Woman zipped Big Mountain for 80th

Barbara Kemler of Lakeside zipped through the trees with the greatest of ease, celebrating her 80th birthday with sport at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

“This was just something this 80-year-old lady wanted to try,” she said, laughing. “I had to chicken out after the first run because it was so hot. I almost passed out.”

Her adventure fulfilled a dream she has held since last March, when she first saw a zip line in Maui, Hawaii. Kemler wanted to go for it, but she couldn’t talk her travel companion into giving it a try with her.

Instead, Kemler added zip lining to her bucket list. Her opportunity arrived a few months later as she discussed how to celebrate her 80th birthday with her son Steve.

Even though Whitefish Mountain Resort’s zip lines are much higher and steeper than the gentle Maui attraction, Kemler told her son that was the adventure she wanted to make the landmark birthday memorable.

“I startled my son because he kept telling me, ‘Mother you wouldn’t do that,’” she said. “I said, ‘Oh yes I would.’”

According to Kemler, Steve had good reason to question her desire for an adrenaline rush. She admitted with a laugh that she was “kind of sissified.”

Yet, in her mind, she had dreamed of trying adventurous sports like paragliding. Kemler said she decided she was too old for jumping off cliffs with a kite strapped to her back.

During their discussion, Steve suggested a tandem jump out of an airplane like former President George H.W. Bush did for his 75th, 80th and his 85th birthdays. Kemler wasn’t prepared to go that extreme.

“That’s a long way down,” she said.

Kemler finally convinced Steve that she wanted to zip line, so he made a reservation for her along with their friend Kelly Susen. They chose the four zip line tour that included the “Easy Come, Easy Go” 100-foot zip, the “Clothesline” 800-foot zip, the “Heaven” 1,500-foot zip and “The Floater” 1,300-foot thrill ride.

The day after her official birthday on Sept. 22, Kemler and her zipping partner Susen waited in line with an interesting array of people. She said she was one of the older people but not the only senior wanting to zip.

“There were two ladies that were in their 70s,” she said.

According to Kemler, the resort staff were very nice and put her at ease as they strapped her into her helmet and paragliding harness before clicking it onto the zip line. She called them very solicitous.

“When they put the harness on us, I told the little instructor, Josh, that it felt like a baby must feel with a loaded diaper,” she said with a laugh. “ When you sit down, it’s fine. ... It’s very comfortable.”

Kemler had no problem fitting into the height requirement of at least 54 inches and the weight restriction of no more than 230 pounds. Her petite companion Susen just made it into the height requirement.

The attendants explained how to get the most out of the zipping adventure.

“You lay down like a torpedo with your feet straight out, and you’re leaning way back and your hands are at your sides,” she said. “As you go down, they tell you to spread your arms and legs like a starfish.”

She and her friend launched down the “Easy Come, Easy Go” 100-feet zip that lasted just a couple of minutes but made a fun memory for Kemler. Unfortunately, the heat of the midafternoon was too much for her to continue.

“I was so mad at myself because I was so looking forward to this,” she said. “But it was lovely. I enjoyed it.”

She said she may try it again but would schedule for the morning instead of the afternoon. Kemler recommends the Whitefish Mountain Resort zip lines adventure to other seniors looking for a new experience at an affordable cost.

“They were most gracious — they really watch out for you,” she said. “I felt very well taken care of.”

For more information on the local zip lines, visit the Whitefish Mountain Resort website at www.skiwhitefish.com/zip_line_tours.php.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.