Meg's & Lon's Magnificent Adventure: Day 11 Ziptrekking

Yes we have been sitting around too long and after yesterdays adventure in the dark we believe we are ready for Ziptrekking: a little like a flying fox on steroids!!! It's way up in the rainforest yes you read correctly; the rainforest - very very old - came out of the glaciers apparently. Anyway it is time to see the world from the top of the trees. Along with our partner in crime; Micahla, we set off on our adventure. We did decide once arriving in Whistler village at 9.30 am that most people do actually sleep in - the place was almost deserted. We grabbed a cuppa and went to suit up. Aaaahh these adventurous sports need to rethink the whole fashion side of things because I'm telling you a harness and helmet is just NOT that attractive really!! We were introduced to our lovely guides: Peter and Allyce - who were like V drinks walking: bless them!! A short van trip up the mountain passed the Bob Sledding tracks from the Olympics we hit our first Zip Line. Packing s#@t I'm telling you!!!! Right - lets get this thing done and off I went - my fear of course was that whole swinging feeling - hey guys I get sick on a child's swing!!! Thought I was really brave on the year 12 camp when I did that swing - felt sick for about an hour afterwards!!!!! Anyway surprisingly enough - it's not the same feeling at all and by the time I realised this the first line had finished!!!!!

Megs typing

Well, Elona survived and she did not exhale and screams of panic - all good... My turn. They hitch the harness up and advise to walk down the stairs until you get the wedgie of your life and then lift your feet up and go. Easy. The scenery is amazing but goes by all too quickly, and you get a 360 degree view as you swing in a circle, until all of a sudden you feel this abrupt holt as you reach the brake and then you roll slowly to the landing to be unhooked. Amazing. 1 down 4 more to go...no worries. Once the entire group was to the other side we set off on a wee walk to the second launch point.

Micahla found this whole adventure to be meditative, she is a bit of an adrenaline junky we think. At the second launch point we are offered hot chocolate and the photographer meets the group. We are advised that we will launch backwards and if we could please smile and release the death grip on the harness, just a little if possible, it would make for a better shot. We had some experienced ZipTrekkers with us and they were all gun-ho to have their photos taken whilst hanging upside down. I for one was not quite ready for tricks. Micahla (see photos) attempted to complete the whole upside down experience but instead achieved a yoga like stretch whilst suspended. Elona keen for some awesome action shots (as always) managed to forget the death grip altogether - excellent photos.....

Two ZipLines down and 3 to go.....

Elona Typing

Fear had gone and enjoyment set in - our next wee walk to the next line was a little hazardous with a number of falls had by a few people on the icy trail. 3 was cool and I managed to get video but at the moment we still are having difficulty in getting the video footage on the blog...we will keep trying. Line 4 mind you was the longest run and we were instructed to pull our knees up and hold them there for the entire run...cool I can do that!!!! Off I set a little nervous as Megs had commented on the last run that the stairs just end at nothing and if you look down (which I hadn't till this point!) it is a VERY long way down. So I look don't I!!!! Bad move but being diligent, up went the knees and this run gave you a longer time to check out the views...just beautiful and then I realised I was slowing down... I mean really slowing down...I look towards my destination and just think "crap" am I going to make it??? Only just BUT poor Allyce had to wind me in a good ten metres and in her puffy voice informed me that she thought I'd be the one not to make it is I was the smallest - could have told me that at the beginning of the run!!!!!! Anyway all good apart from Allyce having to exert a little more energy than she expected. The fourth run takes you right back to Whistler village and this is where you show off your talents!!!! Ha!! I let go of the death grip...that's about it....the 12 year olds of course ALL came in upside down...little buggers!! A fun time was had by all though and I wonderful experience to be had. We purchased the photos...as you do and have included them here.

We organised with Micahla a dinner for the next night to celebrate my birthday over a lovely Greek meal at a restaurant called OPA! (of course) Micahla headed off to work and we headed back to the Hostel to have a leisurely night as we were up early for the Medicine Trail - which is a snow shoeing tour through the Callaghan Forest.