The Day I Chicked Out

I'm not really an outdoor adventure kind of person but if given a chance, I don't mind to try out some outdoor activities. And so, I decided to go and try the Extreme Challenge at SkyTrex. Knowing that this is the toughest course among the 3 courses that they have, I was kind of scared to try it out. I browsed their website and found out that Extreme Challenge comprises of 22 challenges with 22m high platforms. So basically, we are about 7-storey high. Furthermore, I have the fear of height too. Despite the fear, I still want to try it out! And so, I did it today!

We started by learning how to hook ourselves the proper way on the cables as we will be very high from the ground. A single mistake can literary means death. Then, after practicing on the lower ground, we started on the real thing. And boy, the real thing is seriously high! Climbing the ladder is already streneous as it's pretty high! I can barely take it. I have to stop each time to rest. I guess, when they say I'm lampung, it's true. When it comes to flying fox time, I was really quite scared to let go and just slide down. To those who are not sure what is flying fox, it is actually you hooking on the cable and just release yourself up in the air as you are flying (more like sliding) to the next platform.

So, what I did was... I close my eyes and just let go! When in the air already, I open my eyes and felt, is actually quite OK. However, when I reached to the next platform, I didn't manage to land properly, I was pulled back and got stuck in the middle of the cable. Yes, my first flying fox experience was already so embarrassing. The instructor had to come and rescue me. But, after that... I managed to get the hang it, and guess what, I really like doing it. It was fun! However, after reached the second platform, is time to climb another high ladder. And that's equally tiring again! When I climbed the ladder, I felt my body is going to give up anytime. When I reached the top, I just took a breather right away! I can't go on continuously. After I felt quite OK already, I go on flying again.

The most challenging part for me was, the one where we had to balance ourselves on some round stool-lookalikes, tied together. Although we have a cable for us to hold on, the balancing seriously is not easy. After that, swinging on the rope to the other platform. And that seems like a fear factor challenge to me although it is easy. Guess my fear of height kicked in during that time. After telling myself to just do it, I managed to swing to the other side (that also I almost fell!). Then, came the one crossing/walking on the ropes. You are allowed to only put one foot onto the rope and put the other on the next. So, it requires balancing again. And guess what, at this part... I was practically panicking. I really lost control. But after awhile I got the hang of it. At this point, I really felt like puking! I guess my strength and energy have maxed out. But, I told myself I can do it!

And so, the next one was... the stepping on tube after tube to cross to another platform. And this, I seriously felt like giving up. I lost balance quite a few times and I literary want to puke. My energy and strength have all drained out. And guess what, upon reaching the platform, I lose control and I fell! Luckily, I was hooked onto the cable and was left hanging. But the instructor is nowhere to be found to save me this time! Luckily, a kind civilian helped me out. I tried to pull myself towards him by pulling on the rope nearby. After catching my hand, he tried to pull me towards him and was almost successful, until I managed to sit on the platform a bit but still unstable. He had to forcely pulled me up on the platform and that, I felt so terrible and embarrassing. Terrible because he had to pull the heavy me and embarrasing as I felt seriously so useless and helpless then! After that, I told myself, that's it! I can't climb another ladder or do anything anymore. I'm seriously MAXED OUT! So, I took the Chicken Exit (they are called that, seriously) and quit halfway. Actually, before that, there's a shortcut, to cut all those. If I had gone that, probably I will have some energy left to complete the rest. PROBABLY.

Yes, kind of sad that I couldn't finish it while my other friends made it till the end. My friends were worried for me too, kept on calling where am I and I've also slowed down some people behind me. :( Apparently, after another high climb up the ladder and few more challenges, you're done. But I know, I really can't make it anymore. Really lampung! My upper body strength is completely drained out! So, in order for me to do it again, I need to train my upper body. We plan to do another challenge which is the Big Thrill. In this challenge, lesser climbing on ladders but more on flying fox, which is good. But until then, I really got to buck up and lose more weight! Too heavy to even carry myself, I guess. :P And guess what, my arms are all bruises now, as if I've been abused. LOL! All in all, to me, this is seriously test your strength, fear and agility and... I lose out to strength and agility. I managed to overcome my fear (somehow or rather). At least I can say I chickened out not because I was scared but because, I was completely drained out! :P

Us backed by the forest: 8 successful, 1 failed

P/S: Apparently, the first time they launched the Extreme Challenge, it was 5 hours long (ours about 2+ hours long) and only 3 people managed to complete till the end. The rest have to be saved. Imagine me, long time already collapsed! LOL!