I’ve just finished up with an incredible four-day trip through Interlaken, Switzerland and feel like I’m only just now catching my breath. Myself and six othera were participating in a pre-summit trip for the Adventure Travel World Summit currently being held in Lucerne, Switzerland. I decided on the high difficulty option with a variety of activities, most of them completely out of my comfort zone. Was I terrified? Yes. Did I absolutely love every second? YES.
We started our trip in Interlaken at the Seilpark Interlaken rope park, a forested wonderland of ziplines and rope courses for all ages. After a brief safety talk we got to explore the park on our own. Rope park courses abound in Switzerland, it being a popular day activity for families and folks of all ages. I hadn’t been on a rope park since I was a kid. I loved scrambling around and testing my fear of heights. It doesn’t matter what age you are-ziplining never gets old.
The next day we braved canyoning the Chli Schliere, one of the most challenging canyons to explore in Switzerland. Canyoning consists to jumping, sliding and rappelling down a narrow river canyon to areas inaccessible any other way.
The first jump was 30 feet, though standing above the rushing waterfall it felt like closer to 50 feet. “On the first jump, there can be no maybe-either yes or no, ” our guide Sashal said. “You can’t hesistate. You just jump. And then you’re committed.” I got to the edge, looked over, and leaped without a second thought.
Canyoning turned out to be my favorite part of the whole trip, and furthermore will go down as the most padding I’ve ever worn for a day sport.
Our 6-hour hike from the Schniyge Platte to Grindelwald was worthy of a rendition of Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. Standing in the midst of the Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch mountains I found myself in a state of complete awe and wonder. I was caught off guard by the Alps, and just how much they took my breath away. I blame the altitude. 🙂
Post hike we decided we needed to scare ourselves silly with the canyon jump, an 85 meter (280 feet) swing through a narrow canyon cut from a river.
I don’t like to wait around if I’m doing something that scares me; I want to face it and get it done. I opted for jumping first, not wanting to get more nervous by watching others jump. I stepped up to the ledge. I stepped back. “I need a countdown.” I stated, half realizing it for myself and asking it from my friends. “3, 2, 1!” I did my best spiderman impression and jumped off the ledge. Immediately I began to scream, and continued to wail for the full swing and return swing. I screamed like I’ve never screamed before. It was exhilirating, shocking, and an absolute ball. <iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/AfYbu_QDk5U?list=UUFxgNgH5RczKa61EWOHjbEg&hl=en_US” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
From now on, I will think of Switzerland not only for its’ beautiful mountains, quaint villages and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate, but the high adventure and high fun factor the country can offer.
Many thanks to Interlaken Tourism, Alpin Raft, and the Jungfrau Region Tourism for hosting me on this fantastic trip.