LOCALadk Magazine

30 Spring 2017 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk The last place we were able to visit on our fall tour of parks was the Adventure Trail at Ausable Chasm (an attraction known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks) off exit 34 on I-87. This guided experience takes you traversing the 80- to 90-foot vertical walls lining the river and on obstacles crossing high above the Ausable, such as a tightrope-style cable bridge. The bolted protection system in the rock is called a Via Ferrata (an Italian word for Iron Road), which is a protected climbing route characterized by a steel cable that crosses an expanse of rock wall, allowing the climber to walk along or climb across ledges safely clipped in by locked carabineers. This ropeless system is efficient for lateral travel, as compared to vertical ascent, and is used to cover ground at a sustained height – such as along the Adventure Trail. Ausable Chasm Initially, to get down to the river, we descended several flights of stairs bolted into the rock. Our journey through the canyon then started on the rock banks of the river where we ascended up a three story rope ladder to our first clip into the Via Ferrata cable system. Then we were climbing ladders and ledges, balancing on precarious bridges that traverse above the raging waters, or shimmying along the rock wall. Although we were always slowly progressing down the canyon, there was plenty of time to stop and literally "hang out" in the harness, conquering our fears of the daunting height and the raging river below, and taking in the spectacular scenery. Judd Arnold, one of our two guides, envisioned, designed, and installed this Adventure Trail and it was inspiring to see his eyes light up at our enjoyment. "I love that I get to do this for a living," he said. "To create these routes that allow people to go safely where they could otherwise never travel, and see things they could otherwise never see." He explained that not only are people in awe of the beauty, but proud of themselves for the physical and mental accomplishment of getting outside of their comfort zones and trying such a new and rare challenge. Other sites that are on our list to explore include: Waterfalls of High Falls Gorge in Wilmington, NY Zipline at Eagle Flyer Zipline in Lake George, NY Rock Climbing and Rappelling at Ausable Chasm, NY.

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