Getting Ready to Canyon

I learned two things today.  The first is that I can indeed jump off an eleven metre platform into a fast moving river.  The second is that I cannot drive/ride a quad atv to save my life.

Early this morning we headed to the canyon to do some repelling.  We did a couple of rapels, then we did some jumps into the river.  One was considered a technical jump.  This meant that you had to jump in the correct spot.  We also did a Tarzan swing.

The finale to this activity was the high jump at the end.  It was all we could talk about the night before when we booked the activity.  Any of us could easily have chickened out.  We did not.  I have some awesome photos and videos, but I cannot put them up here yet.  Maybe I will post some on Instagram–don’t forget to check there.

After a fantastic lunch provided by the tour operator, we headed back to the hotel.  I had a two pm activity booked, and they were to pick us up at the hotel.

We were picked up in an interesting vehicle and driven to the ATV course.  After very quick training we mounted the beasts and then the problems began.  Either due to tiredness or complete lack of skills (I suspect the latter, but might try and claim this former) I was unable to keep the quad on the track and unable to maintain a constant speed.

The tour operators though I best I be a passenger.  The downsizing was a brutal blow to my self esteem.  The upside was that I survived and I got a much better ride than I could have done.  My driver took me off the track and raced aroind at incredible speeds.  I could never have done that.

It was an exhilarating, but dust ride that left me covered with dust inside and out.

I doubt I would ever do it again….. maybe.