Dressed in red & blue I stood in the window of the 17th floor of the Hotel Presidente. It was windy and I firmly held the bars to keep my balance. Below my feet I could see the 50 m drop. “Why on earth am I doing this?” I wondered.

Despite being in a Spiderman suit, I did not feel like Spiderman at all. Just that morning we had ended our Free Walking Tour in the same building. Here we met the guys of Urban Rush Bolivia, one of the only abseiling companies in the world where you can go abseiling ‘Face First-style’ (also called Rap Jumping). This means you walk down the steep building while looking down. More fun than looking at the building (as is the case with standard abseiling), but also obviously more scary!

Carefully I tipped over the edge. I was now hanging horizontally in the rope with my feet flat against the building. Below me lay the city of La Paz. For a moment I forgot my fears and just observed the tiny houses and even smaller people going on with their daily lives. But then I heard a voice behind me: “Walk!”

A 50m drop! ©Bunch of Backpackers
A 50m drop! ©Bunch of Backpackers

So I walked! Although, it went well with our practice session, the real thing turned out to be much harder. First, there was a strong wind bringing me out of balance a few times. Secondly, you had to keep a certain running/ jumping pace and at the same time coordinate your rope. If you failed doing that. you ended up dangling uncomfortably in the air.

It was no surprise I dangled a few times…

And this was no charming sight. Still, it was fun! However, the best thing had yet to come. The final six floors were a free fall. So, we had to do one big jump and let go of the rope at the same time! Here we had to fully trust the Urban Rush guides. They controlled the brakes and if one of them had to sneeze and the other just got a text message from his girlfriend it would be the end. Fortunately, this was not the case and just before hitting the ground they braked! What an adrenaline-rush!

If you want to have a laugh, take a look at this movie shot by my friend Charlotte. At first I wasn’t sure if I’d put it up out of fear of losing credibility and respect: I look like a drunk confused spiderman. But hey, whatever ;)

SCORES (OUT OF FIVE STARS)

‘NEVER AGAIN, SCARY AS HELL’ LEVEL **
‘NEED TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE’ LEVEL *
‘FUN’ LEVEL ***
‘SUPERBE LANDSCAPES’ LEVEL ***

 

Final instructions. ©Bunch of Backpackers
Final instructions. ©Bunch of Backpackers
Final instructions. ©Bunch of Backpackers
Final instructions. ©Bunch of Backpackers
Ready to go! Adam & Me! ©Bunch of Backpackers
Ready to go! Adam & Me! ©Bunch of Backpackers
Face First abseiling. ©Bunch of Backpackers
Face First abseiling. ©Bunch of Backpackers
Face First abseiling Urban Rush La Paz ©Bunch of Backpackers
Face First abseiling Urban Rush La Paz ©Bunch of Backpackers
Face First abseiling Urban Rush La Paz ©Bunch of Backpackers
Face First abseiling Urban Rush La Paz ©Bunch of Backpackers
Face First abseiling Urban Rush La Paz ©Bunch of Backpackers
Face First abseiling Urban Rush La Paz ©Bunch of Backpackers
Free Fall Urban Rush La Paz. Photo by Urban Rush.
Free Fall Urban Rush La Paz. Photo by Urban Rush.
Free Fall Urban Rush La Paz. Photo by Urban Rush.
Free Fall Urban Rush La Paz. Photo by Urban Rush.

About Urban Rush Bolivia

Website: Urban Rush Bolivia
Costs: 1st drop 150 Bs
Where: Hotel Presidente (across the street of San Francisco Church)

Recommended further reading
Overview of costs of travel in Peru and Bolivia

2 COMMENTS

  1. Looks really fun Manouk. I was just in La Paz, but didn’t get a chance to do this. (I did the World’s Most Dangerous road instead). That wind seems really strong, so good job getting down!

  2. Hey Andrew, that’s awesome! We didn’t have time to do the Most Dangerous Road unfortunately, but I’d still love do that some day :) I’m quite ashamed for the movie. When the instructor did it, it looked much (much!) better haha!

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