Who We Are
Inventors. Manufacturers.
Zipline Operators.
We are dedicated to making the zipline industry safer with intuitive and easy-to-use products. We are Hackwell.
Our Story
Born from CLIMB Works. Built to Solve Problems.
Hackwell's story began at CLIMB Works.
When CLIMB Works opened its Gatlinburg, Tennessee operation in 2010, our team recognized a critical gap in zipline braking technology. Existing solutions weren't good enough, so we brought in engineer and inventor Donny Hackett to help us create something better.
Working alongside the CLIMB Works team, Donny turned real-world operational challenges into innovative engineering solutions. That collaboration led to ZIPKEA — and ultimately to Hackwell Innovations, a company within the CLIMB Works family, with Donny as a founding partner and lead inventor.
Hackwell brought together Donny's inventive engineering and CLIMB Works' real-world experience to solve problems for the adventure industry.
The First Problem
A Better Way to Brake
Like virtually all gravity-fed zipline courses at the time, our original Gatlinburg operation relied on gravity lines, body positioning, prusik knots, and friction rope systems.
Most riders came in great, but two problems remained: some came in short, requiring retrievals that slowed down tours, while others came in too fast.
We knew there had to be a better solution.
The Solution
ZIPKEA Changed Everything
Together, Donny and the CLIMB Works team developed ZIPKEA to address both problems.
Riders coming in short could now be captured and pulled in, while riders carrying too much speed could be slowed before reaching the platform. The result was a simpler, more consistent braking system that improved operations and gave our team greater peace of mind.
What began as a solution for our own courses soon became something we knew could benefit the entire industry.
The Inventor
The Engineering Mind
Behind Hackwell
As a founding partner and lead inventor, Donny Hackett was the creative engineering force behind Hackwell and its products.
Donny had a gift for seeing problems differently and finding simple, creative solutions. His ingenuity helped shape Hackwell into what it is today — a team of engineers carrying forward that same approach to make the adventure industry safer and better.
Born from CLIMB Works and inspired by Donny's legacy, Hackwell continues to do what it was created to do:
Solve real industry problems through creative innovation.
All products are designed, tested, and manufactured in Nashville, Tennessee.
15+
Years Operating
100+
Courses Equipped
1M+
Riders Braked
Ready to Talk?
We'd love to hear about your operation and help you find the right safety solution.