Great Smoky Mountains - An Extremist Paradise

Great Smoky Mountains

An Extremist Paradise

by Jenny Ison

Publication Date: March 1997

Driving through Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, one gets the feeling they've been transported to Las Vegas, Nevada instead of being in this tiny mountain town. The bright and glaring, neon lights look like the casinos that line the streets of the world famous gambling strip...each bigger and brighter...beckoning the tourist to give it a try.

Unlike the casinos of Vegas, these neon fortresses are beckoning the risk taker, adrenaline rushing extremist to try the latest extreme sport for only $5 - $10 - $20. Yes, right here in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee you can find just about any kind of extreme and alternative sport you want to try...bungee jumping, skydiving, skiing, rip-line, go-cart racing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, etc., etc.

The Great Smoky Mountains that once used to entice the "Baby Boomers" with the pleasure of picnicking along a rippling mountain stream and spotting a bear now attracts thousands of people each year to experience the latest thrill...adrenaline rush. Even us Baby Boomers aren't too old to enjoy a good adrenaline rush!

One of the most popular thrills is bungee jumping. Banned in many states, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg offer numerous bungee towers that are sure to elevate your pulse and test your nerve as you take a 60 foot plunge from a 70 foot steel tower.

Or, what about dawning a climbing harness, climbing steps to the top of a 70 foot tower, and sliding (harness gear attached) down a 300 foot cord -- the latest "Rip Line."

You can also try your nerves (or stomach in my case) on the "Human Sling Shot." If you're the type that won't go alone, here's the one for you. Make your buddy or main squeeze go along as you are strapped into a swing-like apparatus held by two bungee cords on either side. As you are hoisted to the sky, the bungees are being pulled like a rubberband and suddenly...BOING...you're shot into the air, twisting forward, no backward, no on your head, no backward!

Ever want to be a NASCAR race driver? Try your skills on one of the numerous go-cart race tracks. Or, say you're not quite up to skydiving at 14,000 feet from a perfectly good plane? Get the sensation and thrill by trying simulated skydiving in a 21-foot wind tunnel, with wind speeds up to 115 miles per hour.

Perhaps you're more the athletic, outdoors type. It's all there for you too, whatever your pleasure...skiing, mountain biking, backcountry hiking/camping, whitewater rafting, kayaking. The great thing is the weather is comfortable year round for all these activities, and they are all within a 50 mile radius of each other.

Unlike Vegas, where you may run the risk of gambling away your life's savings, all you're gambling on here is a good time...you'll definitely end up a big winner!