After a wild first day of rafting, the second leg of our West Virginia Family Challenge weekend took us sky-high, quite literally. We swapped paddles for helmets and river currents for pure velocity as we headed deep into the treetops for an unforgettable ziplining adventure.
We were based at Adventures on the Gorge, a sprawling outdoor resort that takes family adventure seriously. So naturally, we signed up for the Gravity Ziplines, the most extreme zipline course they offer. With over 1.5 miles of cable, six ziplines, and speeds reaching 65 mph, this experience was basically designed by and for thrill-seeking teenagers.
Let’s pause for emphasis:
65 miles per hour. 200 feet in the air. Dangling by a cable.
Yes, it’s as fun, and as terrifying, as it sounds.
The Ride That Nearly Broke Us
But before we could soar like eagles, we had to conquer a different beast entirely: the bus ride to the top. The narrow dirt roads wound their way up the mountain like something out of an action movie, steep drop-offs on one side, deep ruts on the other, and switchbacks that made us all question our life choices. No guardrails. No room for error. Just faith in the driver and a firm grip on the seat in front of you.
While we might have screamed our way through the ziplines, it was our hero bus drivers who stole the show. Cool, calm, and in full command of their massive vehicles, they crushed that uphill gauntlet in ways the rest of us never could have. Honestly, we’d give them the “Best Zipliner” trophy if we could.
Gearing Up and Getting Nervous
After surviving the ride, we suited up in helmets, gloves, and harnesses, ready to go. The nerves kicked in early for some, especially Jon, who’s not exactly a fan of heights (more on that later). But the views were incredible, and the guides expertly walked us through every step.
The course begins with a few shorter zips, allowing everyone to get comfortable before ramping up to the grand finale: the Adrena-Line, a 3,150-foot monster that delivers a full minute of high-speed, wind-whipping, eye-watering descent.
Zipline Meets Family Feud
Each run featured parallel lines, so you could race a partner down the cable. That turned every leg into a mini competition. With our odd-numbered group, some of us had to fly solo, but most pairings became all-out battles for zipline glory.
Victory was measured in seconds, bragging rights were earned (and endlessly disputed), and the title of “Best Zipliner” became a hotly contested prize.
And of course, no one wanted to be labeled the dreaded “Dangleberry”, the unfortunate soul who gets stuck mid-line and has to pull themselves hand-over-hand to the platform. Luckily, our whole crew made it across each zip without incident. Phew.
Who Won? We’ll Never Agree.
The secret to winning? Aerodynamics. Feet together. Body straight. Mind focused. Except… not quite that simple. Some of us twisted in the air, caught gusts of wind, or spun in ways that were decidedly not streamlined. The lighter members of the crew had to cannonball just to gain enough speed to make it across. (Physics: the true villain of the day.)
Mandy, despite an early defeat to Jon, claimed a string of wins and is still loudly proclaiming herself the undisputed champion. Quinn and Daniel have also staked their claims to that title. Meanwhile, Adam insists he won every race “in his eyes.” Sure, buddy.
The truth? We’ll probably never know. We didn’t keep track, and every conversation about it spirals into chaos.
Special Mention
We’ve got to give a shoutout to Jon, who pushed through a legitimate fear of heights to complete the full course like a champ. He may not have been the fastest (depending on who you ask), but he definitely earned top marks for bravery and good humor.
🌲 Challenge #8 Scorecard: Gravity Ziplines Edition
| Name | Result | Comment |
| Adam | ✅ | Won every race — in his imagination. |
| Ally | ✅ | Smooth, speedy, and steady. |
| Daniel | ✅ | Claimed the crown. So did Quinn. |
| Jon | ✅ | Faced the fear. Earned all our respect. |
| Madison | ✅ | Calm, cool, and flying like a pro. |
| Mandy | ✅ | Undefeated… depending who you ask. |
| Patrick | ✅ | Speed with a smile. |
| Quinn | ✅ | Also undefeated. Also disputed. |
| Reese | ✅ | Quietly crushed every run. |
Final Verdict: Fly Here
This challenge? A huge win. Nobody backed out. Everyone finished. And despite the friendly feuding and mild terror, it was an absolute blast.
If you’ve got teens, tweens (12+), and a taste for speed, this is a must-do. Just check weight restrictions in advance, wear closed-toe shoes, and prepare for some epic views (and epic competition).
Next up…? Who knows. But if it involves heights, speed, or drama, we’re in.
Go Together Life 
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