The Phillipines gets four new zip lines and ecotourism efforts continue

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High in the hills of Floridablanca, in the Phillipines, is a blooming haven of nature and man-made structures in a domain preserved and nurtured by Aetas, an upland blend of ecological and tourism adventure that is Nabuclod.

Much has been written and heard of the once untapped spot — except maybe its people in the resettlement site — until Governor Lilia Pineda and Second District Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo teamed up to harness its potential, so indigenous people there could reap the benefits of what is now known as the Nabuclod Upland Eco-Tourism Adventure.

On dawn Saturday, the governor led the Capitol horde, along with friends and representatives from Pampanga media, in planting hundreds of trees as a prelude to her 61st birthday on February 21. The gift was meant to breathe greater life to the 5,000-hectare development project where now stand two of four zip lines and cable cars.

“By the summer season, we would have completed the zip lines as well developed a large part of Nabuclod for eco-tourism. Our desire is for it to be self-sustaining, especially its agricultural part where Aetas would be able to supply the province and even Manila with vegetables of all kinds. We are almost there,” shared Governor Pineda.

The Nabuclod Upland Eco-Tourism Adventure, she said, features two viewing decks where the splendor of Pampanga meets the eye; the thrilling zip-lines and cable cars Second District Board Member Olga Frances David-Dizon described as amazing and enjoyable; the bike and ATV [all-terrain vehicle] trail frequented now by mountain riders; the stairway to Bolben; the camping site where members of the National Movement of Young Legislators led by 3rd District Board Member Trina Dizon would pitch their tents on February 25 for their own tree planting day; the very green agri area and the proposed Grotto on the religious side.

Added 4th District Board Member Nestor Tolentino, chair of the Nabuclod Project technical working group: “This upland eco-tourism project is actually a build-operate-transfer with investors. Capitol’s expense on this is very minimal. The potential is so big that in the near future, Nabuclod would be one of the favorite tourist spots in Pampanga. The people here are assured that nothing will be destroyed and their natural environment preserved and protected.”

First District Board Member Tarcicio “Tars” DC Halili– who described his first-ever zip line ride as very good — readily agreed and noted that he will file a resolution calling for the creation of a Nabuclod Tourism Council which will complement the technical working group on the master plan.

“The Nabuclod Tourism Council could then manage the project and see to its efficient operations,” he said.

Going to the top of Nabuclod is already an adventure in itself. Along the zigzagging paved roads, Aeta kids greet and wave to passersby, welcoming them warmly into their haven. The less than hour’s drive upon entering the main street past Basa Air Base is never boring with greeneries all around and scenes of human interests, of daily life that is Nabuclod for the keen-eyed photographer.

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• The State of the Himalaya (chimalaya.org)
• Pilgrim, green and eco tourism initiatives in Kottayam, Idukki districts (thehindu.com)
• Dome-Shaped Eco-Tourism Center in France is a Living Room in the Woods (inhabitat.com)

From About.com: How to Zip Line

1. What is a zipline tour?

   One zipline lover describes it as “being as close as you can get to flying across the top of the jungle.” Participants don a harness with a caribiner that is attached to a wheel on a cable strung between trees. You push off from a platform on one tree and zip along the cable to a platform on another tree. You can be anywhere from 20- to 80-feet off the ground and, literally, flying between the trees at a height in jungles where birds and monkeys hang out on the branches.

2. Different types of zipline tours

   Zipline tours vary both in length and style. Many tours in Costa Rica and other countries with jungles or rainforests include a jeep tour to the zipline site during which a guide tells you about the wildlife and flora. At some mountain resorts, the zipline experiences are near the base of summer-green ski slopes and the first zipline is reachable via a chairlift. Some experiences only have five or six ziplines; others have many more strung between trees.

3. What does the basic training include?

   Ideally, the experience will include some “how to” information plus a safety briefing. You’ll learn how to put on the harness, latch onto the cable and how to brake if you want to slow down while zipping on a cable. After you learn the basics and watch a demonstration, you may get a chance to practice once or twice on a short zipline that is just a few feet off the ground.

4. Who enjoys zipline tours?

   Many zipline experiences can be enjoyed by entire families. But before you book, ask about the number of ziplines and the heights at which they are strung to make sure you are comfortable with the heights for both you and your children. Also, make sure of the age, weight and height limits.

5. What do I need to wear and bring?

   You should wear long pants and gym shoes or hiking boots. Shoes must not have open toes. If you have long hair put it in a pony tail. Use a strap to keep your glasses secured. Don’t have any sharp objects, such as keys or pens in your pockets. Keep your camera in a case close to your body, not dangling on a strap. The company should provide the harness, a helmet and gloves. But, confirm that they provide all three.

6. Do I need to be in great physical condition?

   The answer depends upon the tour. A basic zipline experience requires little physical exertion, although it’s not for anyone who has a serious fear of heights). If the tour you want to take includes hiking, mountain biking, kayaking or other activities, you’ll have to be in the proper shape to participate.

7. What’s the minimum age?

   Always verify the minimum age before you book the tour. Some tours require participants be 18 years or older.

8. Are there minimum and maximum weights?

   Brad Morse of Canopy Tours, Inc., says that anyone on the big side concerned about fitting into a harness properly should check in advance with any waist-size requirements and ask if there is a chest harness or full body harness.

9. How much do these tours cost?

   Prices vary dramatically depending upon whether it’s just a zipline experience, or if the zipline tour is part of a longer tour that might include a jeep tour to the site where the ziplines are set up and lunch. They can cost as little as $45 for just the zipline experience up to $120 or more for a zipline experience and other activities.

10. Companies offering zipline tours

    Zipline tours are offered in many places around the globe from Whistler and Alaska in North America to Hawaii, Costa Rica and New Zealand. Canopy Tours, Inc. has a directory of Zip Line tours around the world. With Kauai Backcountry Adventures you can zoom down a mountainside on a series of 7 ziplines.

11. How do you find zipline tours?

    Many vacation packages offer a zipline tour option and other countries you can usually book them through the hotel concierge or front desk. You can also book before you go directly with a company via its Internet site.

Zipline in Lake Tahoe

Heavenly Resort in Lake Tahoe claims to have the longest zip line in the United States, stretching 3,300-feet. Be prepared for a fast, steep descent because the 525-foot vertical drop matches that of the Space Needle. The zipline is open year-round, so whether there’s snow on the ground or the slopes are summer-green, you’re guaranteed spectacular views as you descend.

The Heavenly Flyer zipline propels riders over treetops at speeds up to 50 miles per hour – and the total ride time is about 80 seconds. With two separate lines, you could even zip down side-by-side with a friend.

Weather permitting, the Heavenly Flyer zipline is open 10:30 am to 5 pm in the summer and 10am to 3 pm in the winter. During the winter months, the Heavenly Flyer is offered at Adventure Peak, with other snowsport activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, sledding and snowbiking. Summertime, you can fly down the Heavenly Flyer zipline in between scaling a 25-foot-high multi-ability climbing wall or taking a hike on the trails threading the resort.

Rides are $30 ($20 for passholders who present an active Heavenly season pass). Lift tickets and sightseeing tickets are sold separately and are required to take the Heavenly Gondola then the Tamarack Express chairlift to reach the zipline’s Launching Pad.

For more information visit Heavenly Resort.  And I can tell you from experience, nothing gives you a rush like going down a fast zip line, even though it’s much safer than the car ride to get there.