Scared of Heights? WATCH: Patch Editor Off the Ledge on County Fair Zip Line

ac·ro·pho·bi·a: extreme or irrational fear of heights. 

It started out as a good-natured challenge caught on tape last week. 

While giving Patch Editor Autumn Johnson the annual preview tour of the fair attractions, Alameda County Fair Marketing Manager Angel Moore jokingly suggested that the duo try one of this season's newest fair attractions, the "ZipIt Mobile Zip Line."

"We're really excited about it, Autumn and I are going to zip line this year," Moore said on camera. "Stay tuned for that one, that will be exciting."

Not one to shy away from a challenge (especially one made on camera), Johnson, who suffers from an extreme fear of heights, apprehensively accepted. On Tuesday, Johnson and Moore made good on their ironclad fair pact and took their fears to the top of the Zipit Mobile Zip Line tower. 

Zip line expert Rick Parsons of Vancouver, Washington helped talk the two into their safety harnesses and off the top of the 28-foot-tall tower in an inaugural leap of faith zipping to the safety of the terra firma at the end of the line.

Parsons, who exudes a calm and patient demeanor, told Patch that he talks people with severe acrophobia into making the jump more times than he can count on a daily basis. 

"You will love it," he told Johnson and Moore. The zip line guru must know what he is talking about because the pair willingly made the jump not only once for the bucket list but twice for good measure.

"Despite the fact that I get anxiety even when descending steep stairs, I would definitely do this again," Johnson said. "It was awesome."

Moore said the experience was "empowering and a lot of fun."

Interested in trying the zip line for yourself? ZipIt will be at the fair until July 6.

Have you tried the new zip line attraction at the fair? Tell us in the comments section.

2014 Alameda County Fair articles on Patch:

• Cardinali's 'Spaghetti Ice Cream' Named Grand Champion of County Fair Food Competition
• This Week at the Alameda County Fair
• Alameda County Fair Kicks Off Exciting First Weekend of Horse Racing with Oak Tree Partners
• Alameda County Fair Takes Fair Food to Next Level with First Annual 'SNACKDOWN' Competition
• Alameda County Fair Promotes Education with Free Tickets for Elementary School Students