Wildcat Mountain Zip Blog

Zip Silhouettes

2007-09-29T10:42:00.000-04:00

A couple of ZipRiders soar above the mountain tops. Beautiful Autumn day in Pinkham Notch...cool, crisp, and foliage soon to be peaking.

Quality ZipRider Video...Plug

2007-09-28T14:20:00.000-04:00

Egan Entertainment Network Inc. sent us over some media files and below is a quality video piece that gives you a really good idea of what riding the ZipRider is all about. Now, just picture it surrounded by beautiful New England foliage...aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh. But you better come soon while the foliage is just beginning to peak. Visit the Wildcat website for more info on rates and times.

Leaf Peeping becomes Leaf Zipping

2007-09-22T11:58:00.000-04:00

It'll be a first time experience for most of you to come up and instead of peeping the leaves like you always have, ride the ZipRider zip-line cable ride and experience classic New England fall foliage in an entirely new way. I don't know what's better though:

1) ride our scenic gondola first and then take a ride on the ZipRider

2) ride the ZipRider first, then take in the most beautiful views and scenery in our gondola, and then say to yourself at the summit, "Oh man, I've got to take another ride on that ZipRider!" If that should be the case, your second ride per person is just a little more than half-price. The Wildcat website has details on pricing and ride restrictions.

Just to give you an idea, below is just a quick clip (forgive the low quality) of some ZipRiders flying past the base lodge deck.

First snow of the season!!

2007-08-20T13:24:00.001-04:00

On Saturday August 18, 2007 we had snow flurries at 2ooo ft elevation!
We also had very gusty high winds forcing us to close all operations for the day at 10:30 am.
This morning we also had frost in some locations.
This is a sign of continued changing weather in New England.
We plan to have the Ziprider open seven days a week after laborday call to check on times of operation. 888 ski wild

In the background Mount Washingtons Huntington Ravine

2007-08-16T17:15:00.000-04:00

The next two weeks we hope to be able to run until six oclock pm.

Many folks are enjoying the waterfall walks and gondola too.

The zip rider will continue to operate seven days per week after Labor day.

Like daughter like mother!

2007-08-08T07:37:00.000-04:00

We are in full swing at the ziprider filling every seat form 10 Am till 5 Pm
Here we have Daughter showing mother how its done! This family is from Marshfield MA. Getting ready to go then after launching from the top.
The minimum weight is 75 pounds so plan ahead for small kids not being able to ride the ziprider to avoid disapointment.

Girls camping in Maine came up ti zip!

2007-07-28T09:53:00.000-04:00

Bring your group outing to the cat for a zip ride! These girls had a blast.

2007-07-28T09:27:00.000-04:00

Opening day was just great!!

2007-07-25T09:49:00.000-04:00

Although the line was a bit long all enjoyed their flight down

the ziprider.

Thanks to everyone that came out for the fun. Make your own ice cream sundae in the base lodge to enjoy while you wait or watch.

Open for zipping ! Tuesday July 24, 2007

2007-07-23T19:57:00.000-04:00

We are officially open! After 12 weeks, 7 days a week, of construction and countless weather delays, we're pleased to announce we received all certifications and operating permits to begin zipping on Tuesday, July 24, 2007. This wouldn't have been possible without the commitment of Pat Franchi and the dedicated construction team of John Ginter, Tom Gallagher, Doug Toffelmayer, Rick Flynn, Phil Spinney, Aaron Montgomery, Bob Keon, Don Gerin, Levi & Jim from Zip Rider, young Tom Caughey, Todd Donohue, Bob Langlands, and the crews from Thorne Survey, LM Civil, Royal Electric in Woodsville, A.J. Coleman, Baybutt Foundation, A. Eastman & Son, and the nameless many that have moved us along to completion. I want to thank the US Forest Service, the WMNF winter sports team and the NH Dept of Safety for their enthusiastic response to the project. It's been a lot of fun to build, and now there's a lot of fun for everyone on this new sensational ride. Thanks everyone! Tom Caughey, GM.

Test Rides Completed Monday July 23, 2007

2007-07-23T19:28:00.000-04:00

Ready to rumble Joe Gill, USFS Permit Adminstrator, takes a test ride with David Burnham, Food Service Director at Wildcat.
The first high speed ride by a woman in a skirt, Irene Donnell soars over the Peabody River.
Bob Keon and Phil Ostroski put a finishing touch on the safety railing at the ride start.

We are open

please excuse our appearance

come by after 10 am tuesday the 24th of july 2007

Notice: delayed opening due to rain

2007-07-20T15:56:00.000-04:00

We are busting our butts to get the final details complete. However with 3 days of heavy rain, we are behind in finishing required tasks. Photo at left shows Larry Gaudette (l) and Alan Kimball, both from A. Eastman & Son Excavating, checking the final grade on the landing strip. Right photo shows our hard working carpenters building the summit loading ramp.

The state safey inspector and the USFS engineer will work over the weekend to certify our ride as soon as we can finish the saftey and training checks.
We have both cables up to full tension and will be test riding with staff only on Saturday.
Call us Saturday afternoon (603-466-3326) for updated schedule information.

Cable inspection in the rain

2007-07-19T19:49:00.000-04:00

Levi Painter of Wyoming has the first ride down, inspecting the cable. This aerial inspection insures that the ride is safe for all. How was the trip , Levi? "Well, it was cold, wet and awesome!"

The carpenters are catching up to the steel workers

2007-07-18T19:40:00.000-04:00

Have you seen these carpenters doing other things around the ski area?! Phil Spinney (ace rental shop tech), Aaron Montgomery (multi-talented snow groomer mechanic), Bob Keon (retired ski patroller),and Phil Ostroski (ski school director) erect the tressels of the access ramp to the ride launch platform.

