Days with ‘FLYING FOX ASIA’ at Neemrana Fort.

Region:- Neemrana Fort, Rajasthan.

Route:- Delhi - Jaipur Highway.

Those were the days when I was a part of Flying Fox Asia, a UK based adventure organization, as an intern for 6 months. I would compliment my luck to get such an opportunity to the enjoy the most unique aerial journey above the Neemrana fort on the zip lines.

A zip-line, also known as a flying fox is one where one slide down a fixed stainless cable due to gravity with the help of a pulley attached to a harness. The zip lines are fixed in an inclined formed slightly upward at the other end, i.e. A stretch ‘U’. The basic concept of zipping was influenced by Hollywood, where one slide down the cable car wire with the help of leather belt.

6^th Jan, 2011.

Excited and anxious on my first day at the office, I reported to Sanjay, the site manager. On the very day I was asked to be with a group of people as one of them, who came to enjoy the awesome ride on the zip line. We hike for about 1.5 km to reach the starting point. We were accompanied by Rebecca, mostly known as Bex by teammates was my mentor at flying fox and our superman Raj as instructors. The first thing was  a session on Do’s and Don’ts at the top. Everyone except me had practiced before zipping on the real cable. Then finally the trip started Raj was the first among who flew down, I was the next person, I was quite nervous, but when I got clipped to the cable and I zip down through the cable, the feeling was amazing. The most important thing that to be taken care of is the control and the balance. Since everything depends on self control and consciousness, need to be careful at the same time as the control of the speed lies in your hands. The Neemrana site has five zip lines with different length.  My first zipping experience came to an end with lots of learning during the process.  Kulman Chai (tea) and a puff... After a tiring trip taste awesome makes the mind and body relaxed, but it's available only for staff. Finally, my first day came to an end with an awesome experience.

My training started from the next day onwards; started with the  checking of the cable, nuts, collars, u-bolt, etc. and opening of  the zip lines for clients which continues for a few days. Every Tuesday at the first half there is a training session for staff and finally came my first Tuesday with Flying Fox. I had a session on rescue and mock drills on first aid. Lucky enough to get  a positive feedback from my trainer (Bex) which has motivated me to work hard more and more. After a few days of training and a good remark on my report card, I was qualified and was appointed as a bottom bag instructor and to work with groups.

An incident which made me excellent on rope, I would like to share with you all, it was a day same as any other day I was on the zipping trip accompanied by Sanjay as top bag instructor with a couple of families from England.There was a little girl of around 12-13 yrs along with them. We trek up, then had the session of do’s and Don’ts, then we started our trip. Due to the wind movement on the day, the zip lines were running slow. We completed the first zip line and moved towards the second zip line (400 mts) which is named as “Where Eagles Dare” since I was the bottom bag instructor I had to zip down first and guide the people at the other end. Everything was going well then the small girl (sorry I forgot her name) zipping down the line suddenly got stuck in the middle. I was totally confused what to do at that very moment, since I had not rescued anyone from the cable other than my staff members during practice. Finally, I passed the message to the base through walkie talkie that I am on the cable for rescue. I was not confident enough whether I will be able to rescue without rope so I carried the rescue rope as back up. I zipped down the cable to the place she was stuck, in the middle of the line; she was scared, crying and  shivering. I looked down and understood her situation, hanging on a cable at that height above the ground, rescued her without the help of the rope. That particular day has helped me to realize my confidence and to be confident on the rope forever.

Kailash, Kapil(Master ji) and Kulman ,we all stayed together in the same accommodation,had some wonderful time  and memories with them both during work & after office hours too. After a few months Bex and Timo had left for UK since they had completed their contract with flying fox. Then came our new senior instructor George, who was transferred from Jodhpur site to Neemrana. Had some good time with George on the cable and as well as without the cable. Had a learned a lot from him. Thanks George!

I would give a special mention & thanks to  Chacha(Steve) our technical master, John and Dickee.

Had lots of learning and fun during my days at Neemrana.         

I am now finally qualified as a top bag instructor before my contract end with them.

I will surely recommend this experience, i.e. zipping on the line which is safe and unique.