11. Go Zip Lining

On a trip to the city my Dad surprised us, and took my family zip lining. In Calgary, Alberta there are three large ski jumps on the hillside, which were used for the 1988 Winter Olympics.  Today the biggest of the jumps is no longer used for ski jumping, but has been converted to the start of one of the three zip lines located at Canada Olympic Park.  I started with a ride down the training line, it is short, and simply to get the hang of what it it feels like, and to learn how to stop.  The first photo is of my Dad, and I at the top of the first zip line.

The second photo is the view from the base looking up at the big ski jump where the largest of the zip lines starts.  The last picture I took from the ski jump, just before I went over the edge.  I had no clue what to expect when I learned that I was going zip lining.  It started with putting on these awkward harnesses, then going out to the long cord. After my harness was attached to the line a latch was pulled, and meters above the ground I went hurtling down the hill.  For the longest run there was a small parachute I had to throw out behind me, to slow myself down.  The ride was exhilarating, though I think I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't as worried about throwing the parachute, or getting into the position the rider should be in when they reach the end.  Hopefully I'll get to try zip lining again, next time I'm thinking over a rainforest.