tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-130572712011-08-07T13:00:21.121+02:00My paper log has run out of space, and is terribly out of order, so I decided to keep an electronic flight log instead. It makes it easier to add entries out of order, and to paste pics whenever there are some.ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.comBlogger771100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-56936745225191719482011-08-01T17:32:00.000+02:002011-08-07T12:46:52.599+02:00

The weather is beautiful, not a cloud in the sky. One of my neighbours, Mathieu, meets me at home. He finished his training last year, and wants to start flying regularly at the club and asked to accompany me. We're going to meet Nicolas and Stéphane, who also completed their training with Laurent and Gwenaël. It doesn't take very long to fill up the car and drive to Très-le-Mont. There are

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-77341767330591596742011-08-01T16:56:00.000+02:002011-08-07T09:55:31.305+02:00

This morning I went for a short mountaineering outing with my niece Elisabeth. The weather was excellent. As is usual when I don't take my wing, the conditions would have been perfect for a take off. What makes it very frustrating is that we were at Le Billiat, a summit that I've climbed quite a number of times, hoping to fly, but had to postpone because the weather conditions weren't good enough

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-5700847346921810072011-03-07T15:54:00.005+01:002011-03-07T17:39:49.853+01:00

While flying over the area on a commercial flight on Saturday, I take great pleasure in looking at the Swiss Alps, particularly because the passenger next to me points out the most well-known summits. As we approach home, I can point out "my" summits to him. He knows the ones situated in the East, but not the West.That exchange strengthen my resolve to go mountaineering on Sunday. Only to be

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-86404739202959077982010-09-07T13:43:00.003+02:002010-09-07T15:41:25.467+02:00

I haven't managed to log many flights this year, so it's with trepidation that I watched the weather on Sunday, being my first day with a clear enough schedule to go flying.When I get to Orcier, there are many cars parked at the landing field. Some pilots have already landed, and I get their flight impression straight away. The wind is pretty calm, but there isn't much lift around. There is a

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-20474393642443119632010-08-09T10:30:00.005+02:002010-08-09T13:50:34.282+02:00

It's the week-end, the weather is favorable, I go to the landing site in Orcier. A few pilots are in the air, they must have taken off quite early in the afternoon, as it's not much later than 14:30. One of them is lining up to land, and we wonder about his identity. Francis comments that a lot of pilots have bought new wings and it's now difficult to recognise everybody.The suspense is of short

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-44475127538439058642010-07-31T23:31:00.002+02:002010-07-31T23:39:34.862+02:00

I've been quite anxious to have a flight since I got back from North Carolina, two days ago. The weather is very good, maybe not the best for paragliding, as it seems very stable, but at least the wind is very calm, the sun is shining and there's absolutely no cloud on the horizon.I wait until mid-afternoon, to avoid the time of the strongest thermals. This will be my second flight this year, so

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-76598279806973157972010-07-21T23:45:00.006+02:002010-08-09T15:05:56.079+02:00

I've been meaning to do this for quite a while now, and this year the opportunity finally arose!For several mornings, I heard the unmistakable sound of a hot-air balloon burner firing in the distance at Tina's place, and one morning where we were on the road earlier than usual, we caught sight of the balloon flying low over the city.It didn't take Tina very long to find the contact details of

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-52941093878140909312010-04-26T08:15:00.006+02:002010-08-01T01:28:15.919+02:00

I had a few flights without creating entries in this blog, but very few: no need to put down that mug of coffee to free more fingers to count. Last year was rather catastrophic, mostly for my inability to juggle my schedules in order to maximise flying time. In addition, Michael's accident put quite a damper on my flying enthusiasm.So it's with trepidation that I check the weather, listen to the

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-55464440772920080432008-08-02T08:18:00.002+02:002008-08-02T08:26:09.056+02:00

I have some gardening to do, but the pilots on the ground and the fantastic flying conditions convince me the garden can wait...We pile up in a car and drive to Très-Le-Mont, where we find more pilots at take off. This time, I do a clean take off straight away and manage to play for a short while and gain a bit of altitude before I move to the front ridge.The thermals aren't powerful or big, and

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-68619391899478236502008-08-01T08:05:00.002+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.984+02:00

