tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101228262024-03-08T09:34:55.947+09:00GumbiesGaijin in JapanLeanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.comBlogger376125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-79528084085302016512016-08-30T01:10:00.001+09:002016-08-30T02:06:44.121+09:00Alps Paragliding 2016<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXsOpayKZp-mArUzzyB61SN1Ag8Bd7V2iUmkQv5_q02Q_HFKfdCT24WN5K3LoHgN1trVV24aWX1GfsRk_Mp3pnwnn9kGOEtTMLtbQBMuproosGdneVgw2tYZPX4oMiEXaDXxYBQ/s1600/overview.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXsOpayKZp-mArUzzyB61SN1Ag8Bd7V2iUmkQv5_q02Q_HFKfdCT24WN5K3LoHgN1trVV24aWX1GfsRk_Mp3pnwnn9kGOEtTMLtbQBMuproosGdneVgw2tYZPX4oMiEXaDXxYBQ/s400/overview.jpg" width="470" /></a>
Here are my (Rick's) flights for this time around. I was hoping to do some big XC in the 200-300km range, but alternately stable and unstable weather conditions seemed to conspire against me. Still, looking at this map, not a bad effort! I was able to fly for all 13 days of the holiday, with a decent XC distance on most days. Here is the day-by-day summary:</br></br>
Date Location XC Distance Comment
<b>Aug 8</b> Allevard to Grenoble <b>37km</b> we arrived in Paris on 6am that same day!</br>
<b>Aug 9</b> Mt. S. Giorgio, Italy <b>15km</b> unstable, front passing thru; climbed Via Ferrata</br>
<b>Aug 10</b> Mt. S. Giorgio to Masseranga <b>112km</b> nice flight along foothills of Alps</br>
<b>Aug 11</b> Laveno <b>79km</b> triangle could not quite close it due to valley wind</br>
<b>Aug 12</b> Laveno to Varzo <b>69km</b> very stable, tried to cross to Switzerland</br>
<b>Aug 13</b> Fiesch, Switzerland <b>116km</b> flew over Weisshorn glacier!</br>
<b>Aug 14</b> Fiesch <b>169km</b> triangle could not extend to south due to showers</br>
<b>Aug 15</b> Fiesch to Martigny <b>121km</b> aimed for Chamonix but shut down by valley winds</br>
<b>Aug 16</b> Aravis to Montendry <b>52km</b> aiming further south but too stable</br>
<b>Aug 16</b> Montendry to Albertville <b>52km</b> returned north</br>
<b>Aug 17</b> Sallaz to Arclusaz <b>59km</b> unstable, landed due to thunderstorm</br>
<b>Aug 17</b> Annecy <b>14km</b> bought new harness, then evening flight</br>
<b>Aug 18</b> Les Richards to Mt. Orel <b>45km</b> unstable, top-landed to wait out rain</br>
<b>Aug 18</b> Mt. Orel to Ceillac <b>39km</b> unstable, dodging dark clouds</br>
<b>Aug 19</b> Briancon-Prorel <b>10km</b> too much wind, aborted triangle</br>
<b>Aug 19</b> Ceillac <b>60km</b> three laps of 20km</br>
<b>Aug 20</b> Baulme-la-Roche, Burgundy <b>3km</b> evening ridge soaring, left Paris next morning</br></br>
TOTAL 1052km</br></br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90zJnQyDF0PD8wYLOmSBB3ybqgSN3HwMySFr7MAEqyDFF_ctKmJWZhWGw7FmpyoNJR-Q-Z1cU2sifs_Qow_zdS6ZwjYrnINxBDDpyR_aTChkMhBeFkk5mY50Pl6eSgVt5MvCklw/s1600/20160808_181428.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90zJnQyDF0PD8wYLOmSBB3ybqgSN3HwMySFr7MAEqyDFF_ctKmJWZhWGw7FmpyoNJR-Q-Z1cU2sifs_Qow_zdS6ZwjYrnINxBDDpyR_aTChkMhBeFkk5mY50Pl6eSgVt5MvCklw/s640/20160808_181428.jpg" width="500" /></a>
The Isere Valley on the first day. I was mostly only 100-200m above valley bottom for most of the flight!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIukv49ESJBeiFRh2As2CH4ZnvWD3YlrGyx8Niud6ysKU5W9SJwKzRK72t5phAs3R5VAvLsQMzy8hAFsp9ajd0fF0gSk9ek7y0FCkrRllrNuAhgM-k3u9SZwu9I6X2QGXzi4krA/s1600/20160809_141435.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIukv49ESJBeiFRh2As2CH4ZnvWD3YlrGyx8Niud6ysKU5W9SJwKzRK72t5phAs3R5VAvLsQMzy8hAFsp9ajd0fF0gSk9ek7y0FCkrRllrNuAhgM-k3u9SZwu9I6X2QGXzi4krA/s640/20160809_141435.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Via Ferrata in Italy. After a short flight in the morning, unfavorable weather made this a better way to spend the rest of the day.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8RqSD4WzqBxOi74N5PrNQzvDHOD597LaHZhjlsSmKaLYQSBbI0B7ZltLdi71Rh7MuXNQB8Yu7C8Gw3p2HTr1yyHljj-Nzk9ixg5syUZ1RY7RUs4sqCjpSTTJp1IrihoXt7y0Zg/s1600/20160809_143426.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8RqSD4WzqBxOi74N5PrNQzvDHOD597LaHZhjlsSmKaLYQSBbI0B7ZltLdi71Rh7MuXNQB8Yu7C8Gw3p2HTr1yyHljj-Nzk9ixg5syUZ1RY7RUs4sqCjpSTTJp1IrihoXt7y0Zg/s640/20160809_143426.jpg" width="500" /></a>
