Zip-lining "The Gorge", North Carolina

Zip-lining "The Gorge" in Salina, North Carolina was quite the rush (although I have to say I was expecting a little more of an adrenaline charge, probably because during the whole experience we were surrounded by deep lush forest and felt cocooned and safe by the "soft" foliage. I think with all that luxurious greenness around, we didn't really get a chance to actually conceptualize just how high up among the treetops we were). Not scary at all, but the guides did say that every day there is probably at least one person who just can't do it, either at the beginning or along the way, and has to be carefully assisted down and escorted safely back to base. Not scary! It was enervating! 11 zip lines rapidly descending 1,100 feet in elevation over an expanse of 125 acres of old growth and protected forest. The 11 zip lines were rigged on fat cables that had been bore-holed through massive trees. A lot of oaks, maples, tulip trees, cucumber magnolias amongst others were in the forest. One guide to liven up the group asked people if they'd ever seen a cactus oak. Thought I was going to bust out laughing ... but have to say, he did have me guessing for a second! Our guides were quite the naturalists, so we were constantly entertained with outdoor lore while we waiting our turns to zip.

The night before my sister-in-law and I zipped, a violent thunder and lightning storm had crashed through the forest and toppled some massive trees. One of our guides had a tour in progress when the lightning started (zip-line tours last 3 1/2 - 4 hours, depending). Officially when that happens, the zip-lines are closed and everyone repels down and walks out of the forest. Our guide was walking his guests out when a tree came crashing down about 20 feet away from him. Everyone had taken off their helmets. Well, they put them right back on and scurried out of there quick! But to our advantage the next day, there was a huge gap in the foliage and we could see down into the valley - 14,000 acres of Green River Gamelands wilderness - as we zipped along to the next platform. Three of the eleven zip-lines have particularly awesome valley and undulating mountain views from the line, fantastic for getting a perspective of the immensity of the mountains, but the majority just offer flashing glimpses through the heavy leaf canopy. "The Gorge" isn't kidding when they advertise themselves as being a Zipline Canopy Adventure!

Amongst the 11 zip lines were three repels. I think the highest repel was 84 feet. This was my first time repelling too, if a person doesn't count top-lining a sheer cliff face and being lowered down. I had no control on how quickly I descended ... but then I didn't this time either since we were using a weighted pulley system which controlled the speed of descent.

Also a sky-bridge had recently been completed. It was a fun walk across, didn't sway that much, but was great for making a memorable photo of the whole zip lining-under-a-canopy experience.

In our group of eight, which is pretty much the maximum to expedite groups maintaining the zip lining schedule, three of our group were small 70-pound kids, the lowest weight a person can have in order to zip. Actually, because three of our members were of minimum weight, our group probably took a whole hour longer to go through the lines because light-weights zip at much lower velocity and stop well short of the next platform so have to work their little arms a lot to pull themselves along. The next group was constantly waiting for us to clear a platform so they could zip in. I sure hope their guides were as knowledgeable about the forest and nature as ours were, because we were certainly entertained the whole time we were waiting on our platforms.

A video clip of one of the spectacular lines was filmed. The clip absolutely does not do justice to the glory of the view, but the singing of the line on the clip sure is memorable! Found a better clip on YouTube of zipping in Saluda. Just one comment, the video only shows one (very limited) perspective of zipping through the canopy and always carefully holding on with both hands on impact. The potential is so much more ... just make sure when hitting the slowing device, to face forward or a whiplash or cable smack could result. Letting go before hitting is ... PERFECTLY SAFE!