The Zip Line Eco Tour: A Great New Adventure on Catalina Island, California
Posted: Sunday, March 27, 2011
by Wayne and Judy Bayliff
the2writers.com
We started our exciting day by boarding the 10 a.m. Catalina Express to Avalon from their convenient pier in Long Beach harbor. 60 minutes, and 22 miles later we were disembarking in sunny Avalon Bay, and anticipating our first ride on the exciting new Zip Line.The striking contrast between the mainland hubbub and island tranquility never ceases to amaze.
It's a short walk from the boat landing to anywhere in Avalon, and we casually strolled along the seaside walkway past the Grand Casino to sandy Descanso Beach. There we enjoyed a delightful outdoor lunch at the newly renovated Descanso Beach Club and Restaurant. Shaded by swaying palms, we feasted on a generous portion of delicious fish and chips.Yum!
After lunch, we headed for the sign-up and orientation area for the new Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour, which is located just a few hundred yards from the Descanso Beach Club.
Soon after signing on the dotted line we were strapped into zip-lining gear and listening attentively to two instructor- guides who were prognosticating about the fun we were about to have zipping along several hundred feet above the ground, and tree topping at up to 45 miles per hour – in complete safety.
The guides can take 10 people in a party – we had seven. After our orientation, we loaded onto a waiting mini-bus for our ride to the top of the mountain, which is about 500 feet above sea level. With harness and gear in tow, we waddled from the bus to the waiting platform where we received some last minute instructions from Adam – our lead guide.
Adam demonstrated how our dual safety harness connections would be attached to the double pulley trolleys that are hooked up to the double ½" Galvanized steel aircraft cables. Then he showed us the proper way to jump off a platform into oblivion. He said that he would be waiting on the #2 platform below to put the brakes on our arrival. It was all very comforting.Adam "Bomb" as he liked to be called then hooked himself up to the double cable, and with a bellowing "Yahoooooo," leaped off the edge of the first station and sped toward the second platform that was about 500 feet away – and way down there. On decent, Adam looked like a bright orange and green bullet. Of course, in less than a minute he landed safely for the umpteenth time and got ready to receive the waiting Seven.
Tim Bolley, was Adam Bomb's congenial co-instructor and our sendoff guide. His job was to hook up each flyer's pulley to the decent cable, and check all the safety links. He did that for the first volunteer leaper, and walked him to the edge of the platform. Without hesitation, the first of seven jumped into the air and was off in a zing of singing cable. As promised, Adam safely stopped him on the platform below.
The views of the canyon and blue Pacific from the Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour are downright spectacular, and the guides are top-notch professionals. The total zip line length is 3,671 feet. You drop a total of 440 feet in elevation in the process. The time between the five consecutive platform stations differs because each ‘zip' trip is a different length. The shortest is 501 feet, the longest 1,045 feet.At each stop, the resourceful guides give funny dissertations on interesting island anecdotes and the flora and fauna of Catalina Island. The entire experience takes about two hours – and it is the most fun you can have attached to a cable.
As far as frightening, we can only say seven words: It-is-an-exciting-piece-of-cake. Both your reporters have more than a touch of acrophobia, and both of us felt extremely comfortable and secure in our dual safety harnesses. The device that locks you onto the two redundant decent cables looks and is far stronger than necessary to sustain you.
We can't wait for our next opportunity to fly through the trees on Catalina Island.
Some common sense precautions: Zip line participants are required to walk short distances, and descend stairs, so they need to exhibit average mobility and strength, and be in reasonably good health. Pregnant woman are not allowed. Generally, single ride participants should weigh at least 90 pounds and cannot weigh more than 245 pounds. Be sure to wear sturdy close-toed shoes.We recommend this year-round adventure for all ages that meet the physical criteria.
For more information, visit www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/tour_zipline.php or call 800.322.3434
Happy zipping!
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