We had initially dismissed this idea because it wasn’t cheap, but after further consideration we decided we just couldn’t pass it up. This tour is kind of hard to explain, but definitely a once in a lifetime experience. When I first read the description, I assumed they had rigged up some rope bridges and things between the tops of trees and you just walked around above the ground – it turned out to be a lot cooler than that. They had multiple platforms attached to the hillside and some trees, but to get between them we rode ziplines.

First, we got in a bus and rode the majority of the way up a mountain which was somewhat of an adventure in and of itself. We got to a little pavilion and the tour crew outfitted each person with a harness, helmet, and some caribiners and pulleys I don’t know a name for. After a short hike down we had a safety briefing and we were off to the first platform. There were about six guides on the crew, so a few went across to the next platform, while others stayed back to hook up each persons equipment to the cables. Since they did everything for your, there really wasn’t much chance of any problems.

There were a total of nine sections, with one really steep part, and one vertical drop. Amber was pretty nervous about the whole thing, but after the first and second sections, she was feeling a lot better about it. Then we came to the steepest drop, which was a little scarier than the rest. The way they had things rigged up, they could easily control the speed of our descent. Amber was third and she made it down with just a scream. When it was my turn, though, I don’t think the guy below was ready for me. The platform was wrapped around a tree and wasn’t very wide, so I ended up hitting the trunk pretty hard. Luckily, I had my legs in a good position to absorb the impact with my feet. It was a pretty good jolt, but I wasn’t hurt. I think the guy felt pretty bad because he asked me if I was OK about four times before he let me go.

The vertical drop was pretty funny. They let the first few people down nice and easy, but when Amber got up there, they let her free fall the majority of the way and caught her a few feet above the ground. After watching her go, I was ready for it.

The last section was something over 600 feet and even though the ride only lasted a few seconds it was pretty sweet. I was able to snap this picture of Amber as she came down the line.

They snapped a few pictures of each of us, and put them on CDs along with a video of what a trip down the line is like. Here’s a taste. Anyway, the other people in our group all agreed the whole thing was pretty crazy, but totally awesome. One couple even bought us each a bear when we were finished!

Edit: Pictures in the Canopy Tour set.