California: A fearless yogi was found slacklining and performing yoga in front of Verna Fall at California’s Yosemite National Park.
Kimberley Weglin, 23, tip-toed her way across the scarily high slackline and performed a breathtaking acrobatic stunts and a routine of yoga. Kimberley has been slacklining for two years and went on the adventurous trek with her boyfriend Ryan Jenks and friends.
Kimberly, from Sacramento, California, said: “It was just amazing to be out there. The water was falling at about 860,000 gallons a minute - and all of that water falling next to you makes it extremely hard to balance and walk. Just sitting out there next to the water makes you feel sick!”
“When you are on a highline, you have to essentially re-learn how to find your centre of balance - when you add flowing water into the scenario, it makes it that much more difficult. But despite feeling sea-sick half the time, that is one of the most beautiful lines I have ever been on.”
“To have that much water crashing down beside you and spraying you with mist, while you are trying to stay calm and collected, is completely surreal. When I first went out there I was completely floored by the intensity of it all, and just had the biggest smile on my face.”
“Ryan and I have walked over many waterfalls in our highlining pursuits - they all have a different feel to them, but Vernal's personality was powerful and commanded respect.' She said, 'It was chaotic and energised, yet completely serene and empowering.”
“My favourite part was looking down and seeing a perfectly circular rainbow below me - a rainbow you can't see from any other perspectives. I've never seen anything like it.”
But putting a full stop to the adventure, the adrenaline junkies were forced to pack up their highline early when Obama visited the park with his family.
Kimberly added: “He was surrounded by guards, cops and Secret Service agents. I came back from a hike to find the rest of the group frantic, trying to pack up gear as fast as they can.”
“Apparently the Secret Service guard told a Yosemite search and rescue agent to cut our line down - but after talking to her for a few minutes, she agreed not to cut the line but said we had to de-rig straight away. Apparently slacklines are a threat to national security - I bet Obama would've loved it!”
On their way back down they were greeted by eight Secret Service agents – “We were told to stand off to the side with a large group of straggling hikers, not allowed to leave.” said Kimberly.
“Just as the Secret Service started to search everyone, Obama walked right by us with the First Family and waved to everyone.”
“It was completely surreal and totally unexpected - it's a shame we didn't get a picture.”
She concluded: 'We really wish he could've seen us in action - we would have loved for him to slide out on the line!'
