Rope Runners Gift Experience
There was a real army theme as we approached the High Ropes adventure in Essex based at the Secret Nuclear Bunker in the Brentwood hinterland at Kelvedon Hatch. Paintballing, target-shooting, cave-tunnelling, and other outdoor team-building activities were based around an open bit of land and woodland. But dominating the scenery were the above-ground courses across trees and telegraph pole platforms and this is where we headed now as we were here to try out the Rope Runners courses.
First, we had about ten minutes of training on the ground, or just above ground level training courses. Roper Runners uses the Klipa safety system which is easy to master and takes away the risks that in the past have been associated with clip on/off climbing and roping systems. Basically, we moved from one tree trunk to another, and also did a mock ‘fall’, letting the ropes and harness take our weight to show what could happen at a greater height. Now we were just about ready to go and Abigail, who has been guiding at the site for four years, gave us the principles of the activity:
“You can go on whatever you like, just have fun.”
We looked up at the lower, medium and high courses in the trees and telegraph poles above and being new to willingly put ourselves through this heights assault course we possibly let our feelings show in our faces because Abigail said: “It’s got to be a little bit scary or it won’t be exciting.”Pippa was soon doing well and wanted to try the zip wire. This was definitely an adult zip-wire and not a child’s one from a playground. But with a minimum age of 6 (other activities start from 8) children aged 6-7 participating on the ropes must just be supervised by an adult from the course or on the ground. And wearing the gear and after her basic course she was cleared to go on the zip wire which she loved, and to be honest, gave a much better performance than her father:
And now Pippa wants to go there for her birthday party in March with a small group of friends!
Ongar Road
Kelvedon Hatch
Essex
CM15 0LA
Or call 01277 364470