MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Summer 2018

30 ML BLUE SUMMER 2018 I arrived at Blue Mountain Village on a hazy morning in late spring and headed to Base Camp to get geared up for a morning of high- rise bridge crossing, ladder climbing and zip lining. But to my surprise the Timber Challenge, an outdoor high ropes course at Blue Mountain Resort, turned out to be much more than just an obstacle course in the air. After getting fitted for my harness and helmet, I headed to the main tower of the Timber Challenge for ground school training. Once safely clipped in, I made my way up the tower ladder to the first platform. The courses are ranked by difficulty like runs on a ski hill—green, blue and black. And just like skiing, you need to be comfortable on beginner green before refining your skills on intermediate blue or advanced black. The courses are set to varying heights off the forest floor and are comprised of elements, situated between platforms, built out of materials such as rope, wood and metal. The platforms give you a chance to take a break, refocus and continue onto the next element. Staff monitor participants and give you the go- ahead to move onto more challenging courses once you successfully complete a green course. I clipped onto the cable at the first element, a wooden suspension bridge, and trusted that my rock climbing experience would subdue the uneasiness that comes with being at height. The more challenging sections of the Timber Challenge are as high as 60 feet above the ground. However, that initial fear of falling was quickly subdued once I got a feel for the use of the harness and personal safety system. Participants are always attached onto a rope or cable by two carabiners. The Timber Challenge is not only physically demanding but will also challenge you mentally and emotionally. In spite of all the failsafe measures, you may begin to question your safety at times—these feelings are exactly what a high ropes course is meant to provoke. As you 10 Like rock climbing, you will be so absorbed with completing an element that you won’t have a chance to think about much else. Timber Challenge High Ropes MICROTRIPS