Another Way To Fly

Posted on October 25, 2012 by theblondecoyote

My new kicks at the top of Burning Rock’s 2,500-foot zipline!

After a day spent watching 450 BASE jumpers leap, flip and dive off of one of the world’s most impressive bridges at the New River Gorge, I was jonesing for an adrenaline fix. So when my cousin invited us to go ziplining at Burning Rock Adventure Park in Sophia, West Virginia, I said yes please!

I’ve been ziplining a few times, most recently in August in Nebraska, when I crossed paths with a Hastings College biology class on a field trip in Nebraska National Forest. I mentioned I was a bio major back in the day and they invited me to join them on their next stop: ziplining. As a rule, when I’m on the road, I never turn down an invite!

Drew at the top.

Burning Rock’s zipline was a whole other animal: 2,500 feet long, 300-foot vertical drop, 150 feet off the ground, topping out at 60 miles per hour. This place puts the ZIP in zipline! Bonus: why build one awesome zipline when you can build two side-by-side? That’s right! This is a dual racing zipline! Very cool.

Drew winning our zipline race. I can’t compete with that kind of gravity!

My cousin Elizabeth (L) and my sister Sarah (R) at the bottom of the zipline.

Zipline Family Photo! Those harnesses don’t mess around.

Leaf season is peaking in Virginia! Stay tuned for a post from one of my favorite places on Earth: Shenandoah.

About theblondecoyote

Mary Caperton Morton is a freelance science and travel writer with degrees in biology and geology and a master’s in science writing. A regular contributor to EARTH magazine, where her favorite beat is the Travels in Geology column, she has also written for the anthologies Best Women's Travel Writing 2010 and Best Travel Writing 2011. Mary is currently based in western Colorado. When she’s not at the computer she can usually be found outside -- hiking, skiing, climbing mountains and taking photographs. Visit her website at www.marycapertonmorton.com.
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6 Responses to Another Way To Fly

  1. Sj Weigel says:
    October 25, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Those are the biggest caribeaners I have ever seen. what fun! I could feel the wind just looking at the pictures.

  2. Bella Remy Photography says:
    October 25, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    What a blast you had! I wish I could go and try out these zip lines, they look awesome. You had such a perfect autumn day to enjoy them. So happy for you.

  3. Alice says:
    October 25, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    Whee! And all the fall colors–even your shoes!

  4. Joni says:
    October 25, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    i’m doing that first chance i get! wow
    joni

  5. beeseeker says:
    October 27, 2012 at 6:34 am

    Another great post, not sure if you get your feet in shots as some kind of signature – hope so ‘cos it’s a great trade-mark (as well as adding perspective and, in this case HEIGHT/DEPTH!

  6. Pingback: Bridge Day 2012: Extreme Sports & Extreme Eating « Travels with the Blonde Coyote

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