April 15, 2021

Ziplining in the New River Gorge

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I haven’t done much ziplining before. I’ve only gone ziplining once on a vacation back in 2014 and it was a one-time thing. I was perched at the top of the mountain and we zoomed across a river and then we were done. When I began working at Ace Adventure Resort and I saw the New River Gorge Zipline Tours, I was wondering how they could make it 3-4 hours of just ziplining. Well, I was about to find out.

I had the opportunity for my job to go on Ace Adventure Resort’s New River Gorge Zipline and Canopy Tours. After checking in and gearing up, we got on the bus and began our trip. We make it to the first zipline and I soon find out that that this is one out of nine zipline on our trip! This was much different than my original ziplining experience and I was excited about it. Our instructors talked to us about safety as well as slowing down or speeding up while on the zipline. If you needed to slow down on a particular zipline the instructors would motion a star symbol with you body that would allow you to slow down. On the other hand, if the instructors needed you to speed up, you would bring your knees into your chest like a cannonball. On the first zipline we got to, we had to watch the instructors for a starfish or cannonball motion so we knew if we had to slowdown or speed up. After the first zipline I was hooked! We passed gorgeous views of the New River Gorge from the zipline course and had fun while doing it.

We went through a few more ziplines on the gorge and actually got to cross a few bridges where we could practice our balance as well as take in the scenery. Once we cross the last bridge, we head up a tower where we are met with the last zipline. This zipline was definitely favorite and you know what they say, “you save the best for last.” You have to sit down on the tower and push yourself off where it feels like you’re free falling! Overall it was such a great experience and a great way to see the beautiful New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.