At last the weather is favorable for a flying afternoon, and I have free time (well, the garden will just have to wait patiently). I meet Eric at the landing in Orcier and, together with another three accomplices, we drive to the take off in Très-Le-Mont. The weather beacon has been chiming Westerly since lunchtime, and there's a fairly steady air flow. I let Eric take off, at the last minute he

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-44717027183076345392008-07-10T21:21:00.001+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.984+02:00

This is an outing we have quite regularly, at least once in the year. The view is spectacular, from the sudden discovery of the lake during the ascent, where we arrive on an outcrop and overlook the lake from Le Bouveret to Lausanne, to the beautiful scenery at the top that shows us Le Mont-Blanc, Le Cervin, Le Grand Combin, amongst the lower peaks in the Alps and Prealps.The climb is fairly

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-51189494372353754062008-07-09T18:06:00.000+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.985+02:00

Well, flights have been few and far in-between this year, especially since my mother's accident in the middle of February. Then the weather has been awful for most of May and June, so it was with a bit of trepidation that I launched for what looked like a good summer flight.A few of us met at the landing site in Orcier to pile-up in a car and drove to Très-Le-Mont. The Westerly wind reported by

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-65877065458720699092008-05-23T19:21:00.002+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.985+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:17, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 183m, Max rate of climb: +2.2m/s, Max descent rate: -3.4m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-10637423229094820382008-05-02T19:18:00.001+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.985+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:40, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 1058m, Max rate of climb: +3.2m/s, Max descent rate: -3.4m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-40912934115959581132008-04-05T19:16:00.001+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.985+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:52, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 1053m, Max rate of climb: +3.4m/s, Max descent rate: -4.4m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-61178865159808183202008-02-14T19:14:00.001+01:002008-08-02T07:15:31.986+02:00

Flight at La Chapelle des Hermones. It's a beautiful day, the snow shines in the sun, the air is crisp...My mother breaks her leg on the way down. I told her walking was not a safe way to go back to the car...Technical data: Flight duration 0:15, Take-off altitude: 1550m, Maximum altitude reached: 1550m, Total climb during flight: 153m, Max rate of climb: +1.8m/s, Max descent rate: -3m/s, Landing

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-21390861680990257882008-02-13T19:13:00.002+01:002008-08-02T07:15:31.986+02:00

Shortly after take off from Très-le-Mont...Look at all that smog! The biggest contribution to that polution is from motor vehicles...Technical data: Flight duration 0:13, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 567m, Max rate of climb: +1.4m/s, Max descent rate: -4m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-8785453327086441982008-02-10T19:12:00.001+01:002008-08-02T07:15:31.986+02:00

In the morning, we go for a walk in the mountains. On the way home, the weather is so beautiful that I get Gisèle to drop me at Le Col du Feu and I walk up to Très-Le-Mont for a quick flight.It's good to be in the air again...Technical data: Flight duration 0:15, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 80m, Max rate of climb: +1.2m/s, Max descent rate

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-77840984456739479122008-02-09T19:10:00.001+01:002008-08-02T07:15:31.986+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:13, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 118m, Max rate of climb: +2m/s, Max descent rate: -5.4m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-58503793310455201862008-02-08T19:09:00.001+01:002008-08-02T07:29:03.042+02:00

The weather is wonderful. I leave home for a long walk that ends with a beautiful laminar flight in the still air. Pitty I have to go back down in the poluted soup that fills the valley.Technical data: Flight duration 0:10, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 48m, Max rate of climb: +1m/s, Max descent rate: -3.8m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-2585841005515841572008-01-29T19:07:00.001+01:002008-08-02T07:45:39.844+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:12, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 45m, Max rate of climb: +0.8m/s, Max descent rate: -4.2m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-42319771852385750292008-01-03T19:05:00.002+01:002008-08-02T07:15:31.987+02:00

First flight of the year. From La Chapelle des Hermones.Technical data: Flight duration 0:39, Take-off altitude: 1550m, Maximum altitude reached: 1550m, Total climb during flight: 567m, Max rate of climb: +0.2m/s, Max descent rate: -3.8m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-89489349551355286122007-11-08T19:04:00.001+01:002008-08-02T07:15:31.987+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:10, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 47m, Max rate of climb: +1.2m/s, Max descent rate: -2.8m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-24523518396940799792007-10-27T19:03:00.002+02:002008-08-02T07:55:44.104+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:16, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 73m, Max rate of climb: +1.6m/s, Max descent rate: -2.8m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-4632631322512055382007-10-14T19:01:00.001+02:002008-08-02T08:08:34.916+02:00

