American blogger Drew Dirksen recently spent a night suspended on a cliff face in Estes Park, Colorado, US. This unique "cliff camping" experience, offered by the Kent Mountain Adventure Center (KMAC), allows adventurers to sleep on a portaledge—a specialized, suspended bed—hundreds of feet above the ground.

The "cliff camping" service operates annually from June to September. Participants pay between 800 and 1,200 USD for a 24-hour adventure. The journey involves hiking to the summit of a cliff, then rappelling down to the portaledge, which is suspended 90-150 meters above the base of the cliff.

A portaledge is designed with an aluminum frame and durable fabric, secured directly to the granite cliff face using a system of bolts and safety cables. Despite being a summer activity, the absolute altitude of approximately 2,300 meters above sea level in Estes Park means nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing. Therefore, guests are required to prepare specialized thermal clothing and personal gear suitable for the harsh conditions.

This extreme adventure does not require clients to be professional climbers. Before ascending the cliff, participants receive brief training on essential movement techniques and basic safety rules. All logistical aspects, including providing dinner, breakfast, and managing waste, adhere to strict procedures to ensure safety and hygiene throughout the experience.

Upon settling onto the suspended bed, Dirksen described the view as breathtaking, despite admitting to a persistent sense of fear while lying on the precarious edge.

By Hoai Anh (Based on Drew Dirksen, KMAC)