A scenic view of the Susa valley from the via ferrata route.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg-ULfT11FsnxlRLyWQ1nx4VR9gor9hpaPe1uMrIY34nCelLyIEZ3JdVjDh2s-5bqCXMw3SVOfSbLuGJ_N7GtrgOLEQr6LB1VpFtgyQx5CQilvFhELcWgC5fFNPBS9l6b59RJbQ/s1600/20160810_134000.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg-ULfT11FsnxlRLyWQ1nx4VR9gor9hpaPe1uMrIY34nCelLyIEZ3JdVjDh2s-5bqCXMw3SVOfSbLuGJ_N7GtrgOLEQr6LB1VpFtgyQx5CQilvFhELcWgC5fFNPBS9l6b59RJbQ/s640/20160810_134000.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Crossing the Aosta Valley on the Italian foothills route.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hRBqqa1E4h1Q5Z6RpJOAcQjTThJ0Pc_tEi9gWe8I4QOc63LZOmlAEPnY7bV0PcGQnKyXRBLgeDZO4LgNsvpZ8pMqh0TOUlmRVXskBFkjgpYuDWDe-ErKOi6jSHr4HowH0mxN4w/s1600/20160810_153734.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hRBqqa1E4h1Q5Z6RpJOAcQjTThJ0Pc_tEi9gWe8I4QOc63LZOmlAEPnY7bV0PcGQnKyXRBLgeDZO4LgNsvpZ8pMqh0TOUlmRVXskBFkjgpYuDWDe-ErKOi6jSHr4HowH0mxN4w/s640/20160810_153734.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Landing at the small village of Masseranga, after a 112km XC flight.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJll3Br0HMrbDh5-xIwQukLzpFF-DAlT4AMcm2e1hMVflFE4D7qqk0Tmm6K-wte5kKK2fYmucMtVJMZetWUND1YskjTV0A3MCHa3FLf6G6p0FoIPmRt4-5BsFCFL-IuZ3xmsP-A/s1600/20160811_143207.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJll3Br0HMrbDh5-xIwQukLzpFF-DAlT4AMcm2e1hMVflFE4D7qqk0Tmm6K-wte5kKK2fYmucMtVJMZetWUND1YskjTV0A3MCHa3FLf6G6p0FoIPmRt4-5BsFCFL-IuZ3xmsP-A/s640/20160811_143207.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Flying over the Lombardy Lakes: Lago Maggiore and the town of Intra.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQOF7ORvGSn5cXfTr-VxSqOKW_bE24PXy2oJ_ZbX0sDCz66hhcYCjxbSKcqRerLq_Ec9WnkMSFXzIcCt_TvzzjpS6tuIdb6qu3PSNOxl57O2rYQi0Z0c8b9wMt_W5bzhddhjFFA/s1600/20160814_101528.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQOF7ORvGSn5cXfTr-VxSqOKW_bE24PXy2oJ_ZbX0sDCz66hhcYCjxbSKcqRerLq_Ec9WnkMSFXzIcCt_TvzzjpS6tuIdb6qu3PSNOxl57O2rYQi0Z0c8b9wMt_W5bzhddhjFFA/s640/20160814_101528.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Waiting for thermals at the Fiesch TO, Switzerland.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4aHF2OHlsKvfXqUZXmsPur57jI_oqro_pwzCzeTIysrJi-Tzw1Sthaz0oyezClDSKn-i6LCvRF6VASv-lLOkU9rSDYS96lEwDp8Q1C8CGkPO5z-L2-4xHkhGe5SeV2oSsjSH2A/s1600/20160814_120639.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4aHF2OHlsKvfXqUZXmsPur57jI_oqro_pwzCzeTIysrJi-Tzw1Sthaz0oyezClDSKn-i6LCvRF6VASv-lLOkU9rSDYS96lEwDp8Q1C8CGkPO5z-L2-4xHkhGe5SeV2oSsjSH2A/s640/20160814_120639.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Grimsel Pass, a famous turnpoint on the Fiesch super-skyway.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOLGVZCP4CHL351YkQn2OD3pl74ITv-OIc5TDb_fINvYFG0m-VU_BCBW00o1cZdumq_GAkhXJ9WPo0nSQLYr22NY_0OaDWwHS1u-ILHiai9SLYcfORze87Y17yedyOCy8HU2iXw/s1600/20160814_144301.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOLGVZCP4CHL351YkQn2OD3pl74ITv-OIc5TDb_fINvYFG0m-VU_BCBW00o1cZdumq_GAkhXJ9WPo0nSQLYr22NY_0OaDWwHS1u-ILHiai9SLYcfORze87Y17yedyOCy8HU2iXw/s640/20160814_144301.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Flying for distance between the Rhone Valley and the Bernese Oberland, altitude nearly 4000m.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJp-6VckfFcfnYotNON_HjbtDuFN2ixYowLCpyhhTp1h1jlCiJJCC9u_HO8lAKVRenV5ONBWRqxIpA-1YmXUWwzPuY0QFW1OQv5xmpK0U9H7dDqtUU0d9NJVRGgicUe-LlS5cyA/s1600/20160813_132612.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJp-6VckfFcfnYotNON_HjbtDuFN2ixYowLCpyhhTp1h1jlCiJJCC9u_HO8lAKVRenV5ONBWRqxIpA-1YmXUWwzPuY0QFW1OQv5xmpK0U9H7dDqtUU0d9NJVRGgicUe-LlS5cyA/s640/20160813_132612.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Flying the Bernese Oberland, with its highest peak Finsteraarhorn (4274m).
