MEGA Cavern Louisville ZIPLINE!!!!

We recently stopped by the Louisville MEGA Cavern again to check out their new zip lines.

I have to admit that the experience is still sinking in.  I am not too sure about where to start.....
I guess I should talk a little about the Cavern.  If you haven't done so already, go back and read my original post from 2009 about the Cavern-
http://kentuckytravels.blogspot.com/2009/08/louisville-mega-cavern.html

There is just something strange, and VERY unique about this place, especially as a tourist attraction.

As you can tell by this blog, I love stopping at interesting tourist attractions.  I love them all.  BUT some can get a bit repetitive. 

Then there are a few that are just so different and unique you must stop and marvel at them.  There are some truly one of a kind locations that you can't see anywhere else.  I think it is safe to say that the Louisville Mega Cavern is one of those very rare, one-of-a-kind must see places.

It is literally located right under the Louisville Zoo and it has only been opened up as a tourist attraction for a handful of years.  It has served many purposes, and it is huge.

I won't go on and on about the facts or the history (see my previous post and their official web site for that stuff) but a few things stand out for me about the place.  In the early 60's this place could have (and was prepared to) hold 50,000 people in the event of a nuclear attack!

Today, it is still used for storage and for tours.  Over the last year or so, they have also set up a zip line tour!

This was my first time zip lining, and I wasn't sure about what to expect.  I have to admit that I got a little nervous when I walked in to the Mega Zip starting area and saw a vending machine for adult diapers.  Actually, I realized at that moment that I was about to have a fun day with a good group of pros (with a good sense of humor).

Let me take a moment to mention some issues with my photos.  First, I was working with a new camera.  Second, it is simply next to impossible to get a good shot of people moving 40-50 mph in a dark cave.  Also, considering the setting and the focus needed for all parties, I was not going to even think of using a flash.

For some good professional photos, check out Mega Cavern's site. 
So, there were 3 in our group and the Mega Cavern looks to limit groups to 12 people.  We were frankly pleased to see that a similarly mature group of 9 joined us.  We had a great time with our new pals joking about harness and helmets needed for the tour.

The first line was the "bunny line".  This one was short and basic, used to help people get used to their gear, the experience, etc. (see the fifth picture from the top).

Next came the "Zip line to Hell".  This one had a Hell theme with red lighting.  AC/DC's Highway to Hell was played as you walked to the zip line.

Check out the photo of the mattress at the end of this area!  Luckily, there is a guide waiting for you at the end of your zip to slow you down and help you out!  I did not see anyone actually crash in to the mattress!

Check out the 8th and 9th photos from the top- the ones with red and green lighting in them.  The first of the 2 photos shows a friend stepping off on the third zip.  See that blurry motion in the middle of the photo?

The photo under that one shows the zip liner (is that the correct word for someone zip lining?) somewhere in the middle of the line.  I think that picture gives a pretty good sense of just how HUGE the area is.

I have also included a couple of photos showing a person zip lining from another angle.  That red light streak you see is from the helmet of the person.  See if you can spot the person zipping!  I can't- they are a total blur!

I also put up some photos of the "Challenge Bridges".  Yes, you are hooked up to a zip line.  Sure, you are on a rope bridge and you are perfectly safe, BUT you know you are way up in the air looking WAY down.

In fact, I think I wasn't too psyched out by the experience until the end of the last bridge.  It slopes up a little, and it has a bit of a bounce to it.  After 4 zip lines, and walking across the bridges, I was starting to think about the fact that I was so far up.

The last line you do is side by side with another line, and you get to race against one of the other members of your group.

After some playful trash talk, you and your opponent walk up a couple of steps to the top of a small wooden platform on a small ledge above a DEEP drop off.  For some reason this zip along with the last bridge got to me a little bit.  Again, you are totally safe but it just feels so dangerous!  For this last zip, I did close my eyes for a moment.

My competitor for the race was also feeling a little fright.  As our guide Mandy counted down "3...2...1.. GO!" we both paused.  After trading insults about how the other would be the loser, we both demonstrated that our fright outweighed our desire to win.

After about 5 seconds my opponent went, and I went shortly after her (insuring my loss).  Though I felt humiliated at the finish line, I felt proud of the fact that I completed all five zip lines.

As we took the tram ride back to the main entrance, we passed a tram taking the historic tour.  The tour guide on the other tour joked with his group that the true adrenaline rush was on the historic tour.  One girl on our tour looked at a small child on the tram for the other tour and asked "Where is your helmet?"  The child seemed a bit confused that his group was not wearing helmets.

We had AMAZING guides on our tour.  Greg and Mandy were the two guides on our tour and they were great!  I asked Greg after our tour about the weight restrictions.  He said that you must be at least 50 pounds but no more than 275.  As far as age restrictions go, I don't think there is one.

Greg talked to us for a long time about all of the safety measures used at the Mega Zip.  He stressed that the Mega Cavern goes out of its way to make sure everything is safe.

He used the word, "redundant" to describe some of the precautions taken.  In fact, Greg talked a lot about personal involvement in double checking for safety at the Mega Cavern.  The place has set up a very exciting set of zip lines, and they have worked hard to make sure they are VERY safe.

Also, they use 2 hooks at the Mega Zip.  So, while you are transferring from one line to the next, you are always connected to a line.  I liked that a lot.

Greg described what they do at the Mega Zip as "Full Service" and this service is VERY noticeable from the moment you start your adventure.  I kept my wallet and car keys on me, along with my camera.  As Greg helped me get my harness on, he told me he could keep my keys and wallet locked up in an area where only he would have a key.  He also securely tied my camera to my harness before I had even realized what he had done.  I was good to go!

While zipping, Mandy or Greg took care of all the hooking.

Towards end of our experience, my batteries died.  Greg over heard me mention this and asked if I used AAs.  Unfortunately, I did not... but when was the last time you were on a tour and your tour guide offered to help you out with batteries?

Just as Greg helped me tie my camera to my harness securely at the start of the trip, Mandy untied it before I even realized I was being helped!

As we took off our helmets and harnesses, Mandy told us about the Indian ghost that was spotted (and photographed) in the cavern. They sell a GREAT postcard of the photo in the gift shop.

The gift shop at the Mega Cavern has improved over the few years it has been open.  Postcards were very nicely done and were being sold at LESS THAN A QUARTER!  I stocked up!

When I mentioned Mega Cavern before, I talked about how it is still a raw attraction.  It is new, and developing.  Obviously, they have added the zip lines, and they are adding a ropes challenge course.  I am really excited to see what other cool and innovative additions that pop up in the next few years at the Mega Cavern!

Also, this is the WORLD'S ONLY underground zip line!  There is something that you can do in Kentucky, that you can't do anywhere else!  That alone makes this a must do attraction!

http://www.louisvillemegacavern.com/