“Mountain of Youth” Is Lulu of a Climb

“Mountain of Youth” Is Lulu of a Climb

Have you secretly dreamed of being a tightrope walker?

Wondered what it would be like to “walk the plank”?

Consider playground jungle gyms a little too tame?

Then the new 47-foot tall “Mountain of Youth” ropes course is for you…

Like an M.C. Escher painting come to life, the new attraction at Lucy Buffett’s Lulu’s at Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores has been a “big hit” since its opening this spring, says Johnny Fisher, general manager.

The three-story apparatus features 16 different “elements,” including steps, several tightropes, various ladder, rope and wood-plank bridges, and the aforementioned “plank”—a platform jutting out at the highest point.

Climbers are strapped into a harness that fits into a track system and slides along with them wherever they go. At the crow’s nests on top of support poles, climbers can allow the faster (or crazier?) ones to pass by, without ever unhooking. There is no time limit, but there is a max of 30 people on the Mountain of Youth at a time.

You must be 48 inches or taller to climb on your own. If shorter, you can participate with an adult. The cost is $12 per person, but kids under 48 inches can climb free with a paying adult.

That’s what Adam Short and his son, Connor, 5, of Sumiton, AL, did recently. Connor said he was a little nervous starting out, but he seemed to gain confidence every step of the way, with dad following along.

Brigette Newman said she even had “butterflies” the first time she went up. But Newman, a staff member at the Mountain of Youth this summer, now moves through the course like a squirrel on a power line. She acts as sort of a lifeguard in the air, following climbers around on the apparatus.

Watch Brigette in action.

Holly Burks from Tupelo, MS, won a Facebook contest to name the ropes course. The Mountain of Youth is open from noon to 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. daily.

-- By Craig Myers 

Lulu’s is at 200 E. 25th Ave. Coming south on AL Hwy. 59, take the last left before the Gulf Shores bridge (just past The Track) onto E. 29^th Ave., then turn right on E. 1^st Street.

Coming from Gulf Shores, take the first right after you cross over the bridge. Boaters can access Lulu’s from the Intracoastal Waterway at mile marker 155.

For more information call 251-967-LULU (5858) or visit www.lulubuffett.com.