Each guided tour includes seven zip lines of varying lengths and speeds . Zip lines are cables that connect you from tower to tower on a downward slope . The zip line trolley contains the pulley wheels that ride on top of the zip line cable . It is responsible for carrying a rider via harness from one end of the zip line to the other .
A number of factors affect a rider ’ s speed : slope of the cable , weight of the rider , wind and the trolleys ( some are slow , and some are fast ). “ Our trolleys have a top speed of 32 miles per hour ( mph ). However , the fastest we usually go on our lines is about 20-to-25 mph ,” said Jadyn Brusven , assistant manager , who has worked at Brainerd Zip Line Tour for three years .
Soaring through the air on a Minnesota zip line is the ultimate blend of adrenaline ,
Mark Simonson ,
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Fax : 218-338-2629 adventure and excitement . Stephanie Bowen started working for Brainerd Zip Line Tour in 2017 , and has watched the business grow . Bowen began as a guide , then transitioned to assistant manager and is now the general manager . She enjoys facilitating the zip lining experience and helping people face their fear of trying something new and “ healing through nature .” She has trained the zip lining staff of 20 guides .
There is a short hike to the first tower and then there are nine flights of stairs ( about 90 steps ) to get to the top of the tower and begin the tour . Bowen says , “ If you can walk a mile , you can zip line .”
Two professionally trained guides take small groups of guests through the course , starting with a comprehensive ground school . All participants must complete ground school ,
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218-338-BOA T ( 2628 ) AquaMarineRepair @ arvig . net which takes between 40 and 45 minutes . The zip line tour starts at 10 a . m . and lasts about 2-and-a-half hours . There is a practice line set up a few feet off the ground to try . The guides go over all maneuvers and hand signals used on the adventure .
Once you are comfortable , you move on to your first zip line . “ Our first two lines are what we like to call our ‘ mellow fellows ,’ as they are an intro to zip lining before we get to our longer lines ,” Brusven said . “ The first two zips are the tallest and slowest on the course . Tower one is the tallest point on the tour . It is about 115 feet up . Tower two is about 75 feet up . From there we work our way down , but our lines get longer and faster . The longest zip line is 982 feet long .” There is also a 65-foot suspension bridge .
An optional 50-foot quick flight to the bottom of the tower is available at the end of the tour , using an auto belay braking system that ensures a smooth descent back to the ground . It is called a controlled fall . Using a fan and magnet system , the harness gives you the sensation of a free fall for three-to-five seconds before slowing your descent to the ground .
“ We have been open since the summer of 2016 ,” said Brusven . “ The most common mistake I see people make is trying to brake in front of their trolley or not waiting for the lead guide to tell them when to slow down . Most people don ’ t realize we are a self-braking course , meaning you are wearing two gloves and a leather brake pad to stop yourself on
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