Why Live On The Edge When You Can Jump Off It?
Written by Elizabeth October 18, 2012
Salve !
This past week was one of the craziest of my life! We had ten whole days to travel anywhere our hearts desired in Europe and my friends and I headed off to the French Riviera, Paris, and Interlaken. Now, I loved seeing the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris, but my favorite moments were in the tiny, outdoorsy town of Interlaken, Switzerland. It was the final place on our journey and I’m not going to lie, I was extremely tired, but I was determined to make each and every moment of this trip count.
The whole group in Interlaken, Switzerland
I would say that we were all pretty intense and hardcore during our two days in Interlaken. Friday morning five of us decided to go Canyoning, which if you know me seems like something I would never do. We went through this company called Alpin Raft and the people there were extremely fun and helpful! We were picked up in a small red van at nine o’clock in the morning. Unfortunately, the weather was not ideal. Cold rain is not really my jam. We had signed up for the most intense canyon experience, but the rains made it too dangerous so we were bumped down to the six hour run instead of the seven hour one. I wasn’t too distraught. We then get all of our gear: an intense wet suit, socks, shoes, life jackets, and helmets labeled with peculiar names. Mine said “FRODO” on it. Oh, and the guides actually called you by this name for the whole adventure.
Next, we pile into the damp vans with all of our gear. We ride up the beautiful mountains of Interlaken. It doesn’t matter which way you look, everything is just gorgeous. There are tiny houses on the mountain side surrounded by lambs and cows. You can see snow-capped mountains in the distance. Its just crazy to be surrounded by this kind of landscape. The next part of the adventure was mildly comical. They drop us off on the side of highway in a meadow full of cow poop and tell us to change into our gear. I don’t know if you have ever tried to put on a wet suit, but it is extremely difficult. It was a cold, rainy, struggle bus to say the least. But after some tugging and squeezing, we were all geared to go!
Canyoning in Interlaken
The start of the canyoning experience is a 150 meter repel into the waters of the canyon. So cool! I love repelling so I was most comfortable with this part of the journey. Then, we were dropped into the freezing cold water that just took my breathe away. I don’t think I have ever been in water as cold as this. Despite the freezing cold water, it was still a super fun day! We jumped off cliffs into the water, slid down natural water falls and slides, zip lined over the water, and were pushed to our limits. I definitely recommend it to anyone who visits Interlaken, but warning it is only open from April until October. Definitely a summer activity.
Now you must be thinking that that Canyoning experience was it for my Interlaken adventures, but oh are you wrong. I really wanted to do something that would be a risk and give me a shot of adrenaline. I decided that I wanted to go Canyon Jumping. I would say that it is similar to bungee jumping, except you don’t fall straight down and dangle there. What you do is free fall for about one hundred meters and then the line attached to you swings you through the canyon over rocky waters. However, none of my friends wanted to go with me. I went back and forth on whether I wanted to go by myself or not. Fortunately, I made the choice just to take the plunge and go for it and that was the best decision I made on this trip. I don’t know if my mother agrees (she sounded a bit freaked out over the phone), but it was still awesome.
On Saturday, the time came for me to be picked up by the company, I waved my friends goodbye. They looked at me worriedly and said things like “Good luck” and “Hope you make it.” I laughed and boarded the same small red bus with my fellow risk takers, a guy from New York and five Swiss high ropes instructors. My guide was this man probably in his mid-forties with some unfortunate thinning dread locks. Weird coincidence, he was the same guide I had for canyoning, so we are pretty much best friends now. Haha.
We all arrive at the canyon, which was absolutely breathe taking. It was huge with water rushing between it and two small platforms at the top from which we would be jumping off. We walk up to the area where the platforms are on top of this canyon 100 meters above the rocks and water. We have to sign this waiver, which may have been the funniest waiver I have ever signed. Word for word the first line was, “I agree that I must be insane for jumping off a cliff only being held by a thin rope, two notes, and a questionable carabiniere operated by two random Swiss men that I don’t know.” No jokes. That is what it said.
Now, this is when tragedy stroke. Ok, so obviously I’m doing this super cool activity and I’m going to want some pictures to show every person I ever meet from now until eternity. So, I ask the operator dude how I order my pictures afterwards and he then informs me that the photographer isn’t there! I was a little annoyed, but what could I do? That wasn’t going to stop from jumping off the cliff. I just wish I had some pictures to document the glorious moment. I did ask the guy from New York if he could take pictures of me on his camera and email them to me. He said yes… I’m still waiting.
Now its time for the moment you have all been waiting for… the JUMP! I get all in my harness and I tell you that thing could not have been tight enough. I wait for a few people to go infront of me to make sure that the rope holds up and they don’t crash into the water. Everyone lives, so now it is my turn. I’m actually excited by this point. I definitely have that “I’m going to pee in me pants” feeling, but I was pumped. Then, I walked onto the see-through platform and look down at the bottom. It then hits me. I will be jumping off this and free-falling down to about two meters above the water. Not going to lie, I was a little nervous. Of course, I had already given them my money and this was the adrenaline rush I had come for. All I had to was jump.
My view from the platform.
My feet lifted off the ground, my hands spread out, and I just fell through the air. I know that I had the biggest smile on my face. When the rope caught me right above the water and swung me through the canyon, a sense of relief, excitement adrenaline, and giggles came across my entire body. Then I just got to enjoy the back and forth swing through the canyon, laughing and waving to the people watching me from the side.
Well, I would say that Interlaken was quite a success! Now, I know that not everyone would jump off a cliff and fly down natural water falls, but when you do travel take some risks. Its these kind of adventures that I will remember forever.
Ciao!
Blogger: Elizabeth, Furman University