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ0lCKZCovG_AlVZTFX3gsXCcbhRLLBMaC4UNKTVV3XNk2Kc63Vx9NQLMUrChFFZC4RUD_67gUIwKWHQzUZ6M908yii7YedjcF9YOmCcv61kgj7iTwRHhpNqVlLOs9-rGPDOaYQ/s1600/20160813_163631.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ0lCKZCovG_AlVZTFX3gsXCcbhRLLBMaC4UNKTVV3XNk2Kc63Vx9NQLMUrChFFZC4RUD_67gUIwKWHQzUZ6M908yii7YedjcF9YOmCcv61kgj7iTwRHhpNqVlLOs9-rGPDOaYQ/s640/20160813_163631.jpg" width="500" /></a>
On the other side of the valley, the main Alpine Ridge, with Monte Rosa (4634m), the second highest mountain in the Alps.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidPJ9MW3EA3wrS1lMTVNeyPT8lVfWR1m05Q33Il9wJWE0oz0RMKDGdeqm4DX_6gh7OxBQqXy-vrHgGFQjvI28yjy9JfAwT4PS3LyInXEsaB3uW_RoUlJ0w3u-2nsd-98imYGOjQ/s1600/20160813_174636.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidPJ9MW3EA3wrS1lMTVNeyPT8lVfWR1m05Q33Il9wJWE0oz0RMKDGdeqm4DX_6gh7OxBQqXy-vrHgGFQjvI28yjy9JfAwT4PS3LyInXEsaB3uW_RoUlJ0w3u-2nsd-98imYGOjQ/s640/20160813_174636.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Flying near the Weisshorn (4506m).
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCu5eqZSZi34879xRSvrGZgWyI20Uwu_JqhDyGM0onXfTO041Gw4EBEFEt-iIcidCaYczFXisj35byEZOb8QLs4HVUwmoWzifXdFI1Fkkrw4NYnn6RvzLVt8Ufep59-w4VFb05lw/s1600/20160816_162452.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCu5eqZSZi34879xRSvrGZgWyI20Uwu_JqhDyGM0onXfTO041Gw4EBEFEt-iIcidCaYczFXisj35byEZOb8QLs4HVUwmoWzifXdFI1Fkkrw4NYnn6RvzLVt8Ufep59-w4VFb05lw/s640/20160816_162452.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Hanging glacier on Grand Pic de la Lauziere (2829m), Savoie, France.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqLgcUF8tzklGfb2AjPojAfl2Gn8NnsXUnMlvtGpPVxLhZW3n2Y1fEIaupIrNkSvRY_Jzz0KAF67yS7h8GzAMhV2Zg_65y-ADJhY91LKItwpbS_RlL5DX8SI3fm9eB1SE2j8XLw/s1600/20160817_192243.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqLgcUF8tzklGfb2AjPojAfl2Gn8NnsXUnMlvtGpPVxLhZW3n2Y1fEIaupIrNkSvRY_Jzz0KAF67yS7h8GzAMhV2Zg_65y-ADJhY91LKItwpbS_RlL5DX8SI3fm9eB1SE2j8XLw/s640/20160817_192243.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Friendly, civilized, and scenic Annecy.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-gaifOfRUaNNaQ18yaTp4prEuPOzqrPBEOBBpMj4cZ-BN4ImTK4bwI_STQt7OEiOjI3QNgcqbBDtHvvrvbLSQgFssomjmRjxeEvlzQlJBm5URgSbOvrEvCB-h8-2NebB7gkuVQ/s1600/20160819_154702.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-gaifOfRUaNNaQ18yaTp4prEuPOzqrPBEOBBpMj4cZ-BN4ImTK4bwI_STQt7OEiOjI3QNgcqbBDtHvvrvbLSQgFssomjmRjxeEvlzQlJBm5URgSbOvrEvCB-h8-2NebB7gkuVQ/s640/20160819_154702.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Ceillac, a unique paragliding location in the rocky southern Alps near the Italian border.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjEDlLssPQmKj1lRpxxEV-R-MAcq0E44aced_gekowUxsji3FAvKuUoDct3hxXHHYkoH-VTlHKZn4GuE0lHir8iTap4vNOAwwHOGYeIj4TNR6XYMftq-oQy3OKzpL6T3qT0xEPQ/s1600/20160819_171015.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjEDlLssPQmKj1lRpxxEV-R-MAcq0E44aced_gekowUxsji3FAvKuUoDct3hxXHHYkoH-VTlHKZn4GuE0lHir8iTap4vNOAwwHOGYeIj4TNR6XYMftq-oQy3OKzpL6T3qT0xEPQ/s640/20160819_171015.jpg" width="500" /></a>
The Queyras Mountains around Ceillac.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChqk30MMe1WGTIGsArg96TIYNnrdHNPKo5RN196zhcV1biWA6CdBvYaLpW4Bb3lv6MZW1i0EyNfhsVKUCZNBGXdrwUNsVhDzQSVib1ZilYvGknNQjlraa42seUWzxIELdeetYHg/s1600/20160820_200443.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChqk30MMe1WGTIGsArg96TIYNnrdHNPKo5RN196zhcV1biWA6CdBvYaLpW4Bb3lv6MZW1i0EyNfhsVKUCZNBGXdrwUNsVhDzQSVib1ZilYvGknNQjlraa42seUWzxIELdeetYHg/s640/20160820_200443.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Final evening in Europe, ridge soaring until sunset at Baulme-la-Roche in Burgundy.
