Adventure, California, Destination, USA

Top 5 Extreme Adventures – #2 – Bungee Jumping

In the last few years, I’ve participated in the most extreme adventures that I could imagine.
Even my wedding day included a little bit of rock climbing and a trip up the trapeze ladder to swing my way into married life. You may have a different opinion of what constitutes an extreme adventure, but I’ve narrowed it down to my top 5 based on sheer fear, nervousness, excitement, and potential to crap my own pants. Plunging into the number two spot is bungee jumping!

Set deep in the San Gabriel Canyon, all guests meet at 7:30 am for a 5 mile hike over a rocky, rough trail that leads to the Bridge to Nowhere. The trail crosses a creek 6 times in up to three feet of water. This part of the journey alone is not for the faint at heart, but what awaits at the end of the trail is one of the most exhilarating, adrenaline pumping activities in the world: bungee jumping.

While standing on the edge of the bridge, steep canyon walls were rising about me. A short lesson was given on the bungee system and safety and before I knew it, I was up and about to go down. I climbed over the ledge; my sweaty hands gripped the rail, my throat was dry and my heart seemed to be pumping in my ears. Looking down at the raging water ten stories below, I heard the encouragement of the instructor as he began the countdown, “5-4-3-2-1-BUNGEE!”

I let go of the rail and star-fish leapt off of the tiny platform to a free fall. I found myself plummeting through the wind; the water and rocks below were getting closer and closer. Just when I thought I was getting too close to my impending doom, I felt the bungee cord begin to slow me down, but the journey was not quite over yet; a few feet shy of the water, I found myself being flung straight up toward the bridge and plummeting again and again and again with a series of bounces. With each bounce, a scream of excitement escaped my throat.

Once I finished bouncing, I was elated with happiness and adrenaline. Overcoming the initial, internal fear that numbs your body makes you feel like you can do anything. The sense of accomplishment is overwhelming. I wanted that indescribable, free-falling feeling to last forever!

The five mile hike out was conquered at an impressive speed. My adrenaline acted like a drug and I knew that bungee jumping would forever  hold a spot in my top five extreme adventures.

Read about the other Top 5 at:

http://lesleycarter.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/top-5-extreme-adventures-3-whitewater-raftingriverboarding/

https://www.bucketlistpublications.com/2012/05/03/top-5-extreme-adventures-4-sky-jumping-from-the-stratosphere-las-vegas-hotel-casino/

https://www.bucketlistpublications.com/2012/05/03/top-5-extreme-adventures-5-spelunkingcaving/

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One thought on “Top 5 Extreme Adventures – #2 – Bungee Jumping

  1. Justin says:

    This looks amazing!

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