The flight was a bit tooo bumpy to take pictures...Technical data: Flight duration 0:12, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 47m, Max rate of climb: +0.8m/s, Max descent rate: -3.2m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-69354171244433345682007-10-08T18:55:00.001+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.988+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:20, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 111m, Max rate of climb: +1.2m/s, Max descent rate: -3.4m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-15202165040473565522007-09-13T21:37:00.001+02:002008-08-02T07:14:28.544+02:00

This is the first day I'm on my own in the island. I get up early, as the day light starts lightening the darkness of the night on the edge of the horizon, and walk from Poggio di Venaco to Riventosa and then to Santu Pietru di Venaco, where the path starts to the Bergeries de Taratalla. I want to get to the limit of the trees to see the rising sun. The show is magnificent, with the sun rising

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-26520512537550964342007-09-02T18:54:00.000+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.988+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:32, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 580m, Max rate of climb: +3m/s, Max descent rate: -2.8m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-3715710952743911012007-09-02T18:52:00.000+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.988+02:00

This is a flight during our Club's annual fest (the first Sunday of september).Technical data: Flight duration 0:16, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 276m, Max rate of climb: +2.6m/s, Max descent rate: -4m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-26718791321521364592007-08-27T18:49:00.000+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.989+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:13, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 108m, Max rate of climb: +1.2m/s, Max descent rate: -3.4m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-71622589978715479222007-08-24T18:40:00.000+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.989+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:52, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1530m, Total climb during flight: 891m, Max rate of climb: +2.8m/s, Max descent rate: -3.8m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-85281391681016876172007-08-23T18:39:00.000+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.989+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:20, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 370m, Max rate of climb: +4.2m/s, Max descent rate: -4m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-42558046566017887802007-08-18T18:37:00.000+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.989+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:12, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 0m, Max rate of climb: +1m/s, Max descent rate: -3.4m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-55603065609646423032007-08-18T18:33:00.002+02:002008-08-02T07:15:31.989+02:00

I have a few entries logged in my variometer that I didn't take the time to comment on this blog. I might attach some picture to the entries at a later stage, when I have a bit of free time.Technical data: Flight duration 0:39, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 567m, Max rate of climb: +2.8m/s, Max descent rate: -3.4m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-26701103743983076582007-08-17T22:38:00.000+02:002007-08-20T18:07:41.067+02:00

The whole morning, I have my eyes upwards, checking the cumulus forming in the sky. I am convinced this is going to be a good flying day. The rain of the previous day has loaded the air with moisture, the fairly strong sun is creating a lot of instability and there isn't a very strong wind yet.I get to the field fairly early, one car is leaving, but they're full. Too bad. I wait for a short while

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-69431215513231046712007-07-27T13:14:00.000+02:002007-07-27T13:14:25.042+02:00

For quite a while, I have been more and more dissatisfied with my trusty "Taifun" wing. At first, I just accepted that my inability to rise as fast or as high as most other pilots was due to my lack of skills. I thought I might take a bit longer than most to learn the tricks of staying in the thermal to rise and prolong the flight. My opinion started changing after I purchased a new

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-52155644133958072952007-04-08T20:49:00.000+02:002007-04-09T09:24:45.094+02:00

I can't recall when I last flew, and I even wonder wether it was this year. The weather has been warmer than usual for the whole of winter, but the wind conditions haven't been too good.There's a bit of Northerly wind at home, so I guess it's going to be quite good in Très-Le-Mont, I just hope it's not going to be too strong.Gisèle wants to go for a walk in the mountain, so I have a driver to

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1154344031162616522006-07-31T13:06:00.000+02:002006-07-31T13:12:54.990+02:00

Mickaël has organised a short outing to Le Rebollion. We are to meet with Alex and Mickaël's passengers Franck and Delphine at the Dent d'Oche departure parking. It's the first club outing this year and there are a lot of people present: Annelise, Jeremie, Philippe, Michel and Maurice.A short break at the Chalets d'Oche water trough lets us make a photo for posterity, in good tourist fashion.The

