Entering TreeTops Canopy Tour for ziplining.
what I’m proud to say is a perfect landing. A beginner no more, I’m now thrilled to do it again and again. That’s because my TreeTops Canopy Tour with the Adventures on the Gorge outdoor resort includes traversing 10 ziplines, five treetop rope bridge walks, and three short hikes, all made easy—and safe—thanks to my guides whose first priority is to tether guests to safety cables for each trek. “There’s still a sense of adventure even after all these times,” says guide Matthew Cook. “Every trip is different.” Adventures on the Gorge skirts the edges of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the country’s newest national park established in December 2020 with the redesignation of what was the New River Gorge National River. Located near Fayetteville, the park and preserve’s total area stretches 53 miles along the New River (despite the name, one of the world’s oldest rivers) while encompassing more than 70,000 acres of forested canopy within its dramatically sloping river valley. With tranquil lakes, challenging whitewater rapids, and crisscrossing trails leading to commanding views, the park has become one of the state’s premier recreational spots for hiking, fishing, rock climbing, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding and, yes, ziplining.
Ziplining at Adventures on the Gorge.
VISIT SOUTHERNWEST VIRGINIA Story and Photos by Richard Varr
A thin mist shrouds the treetops as the rising sun starts to filter through the dense forest. It’s just after 8 a.m. and my pace along the trail begins to hasten as we head to the adventure I’ve been anticipating all week. The air is fresh; the coolness, crisp and my nerves—well, shaky. That’s because I’m going to jump off a treetop canopy high above the forest floor for the first time Yes, it’s my first time ziplining, and it seems that the natural beauty of this Southern West Virginia forest with its towering hemlock, magnolia, silver maple and black birch trees is a great introduction. Strapped in a secure harness, I hear the clinks of the safety gear as my guide hooks me to the two overhead zipline cables between the trees. And then comes the command: “Go!” I take the courageous step and my glide builds speed, with the zipping sound of my pulley wheels quickly intensifying. What seems like only several seconds later, my speed diminishes as I reach the next treetop platform with
VISIT SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
COAST TO COAST SPRING MAGAZINE 2022
29
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online