves as a kind of balance beam.

Completing a line means carefully heel-toeing from one end to the other while wearing a waist-harness that links to a 3-inch steel ring around the webbing. In a fall, walkers remain attached, but they have to haul themselves back up to balance or shimmy back to an anchor point while dangling upside down.

The sport in the past decade has flourished into a culture of athletes, gear brands and sponsorships.

Over the course of six days earlier this month, the Monterrubios used the help of 18 friends and fellow highliners to navigate their webbing through and across the landscape — hiking lines up from the valley floor, rappelling down from the cliffs above and maneuvering through countless tree branches.

Eventually, they had their anchors: a set of granite boulders at Taft Point and an old, thick tree trunk at the other outcropping.

“It was pretty intense and dangerous. But we made it happen,” Monterrubio said.

The group received permission from national park staffers in advance, he said.

The longest line walked in Yosemite had been a 954-footer (291-meter) extending from Taft Point to an anchor east. The new line was almost three times that length.

It all came together at sunset June 10: The line was set, the brothers were ready and the honor was theirs.

Daniel, 23, walked the line first and fell three or four times in the wind but made it across. Then Moises, also falling twice but catching himself on the line above the craggy landscape.

Friends took turns on the line for four days afterward, most of them falling as well. The pride of a highliner is to conquer a line without slipping off.

Eventually, Moises walked the line in 37 minutes without a fall. So did fellow highliner Eugen Cepoi, Moises’ mentor.

“The most rewarding part was seeing all my friends at the anchor excited about just having it done,” Moises said. “I value that more than crossing.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

AP

grace poses with her i voted sticker design...

HOLLY RAMER, Associated Press

Creative ‘I Voted’ stickers branch out beyond the familiar flag design

The designs on the front of “I Voted” stickers are attracting a lot of attention this year.

6 hours ago

FILE - The sun sets behind high tension power lines on Sept. 23, 2024, in the Porter Ranch section ...

PAUL WISEMAN AP Economics Writer

US economy grew at a solid 2.8% pace last quarter on strength of consumer spending

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a healthy 2.8% annual rate from July through September, with consumers helping drive growth despite the weight of still-high interest rates. Wednesday’s report from the Commerce Department said the gross domestic product — the economy’s total output of goods and services — did slow slightly from its […]

4 days ago

A McDonald's Quarter Pounder sandwich purchased, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Ch...

SARAH PARVINI, AP Technology Writer

McDonald’s Quarter Pounder back on the menu after testing rules out beef patties as E. coli source

he company said Sunday it will resume selling Quarter Pounders at hundreds of affected restaurants in the coming week.

5 days ago

Miles Mitchell, 21, winner of the Timothee Chalamet lookalike contest near Washington Square Park, ...

JAKE OFFENHARTZ, Associated Pres

Timothée Chalamet crashes his own look-alike contest after police shut down crowded event

Actor Timothée Chalamet made a surprise appearance at his own look-alike contest in Lower Manhattan on Sunday.

6 days ago

You can prepare your online accounts for when you die....

KELVIN CHAN AP Business Writer

One Tech Tip: How to prepare your online accounts for when you die

It's wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you're gone, but don't forget to take care of your digital estate too.

8 days ago

Union members watch as volunteers tally votes on a new contract offer from Boeing, Wednesday, Oct. ...

DAVID KOENIG and MANUEL VALDES, Associated Press

Boeing factory workers vote to reject contract and continue 6-week strike

Boeing factory workers have voted 64% against the company's latest contract offer and to continue a six-week strike.

10 days ago

Sponsored Articles

4 construction workers fixing roof against clouds blue sky, install shingles at the top of the hous...

Chipman Roofing

Weather the storms by maintaining your roof

By taking the time to assess your roof's condition and make repairs as needed, you maintain the longevity of your home's stability.

Tax Harassment...

Law Offices of Jordan F. Wilcox

Feeling intimidated by the IRS? 6 Essential facts you should know.

If you are receiving threatening letters and wage garnishments from the IRS, hiring an attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.

Photo courtesy of Nightmare on 13th...

Nightmare on 13th

Here’s why Nightmare on 13th is the best haunted house in Utah

Fall brings Halloween, and Halloween brings Haunted Houses. There’s no better Haunted House than Nightmare on 13th – here’s why!

USA, Utah, Bear Lake. The deep blue of Utah's Bear Lake contrasts with autumn foliage....

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

Experience Bear Lake’s all-year activities

We break down Bear Lake's four-season recreational offerings so the whole family can enjoy their time there any time of the year.

Water park with a vintage VW bug in front with a surfboard on top...

Cowabunga Bay

Spend the last days of summer at Cowabunga Bay! 

Cowabunga Bay is one of Utah's premier water parks that features water slides, a lazy river, a kids' cove, and a beach with lounge chairs.

A young woman smiles while reading the menu at a lakeside restaurant, enjoying the panoramic view o...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best restaurants to try in Bear Lake

Save this guide to the best restaurants in Bear Lake when you need to find a place to dine during your next visit.

Brothers set record crossing large gap in park on a highline