November 2013 South Carolina Living Magazine Vol. 1 | Page 28

SCTravels

BY DIANE VETO? PARHAM

ZZZZZipping over the river

One effect of the new

zip line experience at
Riverbanks Zoo and
Garden is that it seems to
reduce people’s vocabularies to two words:
“awesome” and “cool.”
Whooshing through
treetops, gliding above the Saluda
River, and making the pedestrians
below stare up enviously at you is two
hours well spent. Some guests climb
down from the final platform, wideeyed and exhilarated, pumped to do it
all over again.
“We’ve had older people come
out to tick it off their bucket lists,”
says Susan O’Cain, communications
specialist for Riverbanks.
The zip line canopy tours at the
Columbia zoo opened in August with
two separate courses that offer unique
treetop-level experiences:
l The higher intensity ZOOm
the River! course features three zip
stretches—two short warm-ups,
then one 1,010-foot zoom over the
Saluda. A couple of cargo net climbs and a swinging bridge
complete the adventure.
l The Zip the Zoo! course runs along the edge of the
zoo’s Carousel Plaza. It’s a good starter course for kids and
beginners, with four
shorter zip stretches and
GetThere
a few climbing elements
to add a bit of challenge.
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is located at
Zipping is as simple as
500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, just off
I-126 at Greystone Boulevard.
sitting down. You’re in a
shoulder-to-thigh harness,
HOURS: The zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
hooked to an overhead
Advance reservations are required for
the zip line tours. Allow two hours at
cable line, so all you need
the zoo for the experience.
to do is relax into the
harness—and step off a
COST: Zip the Zoo! is $45 for the general
public, $30 for zoo members; ZOOm
treetop platform.
the River! is $55 for the general public,
“That first step off is
$40 for zoo members.
the hardest, because you
DETAILS: [phone]; riverbanks.org.
have all the nerves, you’re
a little anxious, you don’t
28

Photos by Mic Sm ith

and through
the woods

Chelsea Padgett of Nashville, Tenn., glides in for
her final landing after her zip line ride over the
Saluda River. Riders travel above the Riverbanks
zoo and grounds on cable lines that run from one
treetop platform (above) to the next.

know what to expect,” O’Cain says.
“Then that first ride is just indescribable, and it just gets better from there.”
The tree-mounted platforms
do have a bit of wobble, but at all
times, riders are safely harnessed
and tethered to an overhead line or
a sturdy structure. Even on the most
daunting section of the river course—?
a bridge made of swaying planks,
suspended by cables, that guests walk
across single file—the harness and
tether offer plenty of security.
Because Riverbanks is part garden,
protecting its trees is a priority. Plat­
forms are suspended around the trees using halo structures
that minimize damage and allow for healthy tree growth.
No question about it—the star attraction is the final and
swiftest stretch of the course, where the rider bursts out
of the trees and over an open expanse of the Saluda River.
The incomparable view and the breeze on your face as you
soar over the water are treats enough. Getting to wave at
curious onlookers on the bridge over the river or in kayaks
below is a bonus.
Two trained guides travel the full course with riders.
Listen to them—they’re full of handy tips for important
things like how to land Peter Pan style or how to tuck your
legs up to zip faster. And they’re good for wacky suggestions
for ramping up the fun—whoop like a siamang ape, for
example, or high five a tree leaf on your way down th e line.
Don’t forget your exit line when the ride is over: “That
was awesome!” Or maybe “Cool!”

Web Extra Video Visit SCLiving.coop for a video clip and
bonus photos of the new zipline tours at the Riverbanks Zoo.

SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING? | ? November/December 2013 ?|? scliving.coop