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Catamount Aerial Adventure Park

OK, I admit it. As a kid I was a Batman-Spider-Man-Tarzan wannabe. Today, I’m old enough to qualify for an AARP membership yet still hold on to the Neverland of perpetual adolescence. I still run, scramble across rocky terrains, ford rivers and streams in my clothes and climb … just about anything … within reason. So, when my son proposed that we take a little trip to Catamount Aerial Adventure Park in Hillsdale, N.Y., I was intrigued. He described the park in monosyllabic superlatives, which sounded exciting, but lacked the information I needed to make an informed decision. A visit to the Catamount Aerial Park website netted enough facts for me to decide that this was something we had to do! Long-story-short, the aerial park consisted of various aerial climbing trails that wind their way high above the Catamount forest floor with plenty of zip lines (yeah, zip lines!) to break up the workout of climbing. I was sold.

Let’s All Go

I cajoled my wife and daughter to join us on our aerial excursion. The drive along the Taconic State Parkway was pleasant. We arrived about 10 a.m. just as the sky clouded over and drops of rain began to spatter on the windshield. My wife was understandably concerned that the rain might make climbing difficult, but the crack staff at Catamount Aerial Park assured us that only lightning and high winds were a potential hazard, a light spritz was nothing to worry about.

Safety Training

So we plunked down our money, signed the waivers and headed to the equipment area. There, we were outfitted with high tech harnesses that were very much like those worn in climbing vertical walls. We were also outfitted with heavy-duty canvas gloves and then escorted to the training area. There, our hosts ran through the procedure of operating the double safety carabiner system on our harnesses. Each course on a trail starts and stops at a mounting platform. The climber attaches both carabiners to the safety wire. One stout carabiner can be clipped and unclipped at the climber’s discretion, while the other carabiner is locked onto the safety wire. That is the failsafe of this clever system. You are always completely attached to the safety cable at all times. We were given ample time to learn how to use the system and when our instructors were satisfied that we demonstrated good technique; we were released to begin our three-hour aerial adventure.

Different Courses

The rain had tapered off and after a short five-minute walk we arrived at the central mounting structure for all the various trails. Experienced climbers were on-site to help us mount up and progress through the aerial trails. I found this particularly helpful in navigating some of the more confusing obstacles. The courses are graded in similar fashion to ski-trails; there are yellow, blue and green beginner and intermediate trails and single and double black diamond “commando” courses that offer challenging verticals and obstacles that Lord Greystoke or Peter Parker might balk at. The payoff at the end of every trail is a ride on a zip line back to the ground to remount and repeat the course or try another similar or more challenging trail.

My son and daughter quickly got through the “bunny” courses and were soon in the upper levels of the trees challenging themselves and their parent’s composure. My wife and I stuck to the bunny and intermediate courses. I came to the realization that my days of daring were probably behind me, a decision that I’m sure my wife appreciated. The end of our aerial adventure was highlighted by a long descent down a series of zip lines back to the lodge. Obviously this is not an activity for every family, but if you like a safe but thrill packed adventure and are in reasonable condition, you might consider it as a really different family outing. It makes a nice summer daytrip. Catamount is located approximately 87 miles from White Plains, N.Y. and 62 miles from Danbury, Conn.

Bob Berry is a freelance writer and illustrator.

When You Go …

Catamount Aerial Adventure Park

2962 State Highway 23

Hillsdale, N.Y.

518-325-3200

www.catamounttrees.com

Ages & Restrictions: For ages 7 to adult. See website (FAQ) for more information on restrictions.

Hours: Summer season, June 17 to Sept. 2. Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ticket sales end at 3 p.m. Subject to weather conditions.

Rates: Ticket prices are based on the number of courses available for each age group and are good for three hours. Group rates available, but require advance reservation. Adults, ages 12 and up, $51; Youth, ages 10-11, $44; Children ages 7-9, $37.

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