A local with a fear of heights talks about swaying in the sky at Grandfather Mountain
I am afraid of heights. It is not, for the most part, a debilitating fear. I can – usually – overcome it.
If I’m inside and feeling secure, I don’t have a problem. Neither the former Sears Tower in Chicago or the St. Louis Gateway Arch presented any issues. And I can even be OK in an outside venue as long as it’s not too windy. I proposed to Leslie without a qualm on the Eiffel Tower but could only stand a few minutes atop the Empire State building on a blustery day.
In my life I’ve faced any number of things that dangle, sway or rock. Ski lifts and suspension bridges and the like. Some bother me, some don’t.
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If I’m afraid of heights, why do I keep putting myself in these positions? The answer I generally give is that I don’t want my fear stop me from experiencing things. But it’s more than that. For some people the fear of heights is debilitating. For me, it’s an extreme discomfort but I can overcome it. I don’t like ledges. I don’t like my kids being near ledges – even if there’s a clear barrier – but I can for the most part deal.
The only time I’ve ever been completely overcome was inside the bizarrely designed Atlanta Marriott Marquis. A 47-story hotel with a bizarre interior design that was been used in movies and television and served as the basis for the Time Variance Authority in “Loki.”
I made it to the top, stepped out and then went immediately back to the elevator. Scariest place I’ve ever been. Compared to the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the mile-high suspension bridge at Grandfather Mountain is a piece of cake.
About the mile-high bridge at Grandfather Mountain
Part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Grandfather Mountain – and the state park of the same name – is one of the premier mountain destinations in North Carolina. The mountain itself measures in at 5,946 feet, leaving it outside the top 20 highest mountains in North Carolina. Still, the way the mountain is situated in the range offers stunning, majestic views.
The original mile-high swinging bridge was built in 1952 when the mountain was a commercial tourist attraction. The bridge offers stupendous 360-degree panoramic views at an elevation of 5,305 feet, making it the highest suspension footbridge in the country. The bridge itself is a 228-foot swinging suspension bridge over an 80-foot chasm. There’s a gift shop – the Top Shop – and the mountain and bridge are accessible to those with mobility issues.
The bridge is included in the Grandfather Mountain admission ticket, and you can book reservations online.
Can someone with a fear of heights walk the mile-high suspension bridge?
It depends. I can do it. But my friend Boyd – whose fear of heights is a bit more severe than mine – could not.
If you’re worried about the swinging, the new bridge – built in 1999 – doesn’t move much. It’s made of steel, reinforced with cables and it has high railings. Of course, you can get a lot of the same viewing experience without setting foot on the bridge, but if you go all the way up there, you might as well try.
I do find it more intimidating than the SkyPark Bridge – even with that one’s glass bottom. The most comparable experience is the bridge at Rock City. I can do the swinging bridge there but prefer the rock bridge option and I stay a good distance from the ledge.
The wind is my chief objection. The mountain gorge at Grandfather Mountain is one of the windiest locations in North Carolina. In fact, when the wind is blowing, the steel slats on the bridge act something like a harmonica, turning the swinging bridge into a singing bridge. I am much more comfortable up there when the wind – and the bridge – are quiet.
My final opinion? Can someone with a fear of heights handle the bridge? As long as your fear isn’t debilitating yes, though you may not find the experience enjoyable. You might be better off taking in the views from the rock-solid parking lot.
Have you walked the bridge at Grandfather Mountain? Would you try it? Let us know in the comments!