What would it be like to fly in the air with your family and friends? What can you expect from the adrenaline-pumping trend of rope-swinging?
Preparing for your high ropes course
Be Prepared
There are many aerial adventure parks. They’re also known as adventure parks or high rope courses. You might have to cross a rope, or shuffle over a log. Or you could even jump from one platform into another. Some parks have you 10 feet above the ground while others are 60 feet. Others will change their elevation as you move forward. You can choose to walk, crawl, swing, or climb your way through the course. For High Ropes, visit www.270climbing.com/high-ropes
You should only go to courses that have been approved by the industry. These require you to wear closed-toed shoes, such as trainers or hiking boots, and a harness system. It’s okay to wear shorts but you’ll feel more comfortable wearing loose trousers. You’ll need to step into the harness, wrap it around your waist, and shimmy it up your legs. The lanyard will then connect you to the ropes of the course. Tie back your long hair if you have it.
Difficulty levels and pacing yourself
What to Expect
Each adventure park offers a variety of courses that are rated by difficulty. The courses might be marked in different colours. A green track is the one you should begin on. The green track is designed to make you feel comfortable, even if your fear of heights is high. Red is the most advanced colour, while black is the hardest. Remember that you are not racing against the clock and can go as slow or as fast as you like. Some courses use safety systems which prevent people from passing, so you will have to keep up with the other participants.
Summary
This article explains what to expect at a high ropes or aerial adventure course. It advises going only to industry-approved courses, wearing closed-toed shoes and a proper harness system, and describes how courses are rated by colour-coded difficulty, from a beginner-friendly green track up to the hardest black track, reassuring visitors that they can move at their own pace rather than racing against others.
Questions this article raises
- What happens if someone gets stuck partway through a course?
- Is there a minimum age or fitness level for high ropes courses?
- How much does a typical session at an aerial adventure park cost?