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1150179966476515552006-06-12T20:10:00.000+02:002006-06-14T11:22:15.310+02:00

It's been a long time since I've last flown. My brother's death has left me shaken, so it's with a bit of apprehension that I go to the club. There are very few people, which is rather surprising, the conditions seem pretty good. I meet Denis and we drive up to Très-Le-Mont. As we get to the take off, we meet Alex and Eric, both ready to fly away in a tandem flight.I let Denis use the East take

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1137492567194648342006-01-13T22:27:00.000+01:002006-01-17T11:10:36.010+01:00

I haven't flown for a long time, and last week I missed an outing in the Aravis with Michael and Alex where they managed to fly, so with the weather looking stable, I drive to Le Col du Feu late on this Thursday afternoon. I initialy wanted to walk up from my house, but it's really getting too late, and I want to take pictures of the sunset on my way up from above the cloud layer. I park as the

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1133778648175737162005-12-02T07:20:00.000+01:002006-01-17T11:31:08.543+01:00

As the trip to Aconcagua is getting nearer, our training is intensifying. I've even started to go to gym! This morning, however, the weather forecast announces rain for this aftternoon, so I rush to get some outside activity before the weather changes. Yesterday was a beautiful day, but I was in Geneva for the whole day and couldn't take advantage of it.I leave the house shortly before half past

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1137494014736328842005-11-20T23:31:00.000+01:002006-06-07T06:59:50.480+02:00

Technical data: Flight duration 0:15, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1330m, Total climb during flight: 60m, Max rate of climb: +1.0m/s, Max descent rate: -4.0m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1137498994779122922005-11-11T23:34:00.000+01:002006-01-17T13:09:35.320+01:00

I have visited Signes many times, trying to get a flight there, but the weather conditions have not been kind to me. So far.Although I get there after the last vehicle departure, I am determined to fly and set on the path on foot. On my way up, a few pilots fly over my head. The climb is very scenic and pleasant, and I'm standing on the take-off area just before sunset.The view is very nice and

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1130230581758416362005-10-15T22:13:00.000+02:002005-12-09T11:51:07.706+01:00

(Cet article en Français)We meet on Friday late afternoon at Alex's place. At 17:00 Olivier informs us he has some urgent business he has to attend to, and will join us later, so we leisurely make our way to Les Contamines-Montjoie, stopping on the way to consume a pizza.We start walking at half past eight, towards Le Refuge des Conscrits. Our headlamps make small circles on the path in the shade

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1129568478905815892005-09-13T18:57:00.000+02:002005-10-24T17:39:40.890+02:00

(Version Francaise a Vol en Croatie) I'm very excited. The island of Vis, where we've decided to spend a few days, seems to have hills high enough and slopes steep enoug to fly. After talking with a few locals, I learn that "some guys take off from the hill up there", and they land in the field next to the church. I take a walk to check the landing site, and all seems fine. We drive up the hill,

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1124692516586603142005-08-17T20:32:00.000+02:002005-08-23T08:05:01.720+02:00

The wind blew from the South West the whole of yesterday, bringing clouds and unflyable conditions, but it abated during the night, and was very weak this morning. We all await the Northerly triggered by the mid day thermal activity to go and fly from Très-le-Mont.The wind-vane anounces the expected Westerly, but there is still a high veil of clouds, so we don't expect much.Alex tries to go left,

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1124692291584296572005-08-13T20:29:00.000+02:002005-08-23T07:54:33.976+02:00

Jan soon arrives to pick us up, and we're driving to La Croix to do a bit of soaring, as the Southerly is fairly strong. When we get there, a local pilot asks us to look after his glider while he goes to fetch his friend that had to land at the bottom of the slope during a lull in the wind.We setup and soon most of the group has taken to the air, but nobody seems to stay up for very long. The

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1124692154851908052005-08-13T20:26:00.000+02:002005-08-23T07:56:38.646+02:00

I have been trying for quite a while to catch-up with Jan and Khobi while they're on their European tour, but for one reason or another, didn't get it right for the last two years. This year at last, circumstances aligned and I am on my way to Verbier at last. I've never been there, and I'm surprised at how close it is to my place. Somebody tells me that Avoriaz is 27km as the crow flies (a bit

