Zip Line

If you're a fan of adventure and the outdoors, a trip down a zip line is fun and thrilling attraction.

Flightline, located at San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park, is the longest zip line in the Continental United States. It's more than 2/3rds of a mile down with a length of 3,677 feet. When you come up to the 6-story platform, it's a little scary at first, but you can actually see the animals looking up at you and it's an incredible experience.

We begin our 2-hour zip lining adventure outside Lorikeet Landing with a brief lesson on how to zip line with our Flightline guide, Brianne Johnson.

Bri explains that Flightline has multiple safety redundancies, making it one of the safest zip line tours in California — if not the world.

My fears put to rest, we make our way up to the fledgling run for our first taste of ziplining. The 450-foot practice run familiarizes you with the soaring and landing positions before your big flight. It includes a 31-foot drop in elevation.

Following our practice run, we board the truck for the short drive to Condor Ridge. Along the way, Bri explains some facts about the California Condor and the park's breeding program, which has been very successful.

When we arrive at our destination, I slowly step out on the metal platform — six stories above the ground at a 900-foot elevation.

It's a gorgeous view of the San Pasqual Valley, but the thought of taking off makes my stomach churn.

Safely strapped in place, Bri releases the tether and I fly down the course at up to 47 miles per hour.

My fear turns to amazement as I quietly soar 400 feet above the valley, taking in gorgeous views of the Asian and African wildlife. Among the animals you'll see during your adventure are Indian rhinoceros, Pere' David's deer and Prezewalski's wild ass.

After a safe and smooth landing at Kilima Point, I'm ready to do it all over again, though this easily could become an expensive sport.

If you're hesitant to pay the price, consider this: one-third of the profits benefit the California Condor conservation program, so your adventure goes toward a very good cause.

I hope you've enjoyed this quick peek at the Park's zipline adventures. Now go make those reservations and have a great time!

Safety Check:
For those "chickens" out there, here are some comforting safety facts. Flightline's multiple safety redundancies include:

• Flightline has two wheels on the trolley, when it could run with one. The trolley is designed so that it would stay on the cable even if the wheels became inoperable.
• There isn't just one point of attachment (the two straps that come down from the trolley), but two. You will note that the guides just have one point of attachment.
• The caribiners are the twist-and-lock style rather than the simple style, which means it takes three motions to open rather than two, thus a triple redundancy.
• The cables are way over-rated for weights on them. All the tolerances and straps all hold far in excess of the actual weights.
• The tethers at the top of each platform keep people constantly secure before the flight takes off.
• Flightline has multiple communication processes. Nextel radios are assigned to all dispatch riders, but if there is a failure, there are backup two-way radios at all locations.

To be eligible for Flightline, you must be at least 10 years old and weigh between 75 and 250 pounds.

15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027; 760-747-8702; www.sandiegozoo.org