<div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-76419458863424557032014-09-04T03:00:00.002+09:002014-10-14T23:55:21.405+09:00"Liberistes" - Free Flying in the French AlpsIn the following series, we'd like to touch upon our recent paragliding trip to the French Alps. In two weeks, between August 11 and 23, in spite of less-than-ideal weather, we managed to cover a significant amount of ground and airspace: 4000km by car, and about 600km by paraglider. Though we have visited France and climbed in the Alps a number of times before, and have over 2000 hours in the air (in Japan and Australia) between the two of us, we were astonished by the new, striking, never-seen-before landscapes. We would like to share some of these with you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj275IEoneRp8-kF3d6eN7hp1S_D551MpcBzidI5Wrw9LO-whyF6yGJ0guvKDTeQQW6x9KicHopk1iE_jDqUPD-UUiTmXXUEaVk0JixK_tPzEw40TScnrfEVDuelGNjKSNTIqKd-w/s1600/overview2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj275IEoneRp8-kF3d6eN7hp1S_D551MpcBzidI5Wrw9LO-whyF6yGJ0guvKDTeQQW6x9KicHopk1iE_jDqUPD-UUiTmXXUEaVk0JixK_tPzEw40TScnrfEVDuelGNjKSNTIqKd-w/s1600/overview2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Map of Europe, frame showing where we were.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpKVfMwQHuzm2GWyNvohv_Ftez0gZkg16hwRJj54FkLhTisZGn-AckdSIbt6YxfaqZCFld5ALCAZsb2hkHxS1VlHFZbq5QUHRb8xDwEWwDb2mTmosOySxCqB70LsJMmcT5VhRTw/s1600/overview1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpKVfMwQHuzm2GWyNvohv_Ftez0gZkg16hwRJj54FkLhTisZGn-AckdSIbt6YxfaqZCFld5ALCAZsb2hkHxS1VlHFZbq5QUHRb8xDwEWwDb2mTmosOySxCqB70LsJMmcT5VhRTw/s1600/overview1.jpg" height="400" width="311" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Flights are marked with colored lines.</i></div>
<br />
The French Alps spread roughly in a north-south direction in the southwest of France between Lake Geneva and the Mediterranean Sea, and include the range's highest peak, Mt. Blanc, at 4808m, along with numerous other 3000 and 4000m peaks. The mountains grow in size from west to east, culminating at the French-Italian border which runs along the highest ridges. They experience a range of climatic conditions; particularly the southern ranges tend to be dry and windy in summertime due to the influence of the Mediterranean; during our visit the northern parts were often windless but cloudy. Occasionally the western ramparts would stop the clouds, offering unexpectedly good conditions deeper among the higher peaks. We studied meteorological data and forecasts meticulously in the evenings, often moving base taking advantage of whatever weather phenomenon we could. It worked out fairly well overall.<br />
<br />
The areas we visited were:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Mt. Myon</b>, near Bourg-en-Brasse, not really in the Alps but in the western foothills of the Jura mountains, on the way in from Paris (it was raining in the Alps at the time).</li>
<li><b>Annecy</b>, the mecca of French, if not European, paragliding...but we only enjoyed one day of good conditions there.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rtHdC0nuUPGWP9qPclyhK4CTctvgfDVMIBf9-z87VHEVKt3Cg93QhuVFTGGeFKSKtFJB-YJKC_3i1GBUufgpAuY06qwiQqJPU3ttV1qMoKK5spsmoJBeam5HdJQovx7kVTkMjQ/s1600/lake_annecy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rtHdC0nuUPGWP9qPclyhK4CTctvgfDVMIBf9-z87VHEVKt3Cg93QhuVFTGGeFKSKtFJB-YJKC_3i1GBUufgpAuY06qwiQqJPU3ttV1qMoKK5spsmoJBeam5HdJQovx7kVTkMjQ/s1600/lake_annecy.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Feet on speed bar, hands on C's, crossing over Lake Annecy.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcK21TXHaoJDddeUv91fOgtuFQNTgJcE94pg15yQ_8M0xSp8vuKqK2zM1zoMOuQlGSo2waNPHdjtw0CQBeomodIvW0x_O_sOMQaaovyaOGrdtTIzVSNLgTADVSWuiz_4zgg4Brg/s1600/parmelan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcK21TXHaoJDddeUv91fOgtuFQNTgJcE94pg15yQ_8M0xSp8vuKqK2zM1zoMOuQlGSo2waNPHdjtw0CQBeomodIvW0x_O_sOMQaaovyaOGrdtTIzVSNLgTADVSWuiz_4zgg4Brg/s1600/parmelan.