When the ramp is finished they get to test pilot on Friday.

The folks at Chicks and White Mt Lumber have been great at supplying material on time.

The two power tools of the day ran from 7am to 7 pm

2007-07-18T19:16:00.000-04:00

Dewalt and Honda no. Tommy Gallagher in the tower John Ginter on the outside. Using Skidmore-Wilhelm and ASTM specifications the tower fasteners are tightened for the final time. Tarps helped us to continue today in steady rain. The schedule is weather dependent so please stay tuned. Test pilots will be at work on Friday. We still have some crew positions open if you would like to join up call us.

Final approval of the construction begins tomorrow with the authorities.

Looking up from the bottom of the Zipride

2007-07-17T18:55:00.000-04:00

Looking up the ride after the first cable was tensioned, the 130 foot spring brake system is visible over the cable. After a 2100 foot glide down the mountain, accelerating up to 45 mph, the slope of the cable will slow the rider to 15 mph, and then the braking system will stop the riders in 100 feet. Who wants to go first?!!! We are scrambling to get the ride open ASAP.

Wire ropes are in place and this is the view from the top at 7:30 pm on July 16th 2007

2007-07-16T20:25:00.000-04:00

The weekend has been very successful with wire rope and rigging.

The key to the ride is the cable profile that the trollies ride on.

The weekend was very hard work and long days walking 2100 feet of cable from the top to bottom thru trees. Once we cleared the buildings and tree tops the ride really looks amazing.

Lots of finishing details to be completed to get our inspections complete at the weeks end.

We hope for Saturday and will work all daylight hours to get it done until we open.

The brake system is put on the first cable early sunday morning

2007-07-15T16:58:00.000-04:00

Tom, Doug and Todd are running springs and spacers over the cable prior to it being pulled up into place. The first cable is in place, it is higher than the peak of the lodge roof!!

The second cable will be easier now that the first can hold it above the treetops.

Tower top adjustments just before the storm.

2007-07-13T15:04:00.000-04:00

The crew has had to work very quickly to keep up with the weather changes as safety always comes first. All tower adjustments are made prior to the cable being pulled into place.

2007-07-13T14:38:00.000-04:00

When the sun shines we are making progress. We are hanging the cables this weekend.
Much of the ride is near completion, however much is to be done in the next seven days.
When thunder moves we must scramble off the hill until it passes losing valuable construction time. This week we've had seven thunderstorms!

ZipRider Crews Set Steel in Record Time!

2007-07-06T18:09:00.000-04:00

The crew rallied after a thunderstorm to set all four ZipRider towers today! Pictured are Levi and Jim from Utah; John Ginter, Rick Flynn, and Tom Gallagher of Wildcat; and Dan and Mark Taillon of Gorham, NH.

The Towers are UP!

2007-07-06T16:00:00.000-04:00

Taillon Crane of Gorham and the Wildcat Crew put up the ZipRider towers! Meanwhile, Royal Electric electricians put in the power supply while Towers are now up on both ends of the zip-line. Cables will be strung next week!

Opening day is on schedule for Saturday, July 21st!

Now IMAGINE this!

2007-06-29T17:49:00.000-04:00

You've hit the road to the 'Cat in Pinkham Notch . . .

You've got your tickets . . . .

You've jumped on the Snowcat Triple Chair & tootled your way over to the Cheetah along the nice, new path! You've been snugly tucked into the ZipRider harness . . . and whooooooooosh, zzzzzziiiiiiippppppp . . . opening is now scheduled for Sat., July 21st!

Tom Caughey has been working hard on this project, so he IS READY TO RUMBLE . . .

Meanwhile, Mr. Moose, nearby,is wondering how he's going to get around the 250 lb. weight limit . . .

Whhheeeeeehoooooooooooo - Check this Out!

2007-06-27T13:11:00.000-04:00

Check out this link for a video of the ZipRider at Olympic Park in Utah! Oh Ya!
http://ziprider.com/media/video/utah-olympic-park/index.php

Concrete Poured Followed by Visit of Furry Four Legged Inspector

2007-06-22T15:06:00.000-04:00

Concrete was poured for the upper tower foundations yesterday , June 21st - the first day of Summer! No sooner was it poured when a local moved in to check out what all the rumbling was about!

ZipTower Power

2007-06-19T15:35:00.000-04:00

The ZipRider towers are on site -- it's ALL happening, folks! If all goes according to plan, then we should see an opening in about a month's time.

The base terminal site is located at the far side of the parking lot on the north end, and is prepared to be landscaped -- ready for the next step of erecting the towers. Meanwhile, once things dried up a bit, a road was built for transporting materials up to the two-story building on the Cheetah Slope, where the upper terminal will be located. At the top terminal, we have started what will be 50 yards of concrete --- the foundation for the upper towers. This morning, the tree canopies of certain areas along the path of the zip-line were trimmed for a nice, clear passage!

The Towers are coming, the TOWERS are coming!

2007-06-18T17:30:00.000-04:00

The ZipRider towers are en route & should be delivered tomorrow on Tuesday June 19th!

The ZipBlog Will Keep YOU in the Loop!

2007-06-15T15:14:00.000-04:00

We know you can't wait for the new ZipRider! Neither can we! The interest level is high, so we want you to know how things are coming along --- so you can plan to come and check it out! We're just a bit behind schedule, after a good looong ski season ---- so opening is looking like it'll happen closer to the middle of July! This is the place to check out progress on construction, as we go along!