Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.09.2023, Page 32

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2023
32
Staring down a canyon and the
valley beyond, strapped into a
harness and hanging by a steel
cable, I can’t help but wonder
how I got here. The easy answer
is a scheduling conflict, allow-
ing me to graciously sub in for a
colleague. But given that I have a
troubling history of getting stuck
on ziplines, combined with the
fact that this one is waaaay higher
and waaaay longer than the last
one I attempted, I find myself
questioning my own judgement.
But let's start at the beginning.
Last month, Mega Zipline (the
longest and fastest in Iceland)
opened for business in Reykjada-
lur. Both Reykjadalur and neigh-
bouring Hveragerði enjoy their
fair share of popularity, offering
hiking trails, horse riding and
geothermal cuisine. But locals
and passersby alike tend to miss
out on the stunning Svartagljú-
fur canyon and the river carving
through it – even though both are
right there to the side of the road
as you drive the switchbacks up
or down the mountainside when
arriving in or leaving town.
Company founder Hallgrímur
Kristinsson, or Halli, had this
overlooked location in mind be-
fore building the Mega Zipline.
The fact that it’s not too far out-
side of Reykjavík, combined with
the accessibility of other attrac-
tions in the area also help. So
enamoured is he with the area,
he even has plans to eventually
build a type of alpine coaster next
to the canyon to further augment
the area’s activities.
Before I suit up for my go on the
zipline, Halli tells me about some
of the tech behind it, like the safe
launch system used to eliminate
human error. It essentially pre-
vents the gates at the top of the
tower from opening before ev-
erything is set and ready at the
landing dock. Then there are the
regular inspections and routine
measurements of cable tension,
sensors in the helmets keeping
track of flyers and a camera sys-
tem. I’m already starting to feel
better about this whole outing.
After reading and signing the
waiver at the Mega Zipline re-
ception, some other brave souls
and I are instructed on how to get
into the harness for our “Free as
a Bird” flights and primed on po-
sitions for speeding up, slowing
down and preparing for landing
– “pencil,” “starfish” and “legs up
and hold on,” respectively. Got it.
We’re then shuttled part way to
the launch tower in a van before
hiking the remaining five to 10
minutes to the tower. I am ad-
mittedly slightly out of breath by
the time we’re at the top of the
canyon. The situation has become
very real, very fast. But I try to
enjoy the view as my harness is
attached to one of two cables that
run a full kilometre from the pla-
teau back down into the valley.
I tell myself that, at this angle,
there’s no way I can get stuck
again. Plus, my cousin isn’t here
WE TRIED IT
Love at First Flight
Taking Flight on Iceland’s Mega Zipline
Words: Catherine Magnúsdóttir Photos: Art Bicnick
Flight provided by Mega Zipline, megazipline.is
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