Conquer Your Height Fear with Hot Air Ballooning in California

Easing your way into your fear of heights is a good way to conquer it. You don’t have to do anything drastic like jump off a plane and go sky diving or bungee jumping. Something more subtle like hot air ballooning can do the trick, and it is a gentler way to overcome your fear.

A typical hot air balloon can hold as many as six people or more, depending on the balloon size and the size of its basket. Don’t worry about the wicker basket breaking mid-flight, because even when it is crafted from a simple basket material, wicker is extremely flexible and hot air balloon baskets are carefully tested by experts to ensure safety. Its base is even designed to resist impact upon landing, so riders won’t feel a jolt. The balloon, which is made from nylon, is fireproof and can’t be easily damaged.

The great thing about hot air ballooning is that you don’t have to do it alone. Expert pilots will be there with you; they are extensively trained and have earned proper certifications before allowed to take passengers up on a ride. Their crew also checks all aspects of the equipment and weather conditions are analyzed, considering all details and possible changes to make sure the ride will be completely safe. A ground crew also follows the balloon and meets you on the ground as you land. Ballooning is not always a precise activity, in that you may land on unexpected locations, but all this is part of the fun, and your pilot and crew always know how to handle things.

Riding a balloon with some people that you trust can truly help you overcome your fear of heights without having to push yourself to the limits. In California alone, there are many great ballooning sites to try out, like Lake Tahoe and the scenic Mammoth Lakes, with its mountainous terrain. More beautiful ballooning spots can be discovered throughout the country and the rest of the world through online guides that offer great tips on the most exciting extreme sports and spots in the planet.