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Parmelan cliffs near Annecy.</i></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>St. Vincent</b>, an excellent place right on the geographic divide between the north and south, with excellent XC potential.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQw9GqJrejR4kXS3b5S09L05bdZEK-wTM8ni_PvCvBVvU6ofN28E8RwdCIME68ii4_l3MrFac0-sJS8ehFOguAjnQv490Q7DYAe9P0JJOYHKMPjFCAPBCz2HTYw1AjNZzT7-VVw/s1600/stv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQw9GqJrejR4kXS3b5S09L05bdZEK-wTM8ni_PvCvBVvU6ofN28E8RwdCIME68ii4_l3MrFac0-sJS8ehFOguAjnQv490Q7DYAe9P0JJOYHKMPjFCAPBCz2HTYw1AjNZzT7-VVw/s1600/stv1.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Scenic Lake Serre-Poncon in the background, St. Vincent.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn_q3Q6eIfWnW0SkBqu6bW82qtZQEgHc0Vzwdk1TABPnwuLjKvvU5MWThvI1B3UCW_t8fjwOQc1Zg8IYqmIVORbtq7gFXVNuveJSb2xkyKXmxZ_VSg3PVV0oDjGhheOuxdrkksw/s1600/stv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn_q3Q6eIfWnW0SkBqu6bW82qtZQEgHc0Vzwdk1TABPnwuLjKvvU5MWThvI1B3UCW_t8fjwOQc1Zg8IYqmIVORbtq7gFXVNuveJSb2xkyKXmxZ_VSg3PVV0oDjGhheOuxdrkksw/s1600/stv2.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>St. Vincent, house thermal.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aWcPe18a1bsvk5WSo3LtfVpvqZTB2Sm1Hc3SrINye0b48yEHEJKtldoMRgYM0cxLVHVGjMiSTej1bpEHc0cYxPqoRhazVIC0bhyra73qaXHja6wh7cwJpoDvcrumxM7-StMBWQ/s1600/dormillouse+l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aWcPe18a1bsvk5WSo3LtfVpvqZTB2Sm1Hc3SrINye0b48yEHEJKtldoMRgYM0cxLVHVGjMiSTej1bpEHc0cYxPqoRhazVIC0bhyra73qaXHja6wh7cwJpoDvcrumxM7-StMBWQ/s1600/dormillouse+l.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>Thermalling with Leanne over the 2505m Dormillouse, near St. Vincent.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikU1Ymmu6PGMP2MIMbvimILA6B4tCMyoHDD8-fRF5hJR3IwdKAewt0lR8DIz5ghDDxfsMxY9M4p-NSNMJ9CNl_ZjD_QR-UUoY4alTXaGyg43biygQl6SzDJmOBVGQx0ZS5mqoRlw/s1600/estrop1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikU1Ymmu6PGMP2MIMbvimILA6B4tCMyoHDD8-fRF5hJR3IwdKAewt0lR8DIz5ghDDxfsMxY9M4p-NSNMJ9CNl_ZjD_QR-UUoY4alTXaGyg43biygQl6SzDJmOBVGQx0ZS5mqoRlw/s1600/estrop1.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>Tete d'Estrop, at 2961m a worthy goal, 40km out-and-return from St. Vincent.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i><br /></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgSrL31H-6VS5aAjiGJcs1xzLg3rCKWghFNqyupILV7jrQAGp2jGL0EpIuixuv-x0bG3jM0O-O07oU9qMsf3L9ra_loeHOhVwtXKuRMdB1XUWQvYs2lMfqzf33OZxW7vP65xZ_Q/s1600/vieille.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgSrL31H-6VS5aAjiGJcs1xzLg3rCKWghFNqyupILV7jrQAGp2jGL0EpIuixuv-x0bG3jM0O-O07oU9qMsf3L9ra_loeHOhVwtXKuRMdB1XUWQvYs2lMfqzf33OZxW7vP65xZ_Q/s1600/vieille.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>Tete de la Vieille, sunset cruising near St. Vincent.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbRAHrJpNmTv5kqw5vKb10LS0KkDyqxHRV-Q4IVGLFKV0o75qGJ5Zo8Of8BMEagTNlUaBWCha44vLdbQvxxSxwgIF_np8Dr26JsKsiysagxgbjqzXGReR1aoT3uwrlK93dd1Frg/s1600/morgon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbRAHrJpNmTv5kqw5vKb10LS0KkDyqxHRV-Q4IVGLFKV0o75qGJ5Zo8Of8BMEagTNlUaBWCha44vLdbQvxxSxwgIF_np8Dr26JsKsiysagxgbjqzXGReR1aoT3uwrlK93dd1Frg/s1600/morgon1.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>Summit flyby, Morgon Peak (2324m).</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>St. Andre</b>, possibly the best site in the south Alps.