Zip Lining at Gunstock Mountain - Scary Fun!

Recently, Nick and I were up in New Hampshire for a wedding.  Since the main event was actually on Sunday afternoon, we and some of Nick's family friends had an entire weekend to enjoy what the Lake Winnipesaukee area had to offer.  Turns out, Gunstock Mountain Resort is also home to the longest Zipline Tour in the continental US!  With amazing views in the heart of the granite mountains (seen at 65 mph), and October being peak leaf peeping, we knew this was going to be a fun time.

Mulling the liabilities...

Our group of 9 arrived at the mountain about 15 minutes before our 11AM appointment, checked in and waited to get suited up!

Ready to suit up!

After going through the equipement, we headed out to the first of two training zip lines.  The first was only about 8 feet off the ground and 45 feet long - just enough to let us figure out how to work the zip line apparatus.

Ready to Zip

From there, we headed up a VERY long treadmill to the top of the second zip line, located at the top of Gunstock's bunny slope.  This one was about 25 feet high and 450 feet long.  Definitely long enough to give you a good feel of flying!  Once that was done, we were fully trained and off to the chairlift to head up to the top of the mountain.

Training Zipline 2!

On the chair lift

Views of the changing leaves

Lake Winnipesaukee below

More Trees

The lake was so blue

More views...

Once we got to the top of the lift, we hopped off and went to the third line.  This one was short (275 feet) but there was a sharp 20 foot drop!  Being this high up, it was our first taste of real zip lining!  After that we looked across the way and saw a metal tower that was the second to last line, which required a long assent up metal spiral stairs.  I won't lie, I was nervous.  This line was almost 4000 feet in length with a 688 foot drop.  Luckily, the platform where you hooked on was large and there were gates that remained closed until it was time to zip.  

Getting ready to zip

When they opened the gate, I just pulled down and went as fast as possible.  With views of Mount Washington and a little twisting in the air, the trip was definitely the biggest thrill of the 5 lines!  I am not sure if I actually reached the 65 mph, but I must have gotten close.

A look back up!

On the way to the last line, I made sure to add a rock to the piles left by those before us.

Adding to the piles....

Self Portrait

The last zip was another long one, with a pretty good drop, but after the last line I was not worried.  This one cleared the parking lot and the pond below.  This time, I made sure I stayed in a tucked ball the entire time in hopes to not twist around, but also to go faster!

The last line!

A look back up the mountain

We made it!

Last look at the views

This zip lining experience was so much fun.  Turns out they do these tours throughout the year - I'm not sure I would want to go hurtling through the air in February or bundled up in the gear in August though.  It was a bit chilly, but the views of all the colored leaves were worth it.

This was such a great adventure.  If you are at all a thrill seeker or just like a fun challenge, I would highly recommend doing the zip lining tour at Gunstock!