Even Mark Twain was encouraging us to go zip lining!

 

Tuesday, September 3, 2013...It was here!  Our much anticipated day to soar down a mountain on the world's LONGEST, HIGHEST, and FASTEST zip line in beautiful Icy Strait Point, Alaska.  Radiance had arrived at the inlet at 7:00 AM, and since there was no dock here, passengers would be taken to shore by a "tender" vessel.  After breakfast passengers were organized in the Aurora Theater by the cruise/tour schedule time .  Our 8:15 group walked to the tender vessel which held about 75, and were swiftly taken to the Icy Strait Point dock.  We walked up the plank to the welcome center and found the "Ziplander" registration area.  There we were given a two-page document to "sign our life away," accepting full responsibility for riding on their zip line!  We turned in our signed waiver, were weighed (that was scary enough), given a wrist band for a 9:00 trip, and told to report back there at 8:55.  We walked around some of the shops for awhile, and went outside to witness some early zip riders coming down the wires.  WOW, it was really HIGH and VERY FAST looking.  No turning back now. 

 

Former canning factory, now serves as a welcome center, mall,
and tour information center

Radiance of the Seas in Icy Strait Point Harbor...yellow tender vessel on left

 Now 8:55, it was time to meet our bus driver, Jimmy, who walked us out to the bus that would be taking us up the steep 9 mile road to the Ziprider load-in point.  Our bus driver, a native Tinglet, pointed out highlights of the small town, Hoonah, as we headed up the road.  There was "Mama's House," their local version of McDonald's, a Presbyterian Church, their school...which proudly had 9 graduates this spring, all headed to college.  Jimmy said sadly none will probably return to Hoonah as there are few opportunities for college graduates here.  Most of the people here depend on tourism in the summer season, and then logging in the off season.  Icy Strait Point has a mild climate, so no winter tourism here.  Jimmy also explained that NO cruise line would ever "own" the town or build large docks here the way they have done in other "cruise destination" cities...like Skagway or Ketchican.  This area would remain the property of the Native Tinglets who live here.  As we climbed the mountain road the views were extraordinary!  It was hard to believe that we would soon be soaring down this mountain on a wire!  Near the top Jimmy had to stop the bus to unlock the gate to their private road to the Ziprider drop off.  Soon we were getting off the bus for the short walk down to the load-in area.

View from the bus as we drive up the mountain of
Port Frederick

Still climbing up the mountain road to the Ziprider

Wonderful view of the harbor from the mountain summit

Is this the LAST time we'll see Pat, as we head down the path to Ziprider?

There was a young man driving a 4 wheel vehicle who offered to drive anyone down to the ride, but all of our group declined and began our walk.  Little did we know just how steep and winding this path would become...but we took our time and made it without a fall.  After a quick trip to the port-o-let (no one wanted to have an accident on the way down) we got into groups of six.  We were in the 5th group of 6, so we watched closely the safety procedures taken as each person was seated and buckled in to their Ziprider seats.  It was reassuring to see how careful each attendant was in preparing a guest for the "launch."  It was amazing to see how fast the riders "dropped" out of sight after leaving the gate.  Wow, this is going to be intense!

 

Our first view of the galley...I mean the launch site

Watching closely as attendants harness up Zipriders

Put your feet up on the release gate...then 3-2-1...ZZZZZIP!

That first step out the gate is a doozy!  Just over a mile to go...down!

 

 

Finally it was time for our group to go up onto the launch area.  Their were six wooden platforms in front of gates that would open all at once for us to zip down the mountain.  We each sat down in our sling-type seats, myself then Pat at the end.  Each person had an attendant providing you with instructions as they quickly fastened your safety harnesses.  I decided to just take a picture from the platform and not even try to take any pictures going down...I didn't want to loose my camera.  Pat's attendant tried to put a strap through his camera strap so that he could safely take pictures while zipping.  This took him so long that Pat said that he was literally snapped into the harness at the last second before the countdown.   With our feet pressed up against the gates the countdown was quick...3-2-1...the gates flew open....and we were OFF!   No time to even think about what was just happening.

My next to the last photo before heading down Ziprider

Telephoto shot of Port Frederick below me...the they said 3-2-1 go!

 

 

We dropped past the platform and began to soar over the tree tops.  Zipping down the thin wire, holding tightly to the straps of my seat, I tried to take in the awesome sights below...Port Frederick ahead, with our cruise ship looking like a toy boat bobbing in the sea.  I tried to breathe deeply and smell the cool, fresh air, scented with the fragrance of the spruce trees, over 300 feet below the wire.  As I reached speeds of up to 60 miles an hour, I turned to look for the other 5 zippers...especially Pat.  He was slightly behind me with a big grin (or was it a scream) on his face.  I kept turning sideways, so becoming more relaxed at this point, I stretched my arms out like a soaring bird, to help straighten out my flight pattern.  I love riding roller coasters, but zipping through the air suspended on a thin wire was the more intense than any coaster I've ever had the opportunity to ride.  Wow!  As I neared the end of the 5,800 foot ride, I braced myself for the "jolt" of the braking system, bounced at the end, and was quickly helped out of my seat.  I stopped at the exit to watch as Pat slid in for the finale. How exhilarating!  Pat & I can check zip lining off our "bucket list" now. 

 

 

Are you sure this wire will hold me?

Here's our official Ziprider photo...
Sorry, I can't get it rotate, so you'll have to turn
your head to see Pat's face as we speed down the line.

We walked into the Ziprider shop to be shown the photos that had just been taken of our "flight".  They were great...especially Pat's!  They printed our pictures, and we briefly talked about wanting to do it all again!  We also just had to buy t-shirts proudly proclaiming that we "Survived Ziprider"!  We went to a restaurant next to the shop and enjoyed an ice tea, as we relived our amazing zip lining experience.  We walked along the boardwalk, taking in some of the beautiful scenery and then shopped at the local "made in Alaska" shops at the harbor.

I SURVIVED ICY STRAIT POINT ZIPRIDER!

Our beautiful, Radiance of the Seas, waiting for us to return

 

 

 

 

Taking the tender vessel back to our ship, it was time for a late lunch and made plans to attend at Canadian Mountie's presentation at 4:00.  After resting and cleaning up we headed to the presentation.  The Canadian Mountie shared how he made this interesting career choice, told about his family's role in supporting him, and some adventures that he had in the remote Yukon area that he patrolled. 

 

 

Royal Canadian Mountie

RCMP crest

 

Time for dinner, and tonight I selected a roasted peach soup for a starter, Thai Chicken and rice entrée, and a delicious white chocolate moose for dessert.  I attended the "City of Dreams" show featuring the Radiance Singers and Dancers.  I found it very disappointing...mainly due to the lack of  any familiar songs.  To top off the evening we got together with Kathy & crew to recap our amazing Ziprider adventure and find out about their wildlife hike and tour.  It was a great way to conclude our adventurous day at Icy Strait Point.

 

Putu's towel monkey he created for us to enjoy tonight.
Does it remind you of our zip lining adventure?