Smoky Mountains - Extreme/Adrenaline/Once in a Lifetime Experience

Hi All

Having sorted out the rest of a trip to the US I realised i should cut down the number of places to go, but have always wanted to pay the Smoky Mountains a visit when I finish up in Nashville.

I am really looking all over for something different, that i cant do here in the Middle East (of course seeing something green and natural will be a strange change to my usual environment). I was thinking extreme and thought maybe caving (spelunking), or something completely off the chart! Ive been White Water Rafting before, and ziplines are fun but controlled. I am hoping to push myself out of my comfort zone to make it a memorable occasion.

Amazingly the interwebinet is failing me when I try and find 'that one special experience'. Is anyone here from around the area and could suggest something i could do (ideally in a day or less but flexible).

Thanks a lot

Peter

Did a 2min search but came up dry...my thought is "Grass Skiing"...a whole different take on skiing when you know that falling does not equal sliding...or if it does, it wont be such a nice slide as on snow.

Gotta be some great hang gliding in the smokeys as well. Never been, but I bet you'll have a great view!

Just thinkin' out loud...

I don't know what they have for adrenelin junkies other that whitewater rafting, but Gatlinburg, TN is a really cool place.

There's a Zorb place in Pigeon Forge which is near Gatlinburg http://www.zorb.com/zorb/

One of the country's best motorcycle rides is on the southwest part of the Smokies. It is called the Tail of the Dragon. Would also be a nice car ride, especially if you can ride with the top down.

db said:

Would also be a nice car ride, especially if you can ride with the top down.

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But best enjoyed as a passenger, with a driver that isn't absorbing the scenery and can concentrate on the driving.

Chattanooga, TN has a very active extreme outdoor sports community and is known locally for its hang-gliding cliffs. It's a short drive from there over to the Smokies.

KathySmith said:

Clingmans Dome - Great Smoky Mountains National Park .... Lots of folks get married in the park. ...

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Now THATS an extreme sport ! :mg:

If you are not use to high elevations, be warned that you will tire allot easier once you start rising in elevation (less oxygen) and it can take 2-3 days to adjust to it. I live in the high mountains and see people come 'up' here from ocean level and only be able to perform about 3/4 of what they did at lower elevations.

I give you this warning so you can plan for it.

I grew up in Chattanooga... and one of the benefits of being in the Boy Scouts is the opportunity for some high adventure activities. There are a number of caves in Tennessee that are a lot of fun. Here is the web site for a couple of different ones... http://www.funfix.com/Caving/Tennessee/
http://www.raftcavehike.com/caving
My favorite was always Cumberland Cavern...
http://www.tennesseetreasures.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=27
It's approximately half-way between Nashville and Chattanooga right near Fall Creek Falls... a beautiful State Park.

Anyway... I hope this helps... I hope you enjoy your trip to my home state. It's a beautiful place...

Cheers!!

Michael