Heights of exhilaration on a zipline experience

Taking in breathtaking views while dangling helplessly at the top of the longest zip wire in the northern hemisphere, the countdown began. There was no turning back now.

Donning an all-in-one red body suit, harness, goggles and a helmet, I was strapped in and secured to a cable stretching for more than a mile.

Zip World only opened a few weeks ago in North Wales but already around 700 people, from the ages of six to 86, have visited Penrhyn Quarry to try out this latest ride.

I was told I would probably reach speeds of around 85mph, although The Big Zipper has been known to clock speeds of over 100mph, and was asked if I wanted a countdown.

"Yes please", I said, considering it would give me chance to prepare myself.

The countdown from five was over quickly and the safety catch was pulled away. It didn't take long to reach full speed and by the time I was level with the edge of the cliff below, the wind was already distorting my face.

After passing the cliff edge, I was hurtling along the cable taking in views of the huge lake 700ft below. It was exhilarating and such an adrenaline rush. After about a minute, I had made it all the way across and a shock absorber slowed me down. An elevating platform came up to meet me and I was safely unclipped.

I wanted to do it all again.

The whole experience lasts two to three hours and groups prepare on a smaller zip wire before taking on the big one.

On the journey to the summit, speakers explain the history of the site in Bethesda, at the edge of Snowdonia National Park.

For more than 200 years, men have extracted slate and more than 2,000 men were employed as quarrymen in its heyday.

It was the world's largest slate quarry at the end of the 19th century and was also the site of the longest dispute in British industrial history. Today, machinery has replaced all but 200 men but the quarry still exports slate to the far side of the world.

The zip lines are located in a part of the quarry which has been decommissioned for 10 years. Wooden huts at both the start point of the big and little zipper can be used to shelter from the cold, wind or rain.

At the summit, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Anglesey and Cumbria can be seen on clear days. The idea of Zip-World was three years in the making before it came to fruition.

Prices for the full experience, including the big and little zipper, start from £50 for adults and £40 for children. Visit www.zipworld.co.uk or call (01248) 601444.