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Published: January 27th 2013
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While on our Easter 2012 Maui vacation, the Wife and I wanted to try zip-lining. I have to admit that the only thing remotely resembling this that I'd done, was on what we in Australia call a "Flying Fox" and this was at a now-defunct lion safari park near Newcastle. It was only a rope suspended between two trees about 50m apart, with a pulley block suspending another piece of rope that you grab onto and a 'friend" would then drag you along. Excitement level of 1/10.
Being always up for some fun and adventure, this "zip-lining" stuff looked damned interesting. I did a bit of keyboard research and finally selected Piiholo Ranch as the place to try. We asked our 11 other traveling companions and we had 3 takers - all women. The others failed on physical limitations and lack of interest. Booze and Bungers (beer & cigarettes) are apparently more appealing.
It was a nice drive to Piiholo from our accommodation at Lahaina. Piiholo village is a Hawaiian cowboy town at the base of Haleakala, Maui's dormant volcano. You can reach it by the highway from Kahalui, or from Paiia on Maui's North
Shore. The Paiia route would be the nicest drive, as it's a small winding, country road with picturesque buildings and churches along the way. Piiholo village is quite busy and you should be careful, because of it's narrow streets and the locals' love of large pickups.
Piiholo Ranch is just outside the village in a eucalyptus forest. Upon arrival, we checked in, were weighed and then given a detailed waver form to fill out. Don't blame us if you disappear down a ravine! This took about 15mins, then we were issued our "gear" plus shown/assisted on how to put it on and adjust it for comfort/safety. Kind of like wearing military-issue incontinence pants, with a motor racing harness over the top. A couple of mandatory Happy Snaps and we were ready to zipline Mt Everest. Er, maybe not quite.
First obstacle to overcome was a suspension bridge from the car park to the grassy field beyond. Easy peasy, as the thing is very secure and only off the ground several feet. It's a formidable structure, looks very impressive and does wiggle a bit, so I suppose that it's used to weed out those people
that would be freaked out later. After the bridge we all assembled for a quick verbal instruction course on what to do and what to expect on our first ride. How to speed up, how to slow down, how not to kick the person in the face that's trying to catch you at the other end!
The 1st take-off is at the top of a square wooden tower with several flights of stairs. This zip-line has 4 separate lines, so 4 can ride at once to increase the fun. It's not a long run, but for a novice, it's about as much thrill you want the first time. I must say, that the first time you take off you are apprehensive about lifting up your feet to depart at that height.
Immediately you're on the line you forget any fears and it's all FUN! Yep, you forget any fear, forget slowing down, forget about your feet taking out the poor guy catching you, the lot! You're suspended for a few seconds after you stop as they bring in portable steps for you to stand on, then they detach you from the lines. Walking to
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Gearing up the nearby waiting area, you're just a bundle of adrenalin and smiles.
The next zip-line requires walking (climbing?) up a steep suspension bridge two at a time. Fun and freaky! Once up there, the landing is only large enough for the staff and two zip-liners, so you wait on the bridge, hanging onto the ropes and low door. Okay, your turn. Now you're talking! This is 2-line from now on and it traverses a tree-lined ravine. The surroundings are beautiful and the ride is terrific. I let the Wife take off about 1 second before me, to grab some photos with my DSLR. Worked out excellent.
Next line was similar to the first and I was loving it. All the girls were having an absolute blast as well, if the smiles and laughter were any gauge.
The 4th line was somewhat higher, featuring a flight of wooden steps, two suspension bridges and a final large landing with a bih hole in the floor compete with a cargo net cover for those brave souls to walk across. The line itself went through the trees and to a large landing platform on the
far side. What a great ride trough the trees.
Unfortunately, it was all over way too soon. We had booked the 4-line tour, as there were no vacancies for the more-popular 5-line tour. Wished I'd booked a few weeks in advance now. We thanked the staff who'd been so friendly and helpful, the it was back to Lahaina to rejoin the others and tell of our adventure.
My advice about ziplining? Do your investigation and choose a well respected company in the particular environment you prefer. A friend zip-lined near Ka’anapali later in the year and regretted not using Piiholo, because of the lack of vegetation on the west mountains. He said the ocean views were good, but there was no experience of cruising the treetops, which he was after. That tour may suit others that would prefer the ocean views over vegetation. “Horses for courses”. Main thing is to be sure that the company you use are well experienced and SAFE.
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