LAS VEGAS — Never mind that the jump from the 108th floor of the Stratosphere is the equivalent of a 10-story leap.
Pay no attention to the fact that this amusement ride — known as the SkyJump — is the highest vertical zip line ride in the world — the only one like it in North America.
It's perfectly safe and the ultimate fun free fall, say the people in charge.
And it is a $100 rush designed to make grown men cry.
That's what the men said after watching Kristy McMurray walk happily out of the landing area following her jump from a tower 855 feet in the air.
"I couldn't do that," said one man who stands 6-foot-4-inches tall.
"I would have a heart attack," said his friend.
"I have a free ticket but I'm not gonna use it," said Chris Pulliam, the brother of A.J. Pulliam of Las Vegas as the 30-second warning rang out for A.J., who was waiting to take the jump.
"When I got up there, I didn't think I'd be able to do it," A.J. Pulliam said after he landed with a big grin and shakily walked over to his family.
Pulliam, 25, said he freaked first, then gathered the remnants of his courage, crossed himself and stepped off.
"It was amazing," he said. "I'd do it again."
McMurray said she felt absolute panic as she was strapped in and trussed up inside the tower, trying not to really take in the view of Vegas so far below.
Fortunately the employees helping her launch didn't give her an opportunity to think too much about what she was doing or back out. They whisked her onto the platform, told her to hold her hands out and put her toes over the edge.
The next thing she knew she was dropping at a speed of 45 mph.
"I knew if I thought about it at all, I couldn't do it," said the 33-year-old mother of four. "I just let go."
Down at the bottom, she was exultant.
"I did it!" she yelled. "It was fun! I am really proud of myself."
McMurray now has something to lord over her sons if they say they can't or won't do something scary.
"Hey, I jumped off the Stratosphere. Can you top that?"
McMurray said before the jump she worried for days but figured those in charge wouldn't let her die.
"I was just terrified," she said. "I hoped that my heart didn't come up my throat."
The SkyJump opened in Las Vegas in April 2010 and between 6-10 jumpers an hour take the plunge.
To take a SkyJump
Where: Stratosphere Casino on the Strip, Las Vegas
Hours: noon-7 p.m.
Restrictions: Must be 18-over or have guardian permission (for 14-17)
Maximum weight: 265 lbs.
Cost: $99.99 (DVD, photo extra), nonrefundable
Website: SkyJumpLasVegas.com
Phone: 1-800-99-TOWER
Sharon Haddock is a professional freelance writer with 30 years experience, 17 of those at The Deseret News. She has a personal blog called Grandma's Place: http://sharonhaddock.blogspot.com/