Taking on Catamount Aerial Adventure Park

I'd like to think of myself as an adventurous person.

When I have a free weekend I like to explore the Hudson Valley, trying out new trails, kayaking on the river and finding something new to love about where I live. Something I haven't done is ziplining.

A handful of my friends have told me to try it out if I ever go to a vacation destination that offers it. Why should I have to spend a fortune to enjoy the thrill of ziplining when I can do it right here in my backyard?

Catamount Aerial Adventure Park, located in Hillsdale, New York, offers up a ton of fun right here in the Hudson Valley. They have over 50 zip lines, 12 high ropes courses and over 170 elements.

Of course, I had to check this out for myself.

Once you're harnessed up, you head out for a brief but informative safety class. The staff at Catamount went above and beyond to make sure everyone who was in for the adventure knew what they were doing and followed safety guidelines.

Then the fun begins.

Heading up the trail my adrenaline was pumping. I could hear the zipping sound from the ziplines and looked up and I saw a man flying across the bottom of Catamount Mountain. Oh yeah, I was pumped.

Josh, a Catamount staffer, took me to the ropes course first. He explained that much like skiing, the ropes courses have difficulty levels. From the easiest level to the hardest it goes yellow, green, blue, black and double black. Being a newbie, I opted for yellow.

While it was the easiest level, it was still challenging and one heck of a workout. The best part of the ropes course is that you also get to zip line to each course.

If you're looking for an adventure you have to check out Catamount Aerial Adventure Park. Ages 7 to adult are encouraged to give it a try. (They have tons of details on their FAQ page, and you can check out their pricing here).

I'm not going to lie, I had a small fear of heights, but after my first zipline, I was free of fear and ready to jump right in.

Catamount is open daily until Sept. 3 for their summer season. Their fall schedule starts Sept. 8; they'll be open every weekend through Oct. 28.

Are you ready for your next adventure?!