Monkeying about - Krystyna Chauncey, Saas-Fee
Friday October 16, 2009 - Email this article to a friend

I’m hanging off a thin wire about 20m above the ground with my arms aching, my heart beating slightly faster than it should do and I have a rather dry mouth.

To tell you the truth I’m a bit scared.

In front of me my 13-year old daughter is larking about swinging on a branch like a primate and behind me my teenage son is offering words of encouragement as I try to grab a rope that is, tantalisingly, just out of reach. 

Way down beneath me are some rather large looking rocks.

I’m in the Swiss resort of Saas-Fee high up in the Alps at over 1,800m and I have been talked into doing the “Adventure Forest”.  It is a series of hanging bridges, rope lines, netting and obstacles.  It looks fun from the ground but up in the trees, well, that’s another matter.

Tiring on the armsIt is of course totally safe and we had been given a short instruction course by the guides and at all times you are attached to safety ropes so even if you do slip you will not fall.

However as I try to grab the rope that is not the point.  I am not designed to be swinging around in the trees as I prefer my feet firmly on the ground.

As I reach the rope, finally get my hand round it and pull myself up on the platform I feel a quite degree of satisfaction.  I have made it.

“If my kids can do it without a hint of being scared then why can’t I?” It is, I tell myself, simply mind over matter.

The next part of the course is over some wooden logs, so, I decide to approach in a different mental state.

“I’m going to put my fears to one side and just get on with it and enjoy it,” I tell myself through gritted teeth.

but great funAnd you know what?  I did.

All of a sudden I was having fun and realising that it wasn’t actually that difficult and it was certainly fun. 

To some of the adventurous mountain climbers and glacier skiers in Saas-Fee at this time of year the “Adventure Forest” would literally be a walk in the park.  But to me it was a challenge but once I had come to terms with swinging about in the trees, it was enormous fun.

It was especially good to be doing it with my kids and we had  such fun as they coaxed me through the obstacles.

The park was constructed 6 years ago and is one of the  most popular summer attractions in Saas-Fee.

“We get all types of people doing the course from families like yourself to adults and even climbers wanting a bit of exercise,” says the head guide, Dominik “Dodo” Buetikofer.  He keeps a watchful eye on proceedings to ensure no-one is hurt. “We’ve never had a serious accident here though a few people have fallen over on the ground by tripping over rocks and tree roots.”

When we finished the course after a couple of hours I was pleased with myself; a combination of having overcome a challenge and had great fun in the process.

Would I recommend it to other nervous Mums?Yes.

Would I do it again? You bet.

The Adventure Forest has several different routes with varying degrees of difficulty, The Introduction Route, The Discovery Route and The Long Route.  Prices start at 15sf (£8.50) for children and 20sf (£11.41) for adults. 

For more information see here and further details about Saas-Fee click here.

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