Full-On - July 12th

We arrived early for our Full-On experience.  Full On is based out of New Zealand, but they also work in Australia, Italy, Wales...and I'm not sure where else. 

Paul, the guy who started the organization, talked to us about setting goals...about believing in yourself...about being positive...making good choices...not being someone who blames... real inspirational.  Then, in spite of the rain...and cold... we took off for our Absailing experience.  We drove to a farm that the farmer allows People to People to use.  We drove in, went into a tin shed, and got dressed in our harnesses, helmets, and then a parka over that to keep us dry...or fairly dry.  I didn't know if everyone would do the activity because of the rain and cold...but they did!  We hiked a good 30 minutes, through mud, over rocks, through more mud, until we got to cliffs about 105 feet tall.  When you came to the platform suspended 105 feet above the river, the Full On crew would attach you and your harness to another line so you couldn't fall off.  At that point, you got hooked up to the ropes...had a photo made, and had another instruction on how to hold and handle the ropes to either stop you or let yourself down.  Then, with your feet on the edge of the platform, you lowered your body down until your legs were at a 90 degree angle to your torso...like you were sitting... sitting over open air!  Then you slowly walked your feet down the ledge...until the ledge disappeared...and you were free falling.  It was spectacular...swinging around looking at the mountains (some snow covered) and the waterfalls.. it was gorgeous!  Blake, who doesn't like heights... did his first absailing experience - and loved it!

It took quite a while for all 49 of us to absail...then we hiked the 30 minutes back to the coach, and returned to the community hall where we had first met, and had another experience with Full On... breaking a board, a 1" thick board, with the palm of your hand.  I think most of us who attempted it were able to break the board, most on the first try!  I know when I felt the board break as I hit it, I was absolutely shocked!  It was great!  Many of us kept the two pieces of the board as a memento. 

We were a bit cold...a little wet... but feeling great about our accomplishments!  Coming back to Pudding Hill, we had dinner and spent the night just hanging out.

Great day!