Look! No Hands!
There’s something very refreshing about the idea of swinging about in the treetops. I remember many a time as a kid when I was happy to haul myself up a tree, seeing the world from a different perspective. Soon after however, I turned into quite the tubby teenager, so tree climbing kind of slipped off the radar, until now.
A couple of weeks ago Adam and I took 10 competition winners to Go Ape in Delamere Forest, Cheshire. Go Ape is a ‘high-wire forest adventure’ with 23 courses around the country. Delamere forest is a great location, with mountain bike trails, cafes and its own train stop with a direct link from Manchester.
After our safety briefing, we divided into two groups of 6 and began our adventure. The course is divided into 5 sections, each higher and more challenging than the last.
The first few sections were relatively easy going. I was sure to test the cable and harness on the first one by deliberately jumping off the platform and then we were off.
You have the option of making it as easy or as challenging as you like by choosing not to use your hands where possible and by taking the full strain of your body weight on your arms instead of the safety line (it’s still attached so you’re perfectly safe).
The best bit about each section has to be the zip wires. Towards the end of the course, when the platforms are at their highest, I almost had to employ some of my bungee jump techniques. It turns out that, although I’m not afraid of heights, I’m not always comfortable standing on the edge, waiting to jump. So, I stare at the horizon, make sure I’m not holding on to anything…and I go.
