The pros and cons of zip lining

You might have seen zip lines used on television shows like "Survivor" or perhaps, a friend came back from holiday raving about the canopy tours she took. Riding a zip line is a way of getting from one place to another, but more than that, they're alpine adventures. This article will highlight the pros and cons of zip lining.

Section one

Definition
A zip line is a means of transporting people or goods from one spot to another, by means of a strong cable and a pulley. The cable, often made from steel, is strung between the two locations and a pulley attached to it. People can move along the cable, by grabbing the pulley or donning a harness and attaching it to the pulley, pushing off from a platform, and then allowing gravity to pull them to the other end. Baskets can also be attached to the pulley for moving goods along. Uses of zip lines
As a fun activity for the adventurous, zip lines are also put to practical use for reaching locations, which are remote and difficult to access, like the rain-forest. They are sometimes used in place of a bridge to cross canyons as well. Sizes of zip wires Zip wires come in a variety of sizes, depending upon the use for which they are intended. Small zip lines, meant for entertaining children, might be just a few feet off the ground, and stretch only a couple of yards long. However, zip lines intended for travel through the rain-forest must be high enough not to become entangled in tree branches, and can be around 1500 feet long or more.

Section two

Features of zip lines
One of the most popular features of zip lines is that high speeds can be reached on long stretches of zip line, thereby giving the rider the feeling of flying high above the ground. Since riding on a zip line can be fun, there are many opportunities for the adventurous to try them out.
Places for zip line rides Zip line rides are available at adventure camps, hotels and even zoos. Costa Rica is known for the many rain-forest canopy zip line tours offered to tourists, but they are available in other countries and islands with rain-forests, such as St. Lucia and St. Martin. Use of safety gear Since they are usually high above the ground, it is wise to employ safety gear like helmets, gloves and harnesses, when using zip lines. Before riding on a zip line, you need to make sure that all three are provided by the company hosting the activity. Long pants and sturdy shoes or hiking boots are also recommended. You can visit Trek Travel online to book a tour.