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1123859900517832572005-08-11T23:17:00.000+02:002005-08-22T08:25:34.306+02:00

In the wooded area, the two companions have been busily sawing down the tree on which the wing rests. I grab the saw to give it another go, but the pine-tree is now resting against another pine-tree. It's getting late, and we decide to leave the solution to this problem for tomorrow. Since my wing is in the truck, I'll let Michael and Alex drive it down, and will fly down instead.It's very late,

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1123859860498810932005-08-10T22:16:00.000+02:002005-08-22T08:25:06.596+02:00

Flying at home.The weather beacon is broadcasting Westerly winds, so we head for Tres-le-Mont. There are already a few pilots at the first take-off site, so we head for the second one, away from the crowd and limelight... The wind is fairly strong, gusting at close to 30km/h, but the conditions seem sound. The smoke plumes in the valley rise vertically, so we know we're under the influence of

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1123859768774944712005-08-08T23:15:00.000+02:002005-08-22T08:20:54.036+02:00

For the second flight, the wind has shifted a little bit, but its strength is more regular. Technical data: Flight duration 0:40, Take-off altitude: 1330m, Maximum altitude reached: 1450m, Total climb during flight: 1050m, Max rate of climb: +2.8m/s, Max descent rate: -3.8m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1123859445038889362005-08-08T22:59:00.000+02:002005-08-12T17:37:53.610+02:00

Today the weather is too nice to be wasted in an office, so I head for Orcier. The air was crisp and very cool this morning, and the sun is shining, despite a high veil of clouds, so I expect good thermal activity. Alex joins me at the club terrain, where there are already several other pilots. Some are landing, they've flown already, others have just arrived.We all pile up in the truck,

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1123858452674145032005-08-05T22:53:00.000+02:002005-08-12T16:59:01.540+02:00

Hey hey hey! It's Friday!!!Technical data: Flight duration 0:50, Take-off altitude: 1350m, Maximum altitude reached: 1360m, Total climb during flight: 850m, Max rate of climb: +3.8m/s, Max descent rate: -3.8m/s, Landing altitude: 640m.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1121681456656640812005-07-17T23:13:00.000+02:002005-08-12T16:52:44.746+02:00

We meet two passengers outside the cable-car entrance in Thollon. In a few minutes, we've bought the tickets and start boarding the egg-shaped vehicles that will whizz us to the terminal station in a few minutes. Even though it's getting late in the afternoon, it's a hot ride with little ventilation in the cars.A short walk takes us to the take-off terrain we visited a few weeks ago. Nothing much

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1121673442122971652005-07-17T20:35:00.000+02:002005-08-12T16:46:28.566+02:00

We're a bit in a rush today, as Michael and Olivia have to be back in town for twelve o'clock. The destination is La Pointe de Ressachaux, near Morzine.We leave the cars near the landing, a sloping field outside Morzine, and start walking up. The slope is very steep at the beginning, but Michael assures us there's a gentle slope higher up. The forest and the angle of the slope keep us in the

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1121412130856178762005-07-14T21:12:00.000+02:002005-07-15T09:24:01.926+02:00

Late afternoon, after moving fridges (don't ask), I get to the club in Orcier. Quite a few people are already folding their wings on the freshly manicured grounds. Serge really spoils us with pristine maintenance of the facilities.It doesn't take long to fill the truck and we're off to Tres-le-Mont. As we get there, the weather vane indicates a Northerly wind, so we drive down to Le Couteau.

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1121330746836426992005-07-13T21:09:00.000+02:002005-07-14T10:45:46.933+02:00

The weather hasn't been favourable lately, on Sunday we went up La Dent d'Oche but couldn't fly as the wind was very strong, and we've had low clouds and strong winds since.Today the wind abated, and we wait anxiously for its direction to change. At last the weather beacon announces more Northerly flows after lunch, and a few of us meet at the club in Orcier. We pile up as usual in the truck and

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1120657516255202432005-07-05T22:38:00.000+02:002005-07-09T08:21:23.136+02:00

The weather forecast was accurate: yesterday's rain gave way to a beautiful day, with nice cumulus clouds dotting deep blue skies. Fairly low winds are forecast too, and we spend the morning listening carefuly to the weather beacons surrounding the area. A few of us meet mid-afternoon in Orcier, our recently repaired beacon claims the wind is North-westerly, 15 to 25km/h. We pile up in the truck

