Page 102 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

Go Ape

By Lance Corporal Natalie Williams

We were offered the
opportunity to join in a team Katie Mercer negotiating the High Ropes

cohesion day at Thetford
Tree Top Ariel adventure.
The site offered high ropes,
crossings, tunnels and epic
zip wires. For anyone who
was afraid of heights it would
be a test. As well as the Tree
Tops experience we would also
be given the chance to do a
Segway experience or Forest
Biking. As I got to the first zip slide I clipped on and were soon racing each other in circles.
and checked my carabineer about three We set off into the woods with our leader
times before taking my leap of faith. While and taken to an area with several different
Let Loose picking up speed it was exhilarating flying tracks to try out our new skills. It was great
through the trees and I even managed to fun darting in and out of the trees and
On arrival at Thetford. we were shown stay on my feet at the end. I waited for the going around corners and over bumps. As
to a private area in the woods where we others to descend looking at the mixture of we all got a bit more confident we started
could occupy for the day. We were briefed fear, fun and exhilaration across over their to take the more difficult tracks and by
about the harness and equipment for the faces. The sections seemed to get a little the end we were flying around after each
Tree Tops activity and how to get around more difficult as we went on; you could other. By the end we wanted to go around
the course safely using the attached choose different levels from moderate to again, but it was time to head back to the
carabineers. We were to be secured to the extreme. camp.
equipment at all times due to the height The whole experience of the day was
of the activity. Before being let loose we A Breather brilliant, we worked together as a team,
had to show our skills on the obstacles at tried something new and some people
ground level. After we all made it down successfully pushed themselves past their individual
from the Tree Tops we went back to our fears. Being up on the high ropes takes
Tree Tops area for a well deserved barbecue. Once you out of your comfort zone, but knowing
fed and watered we had a little relax that there is full instruction, and the kit
is well maintained it made for a fun and
The Tree Tops activity was split into five before the Mountain Biking and Segway exhilarating day out.
sections, each with different obstacles in ride.
varying difficulties ending in a zip wire.
We were shown how to complete section More Activities Riding the Segway
one and I volunteered to go first to show
the rest how safe the equipment was. Once The second half of the activity was either
I was through section one the rest of the Mountain Biking or a Segway ride. We
group followed. There were a few nerves, waved goodbye to three of the team as
but we all talked each other through. From they disappeared into the tree line on their
section two we had to climb further up bikes. The rest of us got our safety brief
into the tree line which further tested a few for the Segway experience. After being
nerves; up the first ladder and at first very shown how to use the Segway we had a
slowly proceeded along the rope bridge. little practice and all picked it up quickly

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