High Adventure

We woke to a thick blanket of smoke covering Tathra from another bushfire - this one located in Namadgi National Park and started from an army helicopter that was conducting activities to help control bushfires if one was to ignite!! An unfortunate situation as the landing gear sparked, and a fire took hold and was quickly out of control bearing down on the outskirts of Canberra. The weather conditions forecast for the weekend were abysmal putting everyone on high alert. Although it was slightly cooler in Tathra, we were out early trying to beat the heat. Again a run / coffee / crocheting session began the day.

 

Our main activity this morning was to take the Tree Climb Challenge at Magic Mountain. Advertised as a high ropes course where one climbs amongst the trees, flies over the park negotiating rope bridges, high wires and wooden obstacles along the way.

Arriving at the scheduled time, we were fitted with harnesses and given a safety briefing including the  intricacies of moving between elements. Then we were off. My task was to shadow Ella (or try to keep up!) while Andy accompanied Katy.

We began on the easiest course that had 4 flying foxes with the longest traversing some 100+m. I must say the initial ladder climb up was nerve racking as was the first launch off the platform on to the flying fox.

The next course had more interesting elements to negotiate. We were glad to be up high as we watched the staff members below track and capture a tiger snake!! The only way to descend from this course was via a 6m drop, where you stepped off the platform to free fall a metre before the rope engaged and slowed your descent.

The final course was again harder. The elements were fun but the real test was the 13m drop. On reaching the end and looking down both Ella and I decided we couldn't do it. Luckily another mum came up behind us and after a few seconds took the plunge. We subsequently followed with Andy and Katy close behind. All up the ropes course took us 2 hours and was great, challenging fun and will be remembered for a long time!

 

Here is Katy barely paused before stepping off the 13m drop!! Impressive!!

All sweaty and exhausted, we were ready to cool off! As the main beach looked like a washing machine, we headed for the sheltered harbour of Kianinny boat ramp where we swam over a big string ray!