Harriman man to open area's first zipline attraction
Harriman A Harriman man is opening the area’s first zipline attraction in Hyde Park in nearby Dutchess County. Big Bear Ziplines, will begin operations in early February on 50 acres of forest land, will offer a venue where visitors will fly from treetop to treetop at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Owner/operator Dieter Beisiegel, a retired American Airline Boeing-777 captain, has envisioned an adventure for locals and visitors alike. With the help of industry professionals, the canopy tour was designed and developed to provide year-round fun, according to Beisiegel, who feels the new attraction will complement the historical and natural attractions in the Hudson Valley. “Big Bear Ziplines will be a great addition to the many tourist attractions in the Hyde Park area,” Beisiegel said. “It will offer adventure seekers the opportunity to experience the exhilaration of ziplining right here in the beautiful Hudson Valley. We hope to give our guests the thrill of a lifetime.” The family-owned and operated course consists of eight different ziplines ranging from 200 to 1400 feet in length, with heights of 30 up to 150 feet. Equipped in state-of-the-art ziplining gear, including a safety harness, trolley and helmet, users will soar through the air attached to steel cables, getting a birds-eye view of the forest canopy, native foliage and wildlife. Along the way, guests will climb fire truck ladders, swing on Tarzan vines, and launch off flight decks. Tours are conducted by two experienced guides and last approximately three hours. Big Bear Ziplines operates year round. Participants must be at least 12 years old and weigh no more than 250 pounds. The tour is not recommended for pregnant women, people with back problems or any serious medical conditions. Closed toe shoes are required. Mild hiking is involved. Tour departure times vary by season. For reservations or information, call 888-ZIP-BBZI, e-mail to: contact@bigbearziplines.com, or visit www.bigbearziplines.com.
What is a zipline?
A zipline (also known as a flying fox, foefie slide, zip wire, aerial runway, aerial ropeslide, death slide or tyrolean crossing) consists of a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an incline.
It is designed to enable a user propelled by gravity to traverse from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable, usually made of stainless steel, by holding on or attaching to the freely moving pulley.
Zip-lines come in many forms, most often used as a means of entertainment. They may be short and low, intended for child’s play and found on some playgrounds. Longer and higher rides are often used as a means of accessing remote areas, such as a rainforest canopy.
Zip-line tours are becoming popular vacation activities, found at outdoor adventure camps or upscale resorts, where they may be an element on a larger challenge or ropes course. Source: www.wikipedia.org