other guide waits to remove the pulleys. Once all participants have properly secured their harnesses and helmets to themselves, they take a short ride to the first zip lines on a painted vintage Blue Bird school bus, which adds to Zip KC’s quirkiness. Before they get on the bus, participants have to write down nicknames for each other on the fronts of their helmets. No one knows what nickname they’ve been given until the tour guides shout them out while attaching their pulleys to the zip lines. The guides refer to each zip liner by their given nickname throughout the duration of the tour. My nickname was DC Comics character Lois Lane, journalist for the fictitious Metropolis newspaper and Superman’s love interest. “I think the nametags make it a more relaxing environment instead of just going by your first name,” Snyder said. “It’s another way to help
people escape.” Safety is the tour guides’ priority. No one is forced to participate in all of the zip lines and all of the towers are accessible by car. A manager is always on duty for zip liners needing assistance. People of all ages are welcome to zip line as long as they weigh between 70-275 pounds and meet certain health requirements. Everyone has to sign a medical waiver and check their weight on a scale before they can tour. Pregnant women cannot participate. Tour guides encourage zip liners to get creative with their moves and poses while flying down the cables. I enjoyed kicking my feet as if I were riding a bicycle while laying my body horizontally, as well as dropping all of my weight down on the cables while splaying out my arms and feet.
I plan on going back to Zip KC with friends. Zip-lining may be more expensive than other activities in the metro, but it’s worth experiencing at least once. All that’s required is a sense of humor and a desire to have fun. For information on zip line packages and to make a reservation, visit zipkc.com or call 913- 214-9478. Another zip line option in Kansas City is Go Ape Zip Line & Treetop Adventure at Swope Park. Visit goape.com/Location/MIssouri/ KansasCity for more information. ^
Bottom right: Cameron Snyder (left) and Bryce Loewenstein (right), two tour guides for Zip KC. All of Zip KC’s tour guides go through special training to assist zip liners.
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34 VINTAGEKC SUMMER 2018
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