Dragon lair: In this one, we (10 of us) were on a round wooden platform together. About 8 feet away was a rope hanging from a tree. Then about 8 feet farther was a tiny little platform that could comfortably fit about 2 people. 3 if you're careful. We were to transfer everyone from the round platform to the tiny one in 20 minutes, before the dragon came back and ate us all. And we couldn't touch the ground (besides the platforms) or we would turn into dragon guano! :) It was tough, but we finally lassoed the rope with our scarves and a shoe. Then we sent people across - I was terrified and cried the whole time pretty much. They lifted me up and I swung across where someone caught me. To make a very long story short, with a few "magical bricks" we made it across without anyone dying! Scary.
Giant Swing: This one was also terrifying. We were strapped into a sort of swing, then hoisted 30 feet in the air where we declared a big momentum, and then we had to let go. Again, I cried the whole time (you'll notice the pattern) - you know, I'm quite afraid of heights.
Trust Fall: We got up on a 4-5 foot post and fell backwards where our comrades caught us! That fall gave me more butterflies than the swing!
German Wall: This one was probably the scariest. We encountered a 16 foot wall - straight up and down, no holds, no ropes... nothing. We had to get every person over that wall, and once you got over you couldn't help anymore. You came back around and spotted, because no one was attached to ropes, and people fall. We were escaping over the wall to get to West Germany and escape the bad people. So someone let people stand on their shoulders, while someone up top would grab onto your hands. Then other people would piggy back and grab your feet and push them up. When it was my turn, I jumped into it before thinking about it (to save myself unneeded strife), but when I was halfway, as in hanging with nothing under my feet and two people struggling to not let me fall, I cracked. I started screaming and crying, and Autumn, who is the sweetest girl ever, said to me, "Alissa!! Look at me! I am NOT going to drop you. I've got you and I won't let go!" :) That was what got me over it. I was third up, and I have a HUGE bruise on my leg from being hoisted over the wall! Again, tears were shed. :) The other catch is that we couldn't talk. Only our leader (Tiffany) and assistant leader (Tanner) could. We also had 2 extra people, Doug and Jamie. Anyway, my sweet little buddy Ivana, who weighs about 118 lbs, lifted the second to last person up, and then looked at the wall.... She threw up her belt to Doug, who attached his and someone else's belt, and they leaned over and pulled her up by the belts (none of us could help). This was probably the most intense exercise we did.
Jump: Now, on to the most feared one. This time at least you were attached to a rope in case you fell. You climb up a 35-ft post (there are metal rungs), and somehow get on top of the platform, which is about 1-1.5 sq feet with nothing to hold on to. Then you declare what you are letting go and what you are jumping for, and you jump! You jump off and try to grab the trapeze bar that was pretty far away. A few people got it. I went last on this one! I wouldn't have done it at all if I hadn't agreed with myself ahead of time that I was going to try everything. So by the time it was my turn, I had talked myself into being capable of it. So I climbed up and up (taking a few breaks), and getting on the platform was really difficult. I closed my eyes the entire time because I knew if I saw how high up I was I wouldn't be able to do it. So I just pretended I was climbing on a tiny chair in my kitchen. It was much easier, although everyone said I was crazy. When I finally was standing, I opened my eyes and it took me a loooong time to jump. That was the scariest thing! I barely did a little hop and was lowered to safety. :)
Although I now have a twisted knee and killer bruise, I really enjoyed ropes course. I found respect for a lot of people there, who sacrificed and volunteered to lift people, and let the rest of us step on them - they never complained. I really admire them (they were mostly the guys) and appreciate them taking care of those who weren't as capable (like me!). It was awesome, and I learned I can do anything! If I can jump off a 35 ft post, I can do scary things. Anything. And people care about me, and want me to succeed too. I have a great family and pit crew that won't let me fall!
