Activity Tips
Kevin Ditamore – Owner / Manager
This tour is operated by the folks who started the zipline craze here in Hawaii with Maui’s first course on the slopes of Haleakala. With it’s unique location, many guests combine this activity with a visit to Haleakala National Park. Some people drive to the summit to watch a sunrise, and then do this tour on the way down at the 10:30am or 11:30am timeslots. Others will do this tour in the early afternoon, and then drive to the summit to watch a sunset.
The weather at this location is completely different than other places on the island. Because of its altitude, it is 10-15 degrees cooler than at sea level. Given its location on the west side of Haleakala, it is sheltered from the tradewinds and gets very little rainfall compared to windward sides of the island. If you are staying in a bed and breakfast somewhere in the rainforest and it is raining cats and dogs, don’t make the mistake of assuming your tour is canceled. This course RARELY has to cancel for weather … it is near a town called “Pukalani” which is Hawaiian for “hole in the sky.” This location is typically crystal clear in the mornings, with a layer of clouds that form in the late morning and early afternoon. Afternoon tours sometimes are conducted in very mysterious foggy conditions in this “cloud forest”, which just adds to the allure of this tour.
There are two different “technologies” used in zipline tours today. The classic zipline tour uses a climbing harness, carabiners, and a single attachment point to a small trolley which rides on the line. The newer and more heavy duty system that has popped up on many courses installed in the last few years uses a paragliding harness that feels like a built-in seat, with two attachment points (one on either side of you) to a much larger trolly. This type of equipment allows for longer lines and higher speeds (think lines that are a half mile long or more), but it feels more like a “ride” than a classic zipline. The Haleakala Zipline tour uses the classic climbing harness. Both types of ziplines are fun, but this classic type will make you feel more like an action hero in a “Die Hard” or “James Bond” sequel!
Please note the weight limits … guests must weigh between 60 pounds and 260 pounds. If you weigh 280 and say on the reservation form that you weigh 255, you will regret that decision. All participants are weighed upon check in, and if you fall outside of the range you will not get to do the tour and you won’t get a refund. The reason for the weight restrictions? Participants who weigh less than 60 pounds will consistently run out of speed near the end of a zipline and when they fail to reach the other side they will stop and then roll back to the middle of the line. This isn’t dangerous at all (as a matter of fact it can be fun to get stuck in the middle), but it takes significant time for a guide to rig up and extract the stuck individual. One or two guests who consistently come up short would throw their tour schedule into disarray. Participants who weigh over 260 pounds would cause a different problem. This one IS safety related. It isn’t that the equipment can’t handle the weight … it could handle the weight of a pregnant elephant. But heavy passengers can come in too fast exceeding the capacity of the braking system to safely slow them down. If someone in your party is right on the line at the weight limit, be honest about their weight when making a reservation and take appropriate measures (usually dieting). Then at least 48 hours before the tour stop by their location and get weighed. Anyone can be dropped from the reservation and get their money refunded if it is done at least 48 hours before the start of the tour. This gives them a chance to sell the space to someone else.
This course has 5 lines, and they have one tour option … it is one of the most affordable zipline tours in Hawaii, and it’s a great option for people who have never gone ziplining before. The first few lines are shorter and not real high off the ground, and this builds confidence for the longer and higher lines at the end of the tour.
There is a very modest amount of hiking on this tour, and the tour operator says you’ve got to be able to walk for a half a mile. You don’t have to be a buffed athelete to do this tour, but you should be in reasonable physical condition and in overall good health. Oh, no upper arm and body strength is required. The harness and lanyard carry all your weight and you are securely clipped in. You wouldn’t fall if you let go.
Check out our other zipline tours Kapalua Zipline, Kanaapali Zipline, Flyin Hawaiian, and Maui Zipline!
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