Zip lining on Haleakala, Maui

I’m afraid of heights, it’s never been my thing. So naturally I went zip lining when I was on Maui. Hanging from a wire in a tiny harness high up in the air and speeding along at speeds around 50-60 km/h. Of course that’s what you do when you’re afraid of heights. And so I did, on Maui. 

It was originally my sister’s idea I think, and although I really am afraid of heights, I also know the only way get less scared is to challenge myself and do scary things anyway. Or, you know, try anyway. So zip lining we decided to do, found a course, booked it and drove up the mountain. 

We walked across this to get to some of the lines, funsies

We found our guides and after signing a release and waiver of liability, saying it’s not their  fault if I get hurt or die for any reason on their trip (very reassuring when I’m already worried about the heights), we got on our way. And let me tell you, just stepping off a platform when there’s a 15 meter drop right in front of you is scary. I did it though (and screamed), and it was SO MUCH FUN! The first line wasn’t that long, but my legs were shaking afterwards. At the same time as it was one of the coolest things I’ve done. Ever. 

We did 5 lines on this course, the lines getting progressively longer and higher up. I wish there were more and I want to do it again. Even though it continued to be rather scary to step out into the air and hope the harness and line would hold. The last line was especially scary, as the line was quite slack as well as the point where you landed was a lot lower than the starting point. Meaning you fell literally straight down for 5-10 meters when you first stepped off, as you had to get that far down for the line to hold you. That was pretty terrifying, even though it only lasted some few seconds. And I’d love to do it again. Logic? Not much. 

I survived!

The guides we had were awesome by the way! Seriously, not only did they know their stuff well, they were really nice guys who actually seemed to care about their customers. So many places in Hawaii I felt like people, them being guides, waiters or others, were so forced with their politeness. What’s the point in saying things like “how are you?” in an uninterested tone and with a big fake smile when everyone knows you couldn’t care less and probably doesn’t even listen to the answer? I know I would rather they be quiet than this fake, forced friendliness all the time. But, thankfully, these two guides we had at Skyline Adventures were not like that, at all. It was absolutely wonderful! They talked with us of course, but they were actually interested, listening, coming with questions and joking with us. It felt more like they were doing it because they wanted to, not because we paid for it. And there were no pushing us to buy stuff, which was just about EVERYWHERE else, even though they sold pictures, sweaters and various other items at their store. They just said “there’s gonna be a photographer at the next line, you can buy the pictures if you want”, and that was it! No trying to convince us to buy it or anything. It made the whole experience so much better.

We did buy the pictures, but then, they were really good pictures and they weren’t that expensive.

Have you tried zip lining? Or would you like to?