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1120481686849751882005-07-03T22:22:00.000+02:002005-07-09T08:28:29.313+02:00

So far, this has been a lazy Sunday. After the week-end nap, I decide to join the rest of the crowd at the club in Orcier. A few hundred meters before I get there, I see a pilot walking on the road with his wing on his back. I stop to give him a lift, it's François. He didn't make the landing field. We soon get to the terrain and he suggests to wait a bit to see if anybody else turns up, and then

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1120478762108904302005-07-02T22:21:00.000+02:002005-07-09T08:30:35.356+02:00

We're all in a rush today, the promise to help my friend Dédé to move a piano he's just purchase is tightening what is usually a week-end schedule. There are few of us to participate today, so we don't have to wait for strays. Michael with his son Frank, and Maurice are already at the meeting point when I get here at 7:30. Maurice puits his gear in the truck and we're on our way. Our destination

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1119888153853384382005-06-26T22:58:00.000+02:002005-06-28T00:09:00.916+02:00

After a good lunch and a nice siesta, we all pile-up in various vehicles (the truck comes to the fore in this occasion) and drive to Très-le-Mont. The wind has shifted from the East a little, and we transfer to Le Couteau which is more appropriate for North-Easterly winds. When we get there, a few people are finalising their preparation and there's even a hang-glider getting ready to launch.The

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1119888708869520172005-06-26T22:05:00.000+02:002005-06-28T00:10:35.860+02:00

Every year, shortly after the beginning of the flying season, we go and cleanup the take off spots. Our club is fairly unique, in that it actually owns the main take-off spots we use, and we rent the landing field, thereby ensuring a safe, controlled environment we can suit to our needs. With ownership comes the duty of care, and every year we meet to cut the bush that inevitably tries to grow in

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1119419534822617902005-06-19T22:38:00.000+02:002005-06-27T23:53:03.240+02:00

It's Sunday, and on Sundays, we have to go to church. The only exception, of course, is for those who go mountaineering and paragliding, so to keep the exemption valid, I decide to join my friend Dédé and his family for a gentle outing. The planned destination of the walk is "La Bombardellaz", a chalet that was used for summer grazing in the years gone past. One of Dédé's great aunts used to

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1119121694587814082005-06-18T21:08:00.000+02:002005-06-18T21:08:14.616+02:00

panoramic - Petetoz Originally uploaded by ParaScubaSailor. No flight today, just a nice short walk with my friend Roger. Does that still count in this blog? Wait... _I_ make the rules here, so it counts. There...

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1118987980844485582005-06-17T01:59:00.000+02:002005-06-18T06:43:37.663+02:00

Taking advantage of the longest days in the year, we meet after work to climb "Sur Cou", a mountain above "La Roche Sur Foron" that we climbed almost a year ago with Maurice and his wife. On the occation of that outing, we discovered a very nice restaurant in Saint Sixt we planned on visiting again. We meet at our intended landing spot, and leave one car there. There is a nice long field where

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1118557419023495672005-06-11T19:54:00.000+02:002005-06-12T11:54:54.920+02:00

This time, Michael has chosen an outing a little more daring than the usual ones, we have to take along crampons and ice picks. There are only four of us meeting on this fine morning. The weather forecast leaves a little bit of doubt, but we reckon we have fair chances of flying. It's a fair drive to Chamonix, capital of climbing and mountain sports, and Alex takes advantage to catch-up on some

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1117993746738801422005-06-05T18:18:00.000+02:002005-06-05T19:49:06.750+02:00

Michael planned on an early start this morning: we have quite a bit of driving to get to Les Evouettes, a small village in the Rhone Valley, just at the beginning of the Lake of Geneva. We all meet at 6:00 at the landing field in Orcier, to wait for the inevitable late participant. While waiting we wonder about the thick cloud barrier, which edge is lit by the rays of the rising sun.We get going

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1117749782022514142005-05-31T23:15:00.000+02:002005-06-04T10:30:28.753+02:00

In the spirit of keeping working weeks to four days, I decided to take Tuesday off. That was a good decision as it rained quite heavily on Monday.There were still a lot of clouds sticking to the sides of the valleys on Tuesday, but the forecast was for good weather, and we took the direction of Vacheresse in Alex car.We leave the car and start walking at Bise, as group of chalets used exculsively

