Monkey bridge

The monkey bridge can bridge a wider gap than most other bridge designs. It consists of two A-frames, a base rope bridge and two handrails. A block and tackle system is used to tighten the main bridge and can be anchored to a sturdy tree or a holdfast. The handrails should be shoulder height and as tight as possible. This can be achieved using harvester hitches or rope tackle.

This is challenging project that incorporates a wide range of pioneering skills.

Equipment

Quantity	Resource
4	4m Poles
2	3m Poles
2	2m Pole
2	1m Pole
1	Long Thick Rope—50mm
11	10m Ropes
16	5m Ropes
15	4m Ropes
6	Pickets
8	Tent pegs
1	Block & Tackle

Method

Method This bridge will require substantial ground anchors at each end. Before you start building, check to see if there are any suitable trees to act as anchors. If you do use trees, do not forget to protect them from abrasion by wrapping them in sacking.

1. Construct two "A" frames by laying 2 x 4m poles alongside each other and tying a shear lashing approx 1½m from the top. Open the spars out and lash a 3m pole across the base, using square lashings.
2. Lash light staves above the base to form a simple ladder.
3. To protect the ropes, place some sacking in the crutch of the frame and secure it in place with sisal.
4. Tie guy ropes to the top of the spars.
5. To make the walkway, lay the foot rope on the ground and mark the approximate position of the A frame. Place the hand rope about 1.25m either side of the foot rope. It is a good idea to peg these ropes down to maintain the spacing during the next stage.
6. Using the light line attach the middle to the foot rope with a clove hitch and the ends to the hand ropes with a round turn and two half hitches. The bridge will require a "V" rope every metre or so.
7. With the A frames in position, but still on the ground, check the alignment of the bridge – the frames must be in a straight line between the ground anchors/trees.
8. Anchor one end of the foot rope using a round turn and two half hitches around a 3-2-1 anchorage and fit a Block and Tackle to the other end anchored to a tree or log and picket.
9. Raise one A frame at a time and guy them when they are upright. Heel the butts into the ground to stop them sliding during use.
10. As you tension the foot rope, use a light stave to ease it over the A frame otherwise it will lock in the crutch and tend to pull the frame over. #
11. The bridge should now be strong enough to allow the A frames to be climbed. Attach the hand ropes to the top of the staves using a loose square lashing. Tension them off and then tighten the lashings with a couple of frapping turns.

See also

• Monkey Bridge (PDF)