Sue ziplining in Whistler in May, 2008. Notice the snow on the ground!!

The first time I went ziplining was in Whistler, British Columbia, in 2008, with Ziptrek Tours. It was a spontaneous decision, and one I wasn’t completely sure about!

I have to admit to feeling a little nervous as we headed up the track towards the first line. After all, we were about to whizz back and forth between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, hanging beneath a steel cable goodness how many feet in the air. And I’m not really very good with heights.

Oh, who am I kidding? I was terrified!

But as soon as we left that first platform and soared out over the trees, I knew I was hooked. It was so exhilarating! My enthusiasm wasn’t even dampened when Rich, with whom I was riding, didn’t quite make it all the way across on the longest run (which is perfectly normal, I’m told). As we dangled above the middle of the valley, waiting for one of the guides to come and tow us to the landing stage, I remember just laughing.

Sue on the longest run (at the time, at least) between Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains (May, 2008).

Since then, we try to go ziplining as often as possible. So far we’ve done it in Mexico, Jamaica and most recently in Puerto Rico. Each time was thrilling, and each time was unique.

At Selvatica Adventure Kingdom in Mexico, we got to break for ourselves, using thick leather gloves. (OK, so Sue did the breaking for me, since my arms are a bit short for that sort of thing. To be honest, I’d probably fit in one finger of the gloves they use!) Anyway, after the main part of the tour was over, we got to zipline out over a cenote and drop into the cool refreshing water below. Fantastic! (See Pyramids, eco-tourism and hanging out… upside-down! on Jaspa’s Journal and Things to do in a Cenote here on Bucket List Publications.)

Rich hanging out upside-down at Selvatica (April, 2011).

Sue about to take the plunge (April, 2011).

In Jamaica, Chukka Tours kept everything typically laid back. Even barrelling through the trees on a zipline. Just as you’d expect, Mon.

While in Puerto Rico, we got to ride La Bestia! (The Beast!) at Torro Verde Adventure Park. This is the longest and most exciting zipline I’ve done so far. It’s 4745 feet long, up to 900 feet above the ground, and reaches speeds of around 60 mph. And all this is done Superman-style! (See Taming The Beast! on Jaspa’s Journal.)

About to ride The Beast! at Torro Verde (March, 2013).

Is it a bird? (March, 2013)

Ziplining at Umauma Falls (photo from www.umaumaexperience.com). This will be us in December, 2013!

And in just over a month’s time I get to do it again! This time at Umauma Falls in Hawaii! It’s going to be incredible. I can’t believe how exceptionally lucky I am!

I hope you enjoyed this post. My name is Jaspa, and I’m the main character in the Jaspa’s Journey adventure novels by Rich Meyrick. To learn more visit my website, www.jaspasjourney.com, and blog, Jaspa’s Journal, or follow me on Facebook and Twitter.