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1117569840954553662005-05-28T22:00:00.000+02:002005-06-02T22:46:24.986+02:00

It's the week-end, and Mickael has organised an outing at "Le Désert de Platé". It's an impressive spot just above Passy, near Sallanches and Chamonix, just at the foot of "Le Mont Blanc".We plan on leaving early, meeting is set for 6:00 at the paragliding club in Orcier. Due to some unforeseen circumstance, we leave much later than that (Alex is still in pennance on that one ;-) and we all pile

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1117567820844928932005-05-26T23:30:00.000+02:002005-05-31T21:36:33.950+02:00

Alex was lent a prototype of the “Bionic 2”, a revolutionary design of paraglider. From a distance, it has a very distinctive profile, featuring a keel in the middle of the wing, separating in effect the airfoil in two separate wings, as it should be. I’m playing potato bag in this one, so my hands are free to snap plenty shots The wing flies beautifully, and Alex is quite thrilled, although he

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1117567066252863732005-05-26T23:09:00.000+02:002005-05-31T21:17:46.253+02:00

It’s almost three in the afternoon. The crowd gathering at the paragliding club is growing restless, everybody wants to go up to Très-le-Mont on this sunny day, but there are road works on the way there, and we’re not sure of which road to take. A small group finally decides to attempt the normal road, hoping we’ll be able to bypass the roadwork area as some did the previous day.We’re not that

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1117515481963523582005-05-26T22:50:00.000+02:002005-05-31T21:01:47.353+02:00

Having taken to the taste of four working days weeks, I decided to take Thursday off, and met Alex to fly from La Point D’Ireuse. That peak is in the background of many of my paragliding photographs, as it is situated a few kilometers South of Très-le-Mont, our paragliding playground.On this picture taken in January this year, you can see the take off site.We leave almost early, at 7:30 and start

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1116776459773055312005-05-21T21:24:00.000+02:002005-05-22T17:40:59.776+02:00

The conditions aren't very good today. The windvanes are proclaiming strong South Westerly winds all around our region, and we know that our North Westerly is going to swing soon, so it's with a certain sense of urgency that we go to Très-le-Mont. As we get to the parking lot, we can immediately see that the windvane is already oriented from the South. As we mull about, we see the vane swing

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1116758204689772142005-05-15T21:47:00.000+02:002005-05-22T14:44:43.340+02:00

One of the great thrills (at least for me, humble beginner) is to land in the field right next to my house. The distance isn't very big, 6 kilometers as the crow flies (about 4 miles, for crows that don't speak metric ;-) by car it takes about twenty five minutes, as you have to travel 15 kilometers on country and mountain roads. On this Sunday afternoon, I've already had an early flight, with

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1116772273530806752005-05-15T21:15:00.000+02:002005-05-22T17:22:59.633+02:00

With the uncertain weather and the South - South-West wind forecast, Mickael organised an outing near Mieussy (birthplace of paragliding). Our destination is the crestline to Le Marcelly. We leave one car at the landing field in Mieussy, and all pile up into my truck to drive to La Chapelle St-Gras, a couple of hundred meters higher on the side of the valley. From there, we ascend in the thalweg,

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1116659819799435022005-05-13T22:10:00.000+02:002005-05-22T12:39:24.216+02:00

Well, the French gummint wants us (workers) to work on Pentecost day, so I take the Monday AND Friday off, just to make a point. I'm not alone in making that point, and on Thursday night I get a message in my voicemail from Mickael, proposing to meet on the top parking lot at Le Môle. The weather forecast is not very good, and when I get up on Friday morning, the clouds are very low, rain is not

ParaScubaSailorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14747608146977324147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13057271.post-1118850671119298862005-01-05T20:53:00.000+01:002005-06-22T08:08:23.820+02:00

The weather is miserable in the valley. Gray low skies, bitter cold, but with plenty of light around, suggesting the sun can't be vey far above. We decide to go and fly from Le Couteau, on the way to Très-le-Mont. As we pass the village of Les Favrats, we emerge from the cloud layer into the sunshine. We drive to the parking at the pass of "Le Col du Feu" and have to leave the car, as the road

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