Aerial ropes course at Fernwood Resort

Pocono TreeVentures

Stories from the trees

by Kuni, Kento, and Yoshi Matsui, guest bloggers

Pocono TreeVentures aerial ropes course consists of 14 acres through the trees at varying heights and difficulty levels. Each aerial ropes course offers a different challenge level and participants are encouraged to try all five courses.

In June, Kuni, 55, Kento, 16, and Yoshi Matsui, 12, tried their hands at the Pocono TreeVentures aerial ropes course, a challenging adventure for folks of all ages. While the father and sons trio were guests at Fernwood Resort and The Villas at Treetops and Fairway, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, they were offered an opportunity to test their strength and skills.

Outdoor Ventures Group designed and installed the aerial ropes course with safety as a priority and all participants are suited with a safety harness and they receive a briefing by trained staff before entering the beginner course.

Pocono TreeVentures aerial ropes course and Zip Racer are open year-round weather permitting. The number to call for current course conditions is 800-446-0231.

Leave your sandals and flip flops in your car because closed-toe shoes are required on the courses. 

“I’m sure that the view from 40 feet in the air is great, but it takes too much mental focus to even begin to think about the scenery. All you see are the obstacles and all we thought about is how to overcome them.” Kento 

Here’s what Kuni, Kento, and Yoshi had to say about their morning at Pocono Tree Ventures.

What were your expectations before you began the course? Were you nervous/anxious about the course and the height factor?

Kuni: We were excited because it looked like lots of fun, but we could not tell how high and how challenging it was from where we registered.

Yoshi: Getting geared up with harnesses was pretty cool because they (the harnesses) look like the ones we’ve seen on television survival shows.

What was the most enjoyable aspect of your time spent in the trees? Describe how the course began and progressed from beginning to end. Was it difficult from the beginning and consistent throughout the course or a gradual increase in difficulty?

Kuni: We had to go to a center starting platform to access each of the four courses, and decided to skip the beginner level, instead opting to take the intermediate path. The courses included a myriad of balance and strength obstacles that test your physical condition and coordination.

Yoshi: The 30 ft drop at the end…

Kuni: The “Skateboard” zip line…

Kento: My favorite place was the first zip line from the starting platform.

What was the approximate distance between you and the ground throughout the course? Did you feel safe?

Editor’s Note: The distance ranged from 20 to 40 ft off the ground.

Yoshi and Kuni: We felt safe because of the double harness system that ensured you are always connected to a safety wire.

Kento: Safe? Yes. The double harness was a really good idea. It ensured that there’s no chance of falling. Stable? No. The obstacles were designed to unbalance you and test your abilities. I enjoyed the feeling of adrenaline I felt and the little bit of instability made it even more fun.

What course did you follow? Beginner, intermediate or advanced? Is there a profound difference in the degree of difficulty from the beginner to advanced?

Editor’s Note: They followed two of the intermediate courses. One was more advanced than the other.

What were your thoughts as you progressed?

Kuni: There were a few obstacles on the second course that I couldn’t figure out how to do. I watched my sons ahead of me and mimicked their movements and I got through it.

Yoshi: When I felt apprehensive about any of the obstacles, I just pushed through and did them. I felt about the same about every obstacle.

Kento: I was the first (in my family) to go through every obstacle, so I was the one who had to figure out every problem we encountered, without any example to follow.

What are a few of the skills a person needs to have in order to complete the courses?

Kuni: Endurance and mental toughness

Kento: Balance, upper body strength

Yoshi: I think you need a good amount of courage.

Should you try the aerial ropes course at Pocono TreeVentures?

Kuni, Kento, and Yoshi agree the course is exciting, fun, and challenging.

Edited by Joan Mead-Matsui

Visit http://visitpoconos.com/Poconos-Articles/ArtMID/2889/ArticleID/480/You%E2%80%99ll-Feel-Close-to-Home-Fernwood-Resort-Ideal-for-Families-on-the-Go.aspx for a detailed wrap-up from my stay at Fernwood Resort.