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNH11lYB1dR7LgH5bXhNSMXP3Ce5pVJobM0eSDQeCirVp5KG0ubXFZl5uJgDb6uNAwyw_-ydJE4PXMd7wElc4ggQXW0sF8-5KMxr2cWj7o5O75Bj_jQzCxrEYibhsPieeURhugw/s1600/sta1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNH11lYB1dR7LgH5bXhNSMXP3Ce5pVJobM0eSDQeCirVp5KG0ubXFZl5uJgDb6uNAwyw_-ydJE4PXMd7wElc4ggQXW0sF8-5KMxr2cWj7o5O75Bj_jQzCxrEYibhsPieeURhugw/s1600/sta1.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>High over St. Andre.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSr8Ovi9gInAk1XfOAGrXNSLelmqDSH7rahWl42OWKIFYqm_eVp427ftiLjtp-jCIXvy7rTG-y3y_-M8PqHFL9xz9hUQx3X4Nk1teusYYq2-JRWghkXf9Y5deuDKZZb8RS6cj6A/s1600/sunset-sta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSr8Ovi9gInAk1XfOAGrXNSLelmqDSH7rahWl42OWKIFYqm_eVp427ftiLjtp-jCIXvy7rTG-y3y_-M8PqHFL9xz9hUQx3X4Nk1teusYYq2-JRWghkXf9Y5deuDKZZb8RS6cj6A/s1600/sunset-sta.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>8:30 P.M. Leanne enjoys the sunset at St. Andre.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHcHdDwmfcHQ6yXQL5haYrTEgZKDCsjdndMqlsqOTJPMC6dW9hRkNka6MHUaqalqk9FwJfD3JD6k-GLfhSw1aD6PHtmzOi1Vg6YVZSo22wwpGeWvZZOLTfp8uTmwKRjcYspOtfg/s1600/cheval.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHcHdDwmfcHQ6yXQL5haYrTEgZKDCsjdndMqlsqOTJPMC6dW9hRkNka6MHUaqalqk9FwJfD3JD6k-GLfhSw1aD6PHtmzOi1Vg6YVZSo22wwpGeWvZZOLTfp8uTmwKRjcYspOtfg/s1600/cheval.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>Cheval Blanc (2323m), 17km from St. Andre, along the 50km XC route to St. Vincent.</i></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Ceillac</b>, a beautiful place deep in the mountains near the Italian border. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1a6Yg76m0derpMZTkUIlRoRC6xHHBcc9WOepf6mnLScXXIwFXo15IgKTgArdufkkGAAbKZHcJVk_bPWKQ1-EOn1yQAvEqe5_hywHR7hfgbjodBMu_DSQu24O2B_ePlHI1y7mmEA/s1600/ceillac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1a6Yg76m0derpMZTkUIlRoRC6xHHBcc9WOepf6mnLScXXIwFXo15IgKTgArdufkkGAAbKZHcJVk_bPWKQ1-EOn1yQAvEqe5_hywHR7hfgbjodBMu_DSQu24O2B_ePlHI1y7mmEA/s1600/ceillac.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>Ceillac village, nestled in a deep valley among 3000-m snowy peaks.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVBW577xLUCFl7SEdri8SJhFeKdeBLJAzXbhsica4jI0owliWgkHYiT4cMwujqYBrE4SkDfs5gmx15gWwosV0Js3NiCwPTBuRgba9OeBxfcXVxDR0HYgfQmFDSrlDw_IJ0xba4Q/s1600/queyras2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVBW577xLUCFl7SEdri8SJhFeKdeBLJAzXbhsica4jI0owliWgkHYiT4cMwujqYBrE4SkDfs5gmx15gWwosV0Js3NiCwPTBuRgba9OeBxfcXVxDR0HYgfQmFDSrlDw_IJ0xba4Q/s1600/queyras2.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>Queyras mountains, wilderness beyond Ceillac.</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Courtet</b>, kind of in the middle of nowhere between the Vercors and Ecrins ranges.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Aravis</b>, a walk-up takeoff we discovered that made flying in the morning (and hence all day) possible.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7IFSC_WV-kibQR4ZShGc5JbTQlLnaYF3Xl7ChMXa0VoP5d56-9DNAnaaWTEQilbDmWLE_EvsSkdBAs-lBJY8EmziODX9jCxKvKhwLAvwtEkWB4ZtEwPI7AFQA3Z3Pq4aJZDLlw/s1600/aravis1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7IFSC_WV-kibQR4ZShGc5JbTQlLnaYF3Xl7ChMXa0VoP5d56-9DNAnaaWTEQilbDmWLE_EvsSkdBAs-lBJY8EmziODX9jCxKvKhwLAvwtEkWB4ZtEwPI7AFQA3Z3Pq4aJZDLlw/s1600/aravis1.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>Taking off in the wild but strategic Col des Aravis.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuWC3CJjxB_R8pg9Aj7G2mB_gIBSjzql9RJKygwoLeF8rm2h-Aj9-TaB3EmM1w-VtTyMumia61L-26MYe3_a2A693zTATLkEFuM21SvcinNBvAtFNZajoLl1XKMvklaPUIDDYVw/s1600/percee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuWC3CJjxB_R8pg9Aj7G2mB_gIBSjzql9RJKygwoLeF8rm2h-Aj9-TaB3EmM1w-VtTyMumia61L-26MYe3_a2A693zTATLkEFuM21SvcinNBvAtFNZajoLl1XKMvklaPUIDDYVw/s1600/percee.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>Threading the striking Aravis chain.