Shankar Koirala Sets New Record with Nepal’s Highest Highline Practice at The Cliff
Kathmandu. – In a historic feat for Nepal’s adventure sports scene, the country’s highest-ever highline practice has been successfully conducted over the Kaligandaki Gorge between Kusma of Parbat and Balewa of Baglung. The daring event took place at The Cliff, Nepal’s renowned adventure hub known for its bungee, swing, and zipline attractions.
The event was led by Shankar Koirala, a native of Hile, Dhankuta, who currently resides in Germany. Calling it his “dream project,” Koirala brought his 15 years of European highlining experience to Nepal to make this vision a reality. “This is more than a personal dream, it’s about showing Nepal’s potential in the global adventure tourism map,” he said.
The highline stretched an impressive 408 meters, connecting The Cliff on the Baglung side to the harness zipline point on the Kusma side. This makes it the longest and highest highline ever attempted in Nepal and the second-longest in Southeast Asia, according to The Cliff’s chairperson, Raju Karki.
The six-member international team consisted of three Nepalis, Shankar Koirala, Sulabh Chalise, and Sahan Maharjan, alongside Dylan from New Zealand and German athletes Kasia, Matase, and Matthias. The Nepal Slackline Community also provided vital coordination and technical support. The event, which began on October 15, continued until October 18.
The first successful highline walk was performed by New Zealander Bennett Dylan Red, who crossed the gorge with precision and calm amidst strong winds and dizzying heights. Koirala shared that the project was made possible through two years of continuous planning and collaboration between The Cliff and the Nepal Slackline Community.
Chairperson Karki expressed pride in hosting such a pioneering event. “This is the first time such a high-altitude highline has been attempted in Nepal. It opens new doors for adventure tourism,” he said, emphasizing that every safety standard had been strictly followed despite the inherent risks of the sport.
Highlining is considered one of the most demanding balance sports in the world, requiring immense concentration, steady breathing, and complete body control. While it appears terrifying to spectators, Koirala stressed that the activity was conducted with full safety harnesses and leash systems, ensuring complete protection for all participants.
The broader aim, Koirala added, is to promote adventure tourism in Nepal and raise awareness about highlining and slacklining among the public. “We want to inspire local youth, support athletes in this field, and highlight the beauty of Nepal’s natural landscapes,” he said.
Slacklining and highlining, he explained, not only enhance balance, focus, and mental stability but also serve as powerful platforms to showcase Nepal’s stunning geography to the world. Experts believe such initiatives will help attract both domestic and international tourists, particularly in regions around Pokhara and western Nepal.
The Nepal Slackline Community plans to expand similar adventure projects to other scenic destinations in the future, citing this successful event as a milestone for Nepal’s growing adventure sports movement.
What Exactly Are Slackline and Highline?
Slackline is a balance activity where participants walk on a narrow line, typically set 30 cm to 1 meter above the ground. It is practiced in parks, beaches, and gardens worldwide and helps improve concentration, flexibility, and body control.
Highline, on the other hand, takes this challenge to breathtaking heights, ranging from 20 meters to several hundred meters above ground, across gorges, cliffs, or mountains. Using safety harnesses and tethers, athletes walk across while maintaining focus and calm, making it one of the most thrilling and mentally demanding adventure sports globally.
With this groundbreaking highline over the Kaligandaki Gorge, Nepal has officially entered a new era of high-altitude adventure, setting the stage for even greater feats to come.
