Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Canopy XL in Huilo-Huilo

These animals are the Huemul, or the Southern Andean Deer. The only time we saw these endangered animals was at the Huilo-Huilo animal park.

Our last day at Huilo-Huilo we set aside 2 1/2 hours to experience Canopy XL. This is one of the longest and highest zip line courses in South America, with over 1600 meters of cable crossings.

From the starting platform, we couldn't see the end of the first cable the fog was so thick.

The first section was the longest at 500 meters, but it was just 65 meters down to the bottom of the ravine we had to cross.

It was like entering the Twilight Zone.

Susan glides across the first half kilometer of cable.

She's weak in the knees, but smiling.

The second section, "El Abismo", is the highest at 90 meters, but only 180 meters long.

Our guide was the builder of Canopy XL and he crossed the abyss first.

Here the assistant guide connects Henry's safety harness to the cable.

Henry encourages Milton before the next crossing.

This long section passes over a waterfall named Danger Falls.

Rebecca makes the crossing over the falls.

The little blue spot gliding 60 meters over Danger Falls is Henry.

Between each section of cable we hiked a trail through the ancient forest. In all, there are 1200 meters of trail connecting the five zip lines.

Cristian shows good form.

James glides into the landing.

This section of the trail crossed over a ridge on a log stairway.

If it had been a clear day we could have seen Volcan Villarica from the next section of cable.

Henry and Cristian waiting their turn on the platform.

Henry "no hands" on the last section.

Richard glides home.

Our group photo at the end of the course.

No comments:

Post a Comment