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxugFFJMMBI9lk48XPENtc5jTP7aEoFpZPOvdBKVFZEcgYmf2cuWu_rOKhcltz5ke1lGrRsy9Xeg7vrXBCGuCf6dcb2aT2Nmf7T4xm1U3-pE0O56t1Qc1vTAvWAM6vN9QRFdfBxA/s1600/sallanches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxugFFJMMBI9lk48XPENtc5jTP7aEoFpZPOvdBKVFZEcgYmf2cuWu_rOKhcltz5ke1lGrRsy9Xeg7vrXBCGuCf6dcb2aT2Nmf7T4xm1U3-pE0O56t1Qc1vTAvWAM6vN9QRFdfBxA/s1600/sallanches.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>Crossing from Aravis over the wide Arve valley, with 4808-m Mt. Blanc in the backdrop.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b style="text-align: right;">St. Marcel</b><span style="text-align: right;">, a rather secret, strategically located XC takeoff (but unfortunately it was overcast!) </span></li>
<li><b>St. Hilaire</b>, near Grenoble, a very civilized, carpeted, and with its own funicular access, along with Annecy probably the busiest takeoff in France.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cWoJp2084pN7QFHR9URtIUBAZyw5bxT9tnrVdO5S9FjdpweCgDIhj8nxz4Kk9RE9uZsc1dX7ldA5WCKivMVce-pzu4rrdq9tUhtWTaKJo_orLWKt29uXeEc0Pg85lrpl6SM0Nw/s1600/sthilaire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cWoJp2084pN7QFHR9URtIUBAZyw5bxT9tnrVdO5S9FjdpweCgDIhj8nxz4Kk9RE9uZsc1dX7ldA5WCKivMVce-pzu4rrdq9tUhtWTaKJo_orLWKt29uXeEc0Pg85lrpl6SM0Nw/s1600/sthilaire.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>St. Hillaire, beautiful and ideal topography for paragliding.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i><br /></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXlUdsAAb-ntbUHZ9CGSA9LPfJ5RUFzi63KpOfBb-anjuhb3GDJL7HnF4-7yq6-Clnlpm0bvLHjUlvwtXbQfnrvuZ7aW3MsLuXQX_A4s6shkU9DXP1tCrt-Vusb5uhKPKki8_AQ/s1600/grenoble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXlUdsAAb-ntbUHZ9CGSA9LPfJ5RUFzi63KpOfBb-anjuhb3GDJL7HnF4-7yq6-Clnlpm0bvLHjUlvwtXbQfnrvuZ7aW3MsLuXQX_A4s6shkU9DXP1tCrt-Vusb5uhKPKki8_AQ/s1600/grenoble.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<i>City of Grenoble, the largest in the French Alps, 30km out and return from St. Hillaire.</i></div>
We also managed to fly XC over numerous other more or less famous places such as Mt. Lambert, Samoens, etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPg1UyogrS5K3NTernzRi2Dlydr_IKiNgB38_LVuoIOKuoHEsvFFAERNtZ1OPnEVdjOWXnM_Re2zcOhxy-s0hcwWCDWzXugjFh6R94EBLiV8xr2gqSNxbrzx73mdn0a45prT8Uw/s1600/oddaz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPg1UyogrS5K3NTernzRi2Dlydr_IKiNgB38_LVuoIOKuoHEsvFFAERNtZ1OPnEVdjOWXnM_Re2zcOhxy-s0hcwWCDWzXugjFh6R94EBLiV8xr2gqSNxbrzx73mdn0a45prT8Uw/s1600/oddaz.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: right;"> </span><i style="text-align: right;">Alpine playground on the Swiss border at Samoens.</i></div>
<br />
By the way, paragliding and hang-gliding are collectively called "Vol Libre" or "Free Flight" in French, and enthusiasts of this sport are therefore, "Liberistes". I rather like the sound of that! Not to mention, use of the luxurious takeoffs is completely free (paid for by local administration), and sometimes so are even the shuttles to take you there from the base of the mountain. How much better could it get?<br />
<br />
Coming soon! In the next few entries, I'll talk about some of my cross-country flights in a little more detail. <br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cp0YsH4KlMU?list=UUPZgsYrF2s-YKK48_Doir8g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UEj4bGJVk5M?list=UUPZgsYrF2s-YKK48_Doir8g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-88810108979239752662014-01-30T01:54:00.003+09:002014-01-30T01:55:39.625+09:00Traverse of Amakusa`s Kankai Alps<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQW7Es2OOwjJZyzdy3jx9yhSEtlgwACtwsJ3XzCJW3h8zdfqDuJ_LnVgYtIAIOnwZ8norAlqrtVFfmYDox7I8jGSNN0wPsnLr9oIcJFzeQlJst7VY74h2V0wfOPEq6XcOSj2AXw/s1600/trailmap.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQW7Es2OOwjJZyzdy3jx9yhSEtlgwACtwsJ3XzCJW3h8zdfqDuJ_LnVgYtIAIOnwZ8norAlqrtVFfmYDox7I8jGSNN0wPsnLr9oIcJFzeQlJst7VY74h2V0wfOPEq6XcOSj2AXw/s400/trailmap.jpg" /></a>
<br />
天草の観海アルプスの縦走の地図。 A map of the traverse of Amakusa`s Kankai Alps
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdnmjuPXrP52O5nAiQlnVX399bHDi6P_mY83hoNW8UZ0uSr7lQnGpQ2Mx_Lfm9HtHMrFAXhl5PfMS9rpFT-q-Xxsrr9KtyEuVljMbXaQKrQbziCsA7rxXgv4xiYGFMSFeKDE34Q/s1600/part1.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdnmjuPXrP52O5nAiQlnVX399bHDi6P_mY83hoNW8UZ0uSr7lQnGpQ2Mx_Lfm9HtHMrFAXhl5PfMS9rpFT-q-Xxsrr9KtyEuVljMbXaQKrQbziCsA7rxXgv4xiYGFMSFeKDE34Q/s320/part1.png" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOdRR7KTDYDy8PwF-2U4O86J-aEk_9cjDT_fLYncvH3rcNYyFoJaEY8KvLyQW4hpf7-nel822Vj51-z3Kmqo0bRSg3V4VcMO9-Pm3xT3ZVE9SPRnwWKsPvd3SEdt-dQmKLjKTIg/s1600/collage2.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOdRR7KTDYDy8PwF-2U4O86J-aEk_9cjDT_fLYncvH3rcNYyFoJaEY8KvLyQW4hpf7-nel822Vj51-z3Kmqo0bRSg3V4VcMO9-Pm3xT3ZVE9SPRnwWKsPvd3SEdt-dQmKLjKTIg/s320/collage2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEvZNTfG7OJKhDj4wdaJJSt_RW7Hii9YdiE9TDZd9jCsaKjwXSUQoqWfcLwx7ryInSiPh7Qt74bb2H8RMmNBMx6RA1NBC-NRqJuG0I0wDe1pFuPMyC3d-sDq6x4vkdBv01mBC6g/s1600/staiirs.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEvZNTfG7OJKhDj4wdaJJSt_RW7Hii9YdiE9TDZd9jCsaKjwXSUQoqWfcLwx7ryInSiPh7Qt74bb2H8RMmNBMx6RA1NBC-NRqJuG0I0wDe1pFuPMyC3d-sDq6x4vkdBv01mBC6g/s320/staiirs.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPxlFyj9seVR4Tqz86sVJR10s_6r17z_YDmAlWiRzr73XteoeJyT6M-z330d176Pyo_5gcPKmFHW3YFDwoS5QzJ7xZYGXL7T97-hfzdEGvhgihLnDxwBldcXRvZ7qCp0f_Qnwzg/s1600/couplecopy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPxlFyj9seVR4Tqz86sVJR10s_6r17z_YDmAlWiRzr73XteoeJyT6M-z330d176Pyo_5gcPKmFHW3YFDwoS5QzJ7xZYGXL7T97-hfzdEGvhgihLnDxwBldcXRvZ7qCp0f_Qnwzg/s320/couplecopy.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPHxU8qXLbN9W0nJtlFDWuph3A8ECiRq0oWZpLyj-25uiWbVUW82U1N5kIsxW0DXJU9yLQsJ73tn2Zjy0MtlnGxkihnPl3jC2urs7_o8HhWakK2oF8zhStKrPmJ1bfW3n6kk9Ng/s1600/shadows.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPHxU8qXLbN9W0nJtlFDWuph3A8ECiRq0oWZpLyj-25uiWbVUW82U1N5kIsxW0DXJU9yLQsJ73tn2Zjy0MtlnGxkihnPl3jC2urs7_o8HhWakK2oF8zhStKrPmJ1bfW3n6kk9Ng/s320/shadows.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6OMDlo9kdMjHvLcXH_RLoWfvauU-6pQc4MeHWZKJgl-sbeGVNU0gh-PBcQbh04AAHH1afN23frbJirsJ0MUZ9fX25KiFibLIiVjlvmtd41gSFW6xLptRNMicARxfc8FzOshHhQ/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6OMDlo9kdMjHvLcXH_RLoWfvauU-6pQc4MeHWZKJgl-sbeGVNU0gh-PBcQbh04AAHH1afN23frbJirsJ0MUZ9fX25KiFibLIiVjlvmtd41gSFW6xLptRNMicARxfc8FzOshHhQ/s320/sunset.jpg" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-33875873930597377272013-11-22T01:14:00.001+09:002013-11-22T01:14:59.223+09:00Rainy Day Kayaking in Tomioka, Amakusa<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ffds642U66Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-34461407416823654372013-08-01T23:36:00.001+09:002013-08-01T23:43:17.110+09:00Amaxa Outdoor Adventure Xathlon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB8-t_EEi_BRk2buiFvSWRim3FvtPrxw5mom-FOK95qgGiFjRImfEF22pxtYALKzM8Sz9w8yisb_nhTT2ysvwq6Kg4ZHR9I0rmrNSW3DIlkxaP7nOJch6v81aWTs5i1lGpTm0pw/s1600/rie_poster_cute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB8-t_EEi_BRk2buiFvSWRim3FvtPrxw5mom-FOK95qgGiFjRImfEF22pxtYALKzM8Sz9w8yisb_nhTT2ysvwq6Kg4ZHR9I0rmrNSW3DIlkxaP7nOJch6v81aWTs5i1lGpTm0pw/s320/rie_poster_cute.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3m2Wq-r84pcaCfaSCX0iGrJ8-5jR8oLhXD719TZtJQhcVEK2EIAIBM4MmoUmeHvZ4LcNgiDwKTLrkmHTODPwERRqjBubT9u0jvMPGihs-iASOFkdCykaBQ5I8rz4wY2JXyJeBcg/s1600/adventurerace_FINISH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3m2Wq-r84pcaCfaSCX0iGrJ8-5jR8oLhXD719TZtJQhcVEK2EIAIBM4MmoUmeHvZ4LcNgiDwKTLrkmHTODPwERRqjBubT9u0jvMPGihs-iASOFkