Tuesday 22 August 2017

Go Below Ultimate Xtreme Underground Adventure with Red Letter Days

There was a time in my life when I was adventurous, daring and confident. I travelled around the world alone. I jumped from boats into the sea and I climbed Mt Kilimanjaro. You name it, I wanted to try it. This all changed when I became a parent. Part of that adventurous side of me disappeared and I began to overthink things. I developed a terrible fear of heights and falling. I suppose I always had that fear but it was never as bad as it has been in recent years. I wanted to get back my fearless attitude to life as I felt like i'd lost a part of me, so when Red Letter Days UK offered me the chance to do the Go Below Ultimate Xtreme Underground Adventure, I knew I couldn't say no. 



There are so many things on my bucket list that I have been unable to do due to my fear of heights and falling. I knew the best way to get over this was to face the fear head on. However, after watching youtube videos of the experience, my nerve was starting to fade. The worst part was watching people doing the 70 foot free-fall jump, the screams were haunting me.

The Ultimate Xtreme underground adventure takes place deep in the heart of the Welsh mountains and lasts all day. Steeped in history, you encounter the experience in an old slate mine. it includes negotiating subterranean tracks, traversing, climbing, abseiling, whizzing along the world's longest and deepest underground zipline and ending with an epic 70 foot free-fall jump into an abyss. 

The day arrived and as I sat eating my breakfast I felt sick. Sick through fear and nervousness excitement. I had my husband with me to try and keep me sane and ensure that I didn't back out. 

We arrived at the meeting point where we met the rest of our group and our very friendly guides from Go Below. We were kitted out in our safety gear and started the walk to the entrance of the old mine. 




When we got to the locked gate, my legs started to wobble. I'm not going to lie, it honestly reminded me of a scene from a horror movie. Leaving the normal world and entering a deep, dark tunnel all seemed a bit surreal. It didn't help that once we got inside, 2 ladies from a previous group were being guided out as they were too frightened to do the adventure. Call me stupid but I honestly hadn't anticipated how dark it would be. I knew we were going underground but I had expected it to be lit up slightly. However, we were informed that when Go Below took over the mine they wanted it to be as authentic as possible and for it not to be turned into a show mine. 

Our first challenge consisted of traversing across a wall and then onto our first zip-wire. My face was a picture (literally). Sheer terror struck. I was petrified and it was only the start of the day. I wanted to run away, give up, but something kept me going (I think it was our amazing guide).



Overcoming those first 2 challenges did me the world of good and started to give me a bit of a confidence boost. i can't describe the feeling but the realisation that the zip-wire swing was actually enjoyable once i'd gotten to the other side was a surprise. Things were looking up...was I actually enjoying myself? Surely not?





Next up was our first climb. I've been climbing before so this part didn't phase me too much. The only problem I faced was my height (or lack of). I am only 5 foot tall and I can assure you that certainly went against me during the whole challenge. I had to stretch further and jump further. Stupid short legs, holding me back.





Through the whole day you were in charge of your own safety. We were taught how to use the harness, carabiner and navigate the ropes. Something that isn't particularly easy when your hands are shaking through fear.



As the day went on the challenges became more extreme and more difficult. You'd have thought that I would have become more confident but there were a few experiences that really tested me and pushed me to my limits. Before i'd started the challenge, I had thought that the free-fall jump would have been the worst part of the day. It was what I feared the most. I couldn't have been more wrong...





After climbing and navigating our way around the above wall we came face to face with what can only be described as my worst nightmare. It was 2 beams from old tracks and bridges with a rope up high in-between the 2 beams. We had to walk across them. This was my goliath. There was no way I could do it. I'll admit, I had a tiny cry. I have never been so frightened. The fear of losing my balance and falling was getting the better of me. Our fantastic guide somehow managed to convince me to go for it and with that I set off. I looked straight ahead and made sure not to look down. Before I knew it, I was on the other side. I couldn't believe it. It was such an achievement for me.



Last up was the jump. All day we had been leading up to this moment. I knew i'd already exceeded my expectations through doing some of the other challenges but could I manage to attempt this final, epic task. We got to the ledge and I thought, i've come this far so i'm going to give it a go. I decided i'd have to go first. The memories of those youtube videos made me realise that if I didn't go first and I heard someone screaming them I never would do it. 

I wobbled my way to the edge. Everything was attached. I stared down into the abyss. Various thoughts and questions were playing on my mind. Could I overcome my fear? Can I even Jump? I'm gonna die. You name it, I thought it. I couldn't do it. Our guide who had been my rock during the whole day, gave me a motivational talk and decided to count me down. 3, 2, 1...and I leapt. I landed at the bottom with an almighty thump and a huge smile on my face. Wow, it was incredible. I was giddy with pride and excitement. 

I wish I could've bottled up that feeling. I felt like I was on cloud 9. Adrenaline still oozing through my veins and a kick ass attitude. I felt unstoppable. So proud of myself. Facing your fears head on is such an incredible feeling. The whole day was almost surreal but what an amazing achievement. I was on a high. I felt strong, powerful and confident. I felt like me again.

I cannot thank Red Letter Days UK and Go Below for this fantastic opportunity. The guides were outstanding. So supportive and encouraging. They made you believe anything was possible and it really was. It was such a special, unique experience that I will never forget.


You can watch my video of my day over on youtube:




I feel the adrenaline junkie in me has returned again and i've now got itchy feet for my next adventure. 

* Myself and my husband were provided the voucher for Go Below from Red Letter Days UK in exchange for our honest opinions and experiences in this review*



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32 comments

  1. That looks so heroic. I cant imagine how you did that. So well organised and policed. Im certainly gonna be looking at my own red letter day

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  2. You're braver than me! There's no way I could do this - well done for overcoming your fears :)

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    1. Thank you. Can't believe how much I enjoyed it in the end x

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  3. What an adventure, I am scared of heights too but well done you for conquering your fears and doing this.

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    1. Thank you. It was honestly awesome x

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    2. Glad to hear it, I conquered my fear in June by swinging off a gorge in Bali. I screamed all the way through but loved it.

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  4. Wow you are far braver than me, I don't think I could have handled something like this and the darkness would have made me feel worse x

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    1. I think being in the dark actually helped me as I couldn't see what was around me properly lol x

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  5. OMG! Kerry you are a hero! How did you do all that without bursting into tears lol. Good on you, it looks so much fun but I know I just couldn't do it. I have cried at the top of a shopping mall as the floor was glass and I couldn't go forward or backwards. I'm such a wimp

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  6. Wow go you! I am hugely claustrophobic so no way could I do this, but my husband and my eldest would jump at the chance!

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  7. Aw! You are brilliant ! Well done for confronting your fear head on and I think that you are very brave. On another note the Welsh mountains are stunning !

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    1. They sure are. I'm ashamed to say that was my first ever time to north Wales x

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  8. Oh wow. I definitely wouldn't of been able to do this . Your one brave woman :)

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  9. OH MY GOD, this looks amazing but also terrifying! One of my biggest fears is being trapped underground, so possibly not for me, but wow - go you!

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  10. That looks like so much fun, I would love to try that. I have got my adventurous side back now too

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  11. I would never be brave enough to do this, but it looks like an amazing experience for someone with more courage!

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  12. WOW! I know what you mean, I think becoming a parent, makes you overthink things for your childrens safety! This LOOKS crazy, your braver than me, I have a little adventerous side, but being underground scares me silly, haha!

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  13. This looks like an amazing experience. I would love to do this with my partner. It looks like good fun.

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  14. oh wow, not too sure how I feel about this! If it wasn't in a cave I think I would be fine. Well done for overcoming your fears and panic x

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  15. Oh my God, Kerry this looks amazing! Absolutely terrifying, but amazing! I'd love to try something like this, although like you I'm scared of heights. You must be so proud of yourself x

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  16. Wow - my worst fear is being stuck in the dark, underground and could never imagine caving so well done you!!! You must be so proud :D x

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  17. Yay! Well done you. There is no way I could master this. I am so claustrophobic it's unbelievable x

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  18. This looks amazing! How scary if you are scared of heights though! Well done you for doing it! You must be so proud of yourself.

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  19. Very brave of you doing that. It looks fun and id love to try out something like this too but I'd be scared I fall or something.

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  20. Wow what an experience! I would love to do something like this! Well done Kerry x

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  21. It must have been a huge sense of achievement when you completed this. I'm not sure I would have been so brave

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  22. I used to go caving at university and loved it. Such an amazing experience. Glad you enjoyed it all!

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  23. Wow what an adventure Kerry and you are really really brave, I get claustrophobic so I don't think I could do this! I was also really adventurous before kids, did everything but it's certainly heightened my fears after having kids

    Laura x

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  24. Wow! So brave. I just don't think I could've done that jump. Well done

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