Maniacs on the Mountain

Christmas Eve and it had been snowing hard all morning. We were due to go Zip Lining in the middle of the day, just Erin and me this time as Wendy is not fond of heights. I wondered if it may be called off because of the weather but then I recalled our time in Iceland, skidooing where they go out no matter the conditions, white-out or not. And it’s the same here ….weather ….what weather?

We met the group and leaders at the Carleton near the ski lifts where we were fitted with harnesses and helmets. Naomi and Eden (both Poms who love it here) organised us up to the gondola and then up to a station about half way up Whistler Peak and crowded with skiers ….thousands of them. From there it was a trek through the new powder snow following the trail through the forest to the launch platforms. The shoe chains on our boots (like chains for car tires only for shoes) were very helpful keeping us upright which was just as well because our heads were on swivels looking around at the beauty of this forest draped in its winter finery. Not really cold but quiet and beautiful …… until the reality of our purpose hit. 

Heading off to the forest after the gondola ride up the mountain.

The scenery through the forest was so foreign to us Aussies.
The shape, the sound, the smell, the whiteness of it.

We would do the big line first and then four other smaller zip lines working our way down the mountain back to Whistler Village.

It’s difficult to describe the feeling of launching into thin air and trusting that the harness will hold. Only the actual experience can do that so I have attached some photos of our Zip Line adventure to give a hint of what it was like.

The scenery from the launch platforms was Instagrammable, as the youngsters would say.

There was a process on the launch deck …. Safety harness, attach zip pulley, check, open gate,
step down and then step out into the abyss.

I certainly wasn’t graceful like some of the others, hanging upside down
and doing manoeuvres….but I did get there without having to be rescued!

Made it!

Erin showing off …star fishing…….at speed!

Really, upside down as well!!

Getting ready to video my second ride. Note the phone in a special pouch, ‘cos
if you drop it, there’s no getting it back!!

Eden’s comment was “ If you’re enjoying it, my name is Eden. If you’re not it’s Tom”😂

Thumbs up …… for yes we are having a wonderful time!!

At the end of the adventure with Whistler village in the background. That snow did not let up all day!

The video I’ve included below is an attempt to give an idea of what our experience was like. It was taken on the second run and I was rotating wildly …..but you’ll get the picture …….if it works. 

This is the first time I’ve uploaded a video🤞