Zip Line at Icy Strait Point, Alaska

[KySongDog]

On June 15, 2010 when the ship anchored at Icy Strait Point (a population of about 800)  I was wondering what there would be to do.   I soon found out that the locals had built the "Worlds Longest and Fastest Zip Line" to snag some bucks from the cruise line tourists. (me   )


Being the adrenaline junkie that I am, I had to try it.  I couldn't talk my wife in to it (too scary she said)  so I handed over the loot to the local ticket seller and got on the bus for the 45 minute 6 mile ride to the top of the mountain.  Five riders go on five lines at the same time.

Here are the stats:

5,330 feet long

1,320 feet drop in elevation

60 mph top speed  ( my arse!  I KNOW I hit 70 or 80 cause I passed everyone in my 5 man group)  

This was a REAL rush!!     

And you ride about 300 feet over some very big Alaska trees.



[smg id=410 type=av]

[Silencer]

what a rush, the kids and I would love that 

[FinsnFur]

CHEESE N RICE!!! Man if that thing malfunctioned and dumped ya, you wouldnt feel a thing.

It looked like a couple people got hung up out over top the tree's. Can that happen?

[cb223]

That looks like an absolute riot I'm jealous 

[KySongDog]

CHEESE N RICE!!! Man if that thing malfunctioned and dumped ya, you wouldnt feel a thing.

It looked like a couple people got hung up out over top the tree's. Can that happen?

Naw, they weren't hung up.  They were moving about 60 mph but I was over taking and passing them.  I think I had more mass than they did so gravity was pulling me a wee bit harder.  

If the cable broke you would have a second or two to kiss your butt good bye before you hit the trees at 70 mph.    

[iahntr]

Right on Semp !  Looks like a blast !

[Hawks Feather]

Man Semp that was quite a ride.  At least you weren't yelling like that guy that we heard in the video.   

Jerry

[KySongDog]

Man Semp that was quite a ride.  At least you weren't yelling like that guy that we heard in the video.   

Jerry

   

[pitw]

   Im tired and I'm dirty and I opened that video for Bob and I, while giving the wife the play by play of this story .   


                    Semp that was absolutely wonderful footage that we enjoyed thoroughly  .  I explained the gravity part to the family .  There are so many questions but I gotta know was that thing you were filming before you left your parachute?
     Good camera and camera work as well my good man .

[FinsnFur]

That was you filming that?
I thought you found a clip on a site demonstrating the zip line you visited.

Well hell, that makes it even better

[KySongDog]

    There are so many questions but I gotta know was that thing you were filming before you left your parachute?
   

Yeah, I was number 4.  I was checking out that harness pretty close to see if my big butt was going to stay in it on the way down.   

They had six positions numbered 1 through 6 but only had cables set up on positions 2 though 6.  Position number 1 had no cable.  So I got to thinking "Was that on purpose or did the cable break and some poor slob got an Alaskan tree rammed up his rear?"  That is when I started checking out that red number 4 harness.   

[KySongDog]

That was you filming that?

I got a new video camera for the trip. It is a Panasonic SDR-S26 with 70X optical zoom.   I have never filmed before so most of the six hours of footage that I took is rough.  (Definitely not up to Richard's standards   )  I am going to be putting up various film clips over the next few days - weeks as I learn how to edit it and condense it.    

[HaMeR]

  You got er done in 1min 13seconds Semp!! Damn you was flying down there!!    That was cool!! 

[pitw]

  Just wondering Semp   What do new underwear cost in Alaska .  I watched that video more times than any other I've seen and y conclusion is that you are certifiable  .

[Tappen]

ahahah, oh jeebus! "IM winnin! WOOOOO! im winnin!!!" haha ya sound like a little kid, it made me laugh man, thanks for sharing.

[Frogman]

WOW!!

Jim