Up, up and away
Zip lining offers bird’s-eye perspective of the High Country 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Early morning tours are available by request and are subject to availability. For more information on Hawksnest Ziplines, click to www.hawksnestzipline.com or call (828) 963-6561.
BY JAMIE SHELL
I
n the midst of a global pandemic, officials recommend spending more time in the great outdoors, enjoying pleasant days and breathing fresh air. Now, imagine following that advice while soaring above the gorgeous scenery of the High Country, with the summer greenery or autumn foliage rushing by as you approach speeds of 50 miles per hour. While this unique perspective may sound like something from a dream, a number of zip line tours in the High Country region promises visitors high-speed adventures, safely taking in scenery from above. Safety is a primary concern at zip line operations in the region, so all participants are required to wear the appropriate harnesses, head protection and supplemental gear while participating on tours. As for the current pandemic, zip line tours are committed to following the required sanitation and personal protection equipment protocols as provided from the local, state and federal authorities. Several zip lines serve the High Country, including Hawksnest Zipline in Seven Devils, Sky Valley Zip Tours of Blowing Rock, and Boone’s High Gravity Adventures.
HAWKSNEST ZIPLINE
Hawksnest Zipline offers the largest zip lining facility in the area, with 20 zip lines and four mega zips, ensuring a high adventure zip line canopy tour. Mega zips at Hawksnest feature trips that travel a distance more than 1,500 feet long and 200 feet high. Zip lines cover more than four miles of terrain 72
SKY VALLEY ZIP TOURS
PHOTO SUBMITTED High Gravity Adventure guide Ruthie Nathan shows off some nifty moves on the new Zipline Tour.
and reach speeds up to 50 mph. “You just can’t just zip line anywhere with this kind of terrain and views,” said Hawksnest President Lenny Cottom. The most popular tour at Hawksnest, located at 2058 Skyland Drive in Seven Devils, is the Hawk Tour. This is a great experience for first-timers, according to Hawksnest staff. During the 1.5-mile tour, riders will utilize 11 cables and two swinging bridges and venture more than 1,500 feet over woodlands and streams. This tour is $70 per person and has a weight capacity up to 250 pounds for a participant, and lasts between 1.5 and two hours. Riders must be at least five years of age, and riders can possess a waist no greater than 40 inches. “It’s going to spend more time doing scenic things,” Cottom said. “It’s going to go over the trees, in between the trees and go over lakes and creeks.” Complementing the Hawk Tour, Hawksnest also offers a slightly longer,
nine-cable package called the Eagle Tour. Fly over almost three miles on nine cables on this exhilarating zipline tour featuring cables more than 2,000 feet long. Travel at speeds up to 50 mph over trees and creeks. The Eagle Tour costs $80, and children must be at least 8 years old to ride. Riders also cannot weigh more than 220 pounds or less than 80 pounds, nor have a waist larger than 40 inches. “With zip line, you don’t have the roller coaster effect where there’s a big drop,” Cottom said. “You just slide off instead of jumping off and the ground just drops away from you.” Reservations are required for Hawksnest zip line tours, and guests are asked to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled tour start. Tours take about one and a half to two hours to complete. Staff recommends that riders have some zipline experience before trying the Eagle Tour. Tours begin at 10 a.m. daily, with tours taking place at 10 a.m., noon,
Ascending more than 300 feet and covering more than 140 acres, Sky Valley Zip Tours provides some of the most aesthetically satisfying zip line tours that can be found. With a line traveling more than 1,600 feet, Sky Valley offers a one-of-a-kind adventure that takes guests in and above the trees. In addition to the nine zip lines offered, Sky Valley, located at 634 Sky Ranch Road in Blowing Rock, offers other activities including cliff jumping, a swinging bridge, waterfalls and more. “We’re not a huge company compared to some of the big boys out there, but we provide the absolute best experience for a family that’s coming up here to be in the Mountains,” Sky Valley owner/ operator Jack Sharp said. “People really get to experience some of that awe that is the Appalachian mountains.” Currently, all employees and guests are required to wear face coverings while at Sky Valley Zip Tours and throughout their zip line tour due to COVID-19 precautions. Visitors are welcome to provide their own as long as it is compatible with CDC recommendations and the business’s equipment. If a guest don’t bring one, coverings will have them available at their store. In addition, Sky Valley will be utilizing touch-free/contactless payment SEE ZIP ON PAGE 74
SUMMER TIMES 2021
