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| - This was my second time doing Go Ape, and I had a phenomenal time. I went with my cousins (we're between 18 and 21), and all of us had a great experience. The park it was in was beautiful - I highly suggest either arriving early or planning on staying later to do some walking around. On the way, we got a little bit lost and ended up arriving late (about 10 minutes). We called ahead and they said the earliest they could get us in was 2.5 hours later. When we actually got there, though, they were able to still get us in with the group!!
The training is very thorough. You start on the ground to learn how to connect all of your things up, then you go to a small platform (less than 10 feet off the ground) to practice again and get the feel for the zipline. During the first set of crossings, the instructor is on the ground to answer any questions (most of which seemed to be "Is this right? Am I hooked up right?"). After that, you're on your own! (Although there are instructors wandering around the park).
While it is a physical activity, you don't have to be in excellent shape to get through the course. My sister, who is a collegiate athlete, did have an easier time than me, but there was never a time that I thought "I can't do this". The most physically demanding part is probably the Tarzan Swing, where you fly into a net and have to climb the net up to the platform. While we were there, one of the younger kids in front of us was having trouble, and the instructor was able to use a pulley to help him climb up. In our group, there were also people who didn't seem like they were in great shape, but they still had a good time! And since the course isn't one long thing, but rather 5 sets, if you do get tired you can also sit one out and watch the rest of the group.
You can also go at your own pace. If you're worried that you're holding the people behind you back, you can always offer to let them pass you.
The staff was really friendly and helpful, and they all seemed to be very knowledgeable about what they're doing. Something I thought was awesome was that while we were doing training, they said that if you didn't think you'd be able to do the course, or that you wouldn't be able to be responsible for a child you were with, you could get a refund. I'd assume that once you actually started the course ou wouldn't get any refund, but I was surprised that if you were too scared before you started, you'd still get your money back.
Things to be aware of when you're visiting:
-The only bathrooms I saw were porta-potties.
-There's nowhere that sells food, but by the end of the course you'll probably be hungry. There are some picnic tables right by the entrance to the course, so I highly suggest packing a lunch and enjoying the park!
-If you have really sensitive hands, bring gloves. I started to get a little rope burn.
My cousins and I had a fantastic time, and as I'll be living in Pittsburgh next year, I'm hoping to return!!
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