Buzz
Even though accustomed to heights after numerous balancing acts on a wire over 10m above ground, Quynh Anh still felt terrified.
Before her stood two large pine trees, connected by a thin, delicate rope stretched across the Datanla valley.
The moment she stepped off the platform, she would be suspended in mid-air, and the pulley would glide freely through space.
Trainer Huy, guiding and overseeing Quynh Anh's safety, prevented her from looking into the vast, deep valley below.
'You've come this far, you're very brave. Now, fly across the valley, my dear. Mom is waiting on the other side. Don't be afraid, my daughter. Remember to hold onto the rope and keep your eyes wide open,' Huy encouraged Quynh Anh.
As she reached the first stretch of the long cable, Quynh Anh screamed in fear, but then burst into laughter, shouting 'Aaa..', arms outstretched as if flying, pedaling her legs in mid-air as if riding a bicycle.
As she approached the finish line, Quynh Anh extended her foot forward, following the trained posture to stop by pressing against the trunk of a pine tree. Her mother awaited anxiously, finally exhaling as she helped her daughter remove the uncomfortable safety gear.
In response to persistent questions about fear and pain, Quynh Anh opted to backtrack using a higher cable stretched across the valley.
'The wind howls in my ears, Mom. I can only look forward, dare not glance down at the forest. It's only on the way back that I dared to look down, and then I felt no fear at all,' Quynh Anh said as she unfastened her safety harness.
Sitting back, gazing up at the tall pines where older siblings swung like Tarzan, the forest echoed with shouts and laughter. At the training site, a group of youths tightened their safety belts, listening to the instructor reiterate safety principles as if each word was a lifeline.
Nguyen Minh (Dong Da, Hanoi) looked at the wooden bars, ropes designed at the level of the pine tops with fearful eyes, admitting to a fear of heights.
However, after encouragement, Minh also joined in. Slower than teammates but ultimately completing the series of games designed to increase in height from 1m to over 20m.
'I slipped four times, the safety line swinging on the cable, but I managed to continue the journey on my own without needing rescue,' Minh recounted excitedly.
Building Physical Fitness and Courage
Mr. Nguyen Phu, overseeing the high rope activities in the Datanla pine forest area, explained that the high rope course, based on mature pine trees, is a variation of the High Rope Course adventure.
This type of activity, not yet widespread in Southeast Asia but gaining acceptance in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, is a challenge (both physically and mentally) aimed at building teamwork skills and personal development.
There are two types of courses: high ropes and low ropes. Low rope courses usually take place on the ground or at heights below 1m.
High rope courses are built on tall trees or artificial poles. This activity requires specialized safety equipment.
Mr. Phu emphasizes the necessity of special safety harnesses for this game, prohibiting players from simultaneously opening two safety hooks attached to the harness.
'In every situation, adventurers on the high ropes must be secured to safety lines designed to withstand approximately 2 tons of force,' Mr. Phu stated.
The high ropes course is referred to by various names, including Challenge Courses, Rope Challenge Courses, Team Courses, and others. Each term has similar implementation methods and is related to military training activities.
According to coach Ngoc Huy, players may be excited during the game but exhausted afterwards. Mental preparation is required for sore limbs and muscles for several days. 'The principle of the game requires participants to continuously exert physical strength, with safety equipment ensuring safety but not providing assistance,' Huy said.
Game designer Siu Hrill pointed to a young person sitting under a large pine tree, panting: 'That person just climbed like Spiderman on the huge net between two pine trees. Not letting go halfway shows strong determination.'
As one of the original game designers along with French and Indonesian engineers, Siu Hrill explained that the pine trees used for anchoring cables and various safety equipment must be assessed by a team of French experts for age and health, using complex calculations to determine load-bearing capacity.
'The pine trees remain intact despite the considerable amount of equipment hung high,' Siu Hrill affirmed.
Safety for Players and Pine Forest Protection
According to Mr. Nguyen Phu, experts advise against causing any harm to the pine trees for any reason, as it is a principle to ensure the safety of players.
'After a period of activity, safety inspection organizations and expert groups will return to check and provide further recommendations for tree health,' Mr. Phu stated.
According to Mr. Phu, this game is currently only available in Dalat, with service fees ranging from 140,000 to 350,000 dong per person depending on age and difficulty level.
According to Tuoi Tre Newspaper
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Source: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourJune 22, 2016
