{"id":42037,"date":"2017-08-21T07:01:28","date_gmt":"2017-08-21T07:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=42037"},"modified":"2017-08-21T07:01:28","modified_gmt":"2017-08-21T07:01:28","slug":"coolest-campsite-ever-hanging-off-a-cliff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/travel\/coolest-campsite-ever-hanging-off-a-cliff.html","title":{"rendered":"Coolest campsite ever: Hanging off a cliff"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coolest campsite ever: Hanging off a cliff<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

ESTES PARK, Colo. \u2014 Camping is commonplace in Estes Park. With crystal-clear lakes, snowcapped mountains and abundant wildlife, it\u2019s a magnet for those who love the great outdoors. But, what if your campsite was dangling from the side of a cliff, about 100 feet off the ground? Well, that\u2019s a whole different story.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, I sign up to spend the night snoozing under the stars on a portaledge, a nylon cot no bigger than the size of two sleeping bags. It\u2019s what you call cliff camping, a 24-hour experience where you hike up to base camp, then up to the top of Deville III, a nice little perch with views of Rocky Mountain National Park.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once there, you clip into fixed ropes and rappel down to the itty, bitty portaledge where you chow down on dinner and fall asleep (hopefully) until morning. After breakfast, you rappel back down to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are currently the only ones in North America offering this,\u201d says my guide, Dustin Dyer. \u201cThere\u2019s no prerequisites of skill. I mean, we have people that have never put on a harness before that can do this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Talk about a bucket-list item. And, believe it or not, it\u2019s something anyone can do. Scaredy cat or not.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMore often than not, we are working with complete first-timers,\u201d says Dyer. \u201cIt\u2019s really more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019s right. Although it takes some getting used to, I keep reminding myself that I\u2019m always anchored in and there\u2019s a backup. With my two expert guides, I\u2019m in good hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

The short hike up, before we harness in, is just plain fun, scrambling from boulder to boulder. Before long, the rock becomes more steep, so we rope in and continue upwards. Within an hour, we are at the top taking in views of Rocky Mountain National Park, Jurassic Park (a series of gorgeous domes) and Mummy Range.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s no wonder why Estes Park is such a popular destination. It\u2019s stunning, especially from this angle. It\u2019s not uncommon to see falcons flying by and hummingbirds are always around. They make a cute chirping sound almost like a cricket and then zoom away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Home sweet home<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Time to descend to our abode for the night. With two quick rappels, I let gravity pull me down the ropes. I land safely on the ledge and hook into a different rope. Now, here\u2019s the part most people don\u2019t expect: The ledge sways back and forth and side to side. That is, no doubt, jarring.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, when you are on the ledge, there is no barrier that prevents you from falling off the side. However, because you are securely roped in, you would only fall a few feet. And Dyer reassures me that that has never happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor people that are nervous, I like to focus a lot on real risk versus perceived risk,\u201d he explains. \u201cI consider driving to be much more dangerous than this. This is very slow, very controlled.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, it may seem dangerous. But the fact is: It isn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry, though: If this isn\u2019t your cup of tea, there\u2019s plenty to do on the ground like hiking, biking, paddleboarding or just strolling around the village.<\/span><\/p>\n

As I stare out into the vast wilderness, it hits me: There are no other humans anywhere in sight. Just river, rocks and mountain tops. The fact that I get to delve this deep into the wilderness with a relatively small amount of effort and in a short span of time, makes it more amazing still.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next, I scarf down dinner \u2014 pad thai warmed up on a Jetboil stove that hangs from the cliff \u2014 and tuck myself into my sleeping bag. The stars are brilliant. The air crisp.<\/span><\/p>\n

When I wake up around sunrise I check my fitness tracker that records my sleeping patterns. It shows that I woke up many times, but managed to get five hours of sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

While rappelling my way back to solid ground I decide that this is basically the best treehouse hideout you could ever possibly imagine. And being just a tiny speck on a huge mountain really puts things in perspective.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you go<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Cost: Cliff camping runs from May through September. The 24-hour experience is $1,200 for one person, or $800 per person if you have two people in your party. Food and gear is provided.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 What to do: Back on solid ground, rent bikes from Estes Park Mountain Shop, go boating at Estes Park Marina or enjoy a leisurely horseback ride among the epic scenery. Note: If you visit in October, you\u2019re in for a treat. Estes Park has one of the largest concentrations of wild elk in the U.S. Every fall, these colossal creatures make their way into town.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Where to stay: If you aren\u2019t ready to commit to a night on the side of a cliff, opt for the “Just Lunch or Dinner” program (starting at $425 per person) where you get to picnic on the side of the cliff 100 feet in the air. Then, snooze at the historic Stanley Hotel, where you\u2019ll undoubtedly get a full night\u2019s rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/travel\/destinations\/2017\/08\/18\/coolest-campsite-ever-hanging-off-cliff\/576386001\/<\/span><\/p>\n

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