On Tree - Windsor, NS | The Local Traveler

Through our travels, one of our ongoing goals has been to challenge ourselves. For example, we both have a fear of heights (read: terrified of heights). So when we heard about On Tree (@ontreepark), the outdoor adventure park in Windsor, we were both hesitant (Gillian) and intrigued (Drew). Located on the cross country ski portion of Martock, On Tree has transformed the area into a maze of ziplines, Tarzan ropes and tightropes more than 20 feet in the air. On a Sunday afternoon, we packed a picnic and headed to Windsor to meet up with some friends. Upon arrival we were told it would be about an hour and a half wait. In reality, it was only about 30 minutes. The place seemed popular though! After collecting our gear, an instructor helped strap us into a number of belts, hooks and helmets, and took us through a practice course. On Tree has taken all kinds of safety precautions to ensure you enjoy swinging from tree to tree 20-40 feet in the air with nothing beneath you. The harness features two heavy-duty Carabiner clips that use a German lock system (set so that only one can be unlocked at a time). There are guides throughout the course to advise you through difficult situations (these will happen), and to rescue you if need be. Back to our fear of heights. Mine was somewhat negated by imagining being Chewbacca swinging around the Ewok Village on Endor so I eagerly strapped into my harness and helmet. I found that I was so focused on whatever task was on hand, whether it was stepping from swinging block to block or rockclimbing to get to the suspended bicycle, that I wasn’t even thinking about how high up I was. Gillian had a more difficult time. She did her best to get over her fear of heights, but found it, and parts of the course, very challenging. She also had a faulty Carabiner, which she struggled with throughout the day. That Carabiner eventually completely locked her onto the mid-point of one of the courses (which is how we know about the rescue team). The caution I will make is to pace yourself. The $35 entry fee gets you 3 hours, and you will almost certainly wear yourself out. OnTree Park is the largest course of its kind in Canada. There are eight courses with varying degrees of difficulty. If you’re the type who is into physically-challenging adventure, or very unique exercise this is the place to go.