“Zip On!”

My first blog details not only a first for me, but also a first for Kentucky.  On Monday, July 22, 2010, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for Mammoth Cave Adventures in Cave City, Kentucky highlighting the Commonwealth’s first zip line canopy tour.  The event was enhanced by the presence of our First Lady, Jane Beshear.  After a few speeches and many words of gratitude, it was time to get down to business.  Zip-liners are split up into groups of 5-8 people.  The zip line course itself is a series of 5 separate, connecting sections.  Each section has a wooden platform to stand on as you wait for other members of the group, and provide an anchored point for users to be clipped onto.   The lines range in height, length, and speed, with the fastest section spanning 900+ ft. and reaching top speed of around 35 mph.  You become more accustom to handling your direction and landing as they go on through the course.  Personally, I didn’t get the hang of it until the 5th and final section, but others mastered it much quicker.

At the start of the day I noticed what I thought to be an excessively large staff.  It soon became apparent that it is absolutely necessary to have that many employees because users must be instructed, fitted for gear, clipped on to safety guide wires, attached to the zip line, sent and received at each platform.  The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely safety conscience.  They definitely enhanced the experience.

Shane Bull is the owner/operator of Mammoth Cave Adventures, which offers guided horseback rides and camping along with the zip-line.  It is a family affair in Hart County and Cave City as Shane’s parents own nearby Mammoth Cave Canoe and Kayak and the Wayfarer Inn B&B.  So, if you find yourselves near Mammoth Cave and looking for something to do- I would highly recommend stopping by and seeing the Bulls and what they have to offer.
“Zip On”!

Seth Wheat, North Central Region

Mammoth Cave Adventures
(270)-773-6087
www.mammothcave-adventures.com