Destinacija - Adria Airways

TEXT: Carmen Leban photography: iztok dimcZip-lining on One ofEurope’s Longest TracksFree As a BirdPeople have always dreamt of having the abilityto fly and seeing the world from above. Today,flying is nothing special, but many people stilllook for fresh challenges that will givethem a rush of adrenaline. They are sureto be excited by the news that zip-liningis now available on the slopes ofKanin, where adventurers canclip themselves to astainless steel cableand race betweentwo hills at 40 to 60kmph some 200 m abovethe ground while enjoying thebreathtaking panoramic views acrossthe Soča Valley and all the way to Triglav.The adventure begins in Bovec. We meet at the agency where we receive the basicequipment (a climbing harness with a double safety system and pulley that isused to travel along the cable as well as a helmet and gloves for braking). The realequipment awaits us at station B of the Kanin cable-car lift; from there, a formerarmy truck takes us the rest of the way. As soon as we spot the first cable, our eyesinstantly follow it all the way across the canyon to the neighbouring hill, a distanceof some 500 m. It is enough to give pause for thought even to the bravest ofus. But our guides soon make us feel better by explaining that we will first take aquick course at a miniature zip-line park before taking on the real thing.Follow the RulesWe learn how to put on our equipment and clip ourselves to the cable; then, wetry a short descent on a cable no more than 2 m above the ground, attachedbetween two trees. Before we start, the guides give us courage by explainingthat zip-lining is an adrenaline sport but one that is completely safe as long aswe follow the instructions to the letter. We travel down the cable a few times,practice our posture and learn how to brake using our hands (on which we wearprotective gloves). Satisfied and full of expectation, we head to the first platform.This is the real deal. The first cable looks very steep, making even the bravest of usfeel slightly nervous, though not everyone is willing to admit it.The Real DealOne of the guides goes first, stopping on the other side of the canyon to helpus out with instructions and to make sure that we stop in time. Some peoplewait for their turn in silence, others are thinking out loud; every now and then,someone exclaims, “Oh my God!” Then we look at Gaja, however, a slender,10-year-old girl who doesn’t have a moment’s hesitation about this adventure,and suddenly we feel better.For the first few metres, the experience is different for each one of us. Someare quiet as a mouse, not daring to move as much as an eyelid, while otherswave, shout with joy and blow kisses. The cable gives off a loud whistle as eachadventurer races down, the sound echoing from the mountains.As I prepare for my turn, my mind is swimming with thoughts but mainly withjust one, “Why did I have to go and get myself into something like this?” I’m atthe most nerve-wracking point of the adventure: clipped to the cable and waitingfor the start signal from the other side of the canyon. The guide does a finalcheck to make sure that I’m strapped in correctly and that everything is okaywith the safety system, and then he pushes me away. I’m going as fast as lightning.At first I feel stiff; my voice catches in my throat. I peer down cautiouslyand see the treetops far below. “Wow, this is high. I am actually suspendedon a cable racing across this canyon below!” As I look toward the Soča Valleyand the magnificent ring of Julian Alps that surrounds me, I finally recover myvoice. I shout as loudly as I can, and I immediately start to enjoy this incrediblefeeling of freedom: I feel relieved.Nothing but PleasureWe have overcome the first cable. Any feeling of doubt, fear and uncertaintyhas vanished into thin air. Now it is time to enjoy ourselves. We descend afew dozen metres through the forest and reach the second platform. Thistime we are zip-lining among the treetops; it feels like flying through a tunnelof trees. Now we are all shouting happily and enjoying every moment. Weare halfway done. The Zip-Line Adventure comprises four cables with a totallength of 2400 m; until the very last cable, Gaja was the only one to experiencezip-lining in tandem, but then almost all of us tried it. The adventurewas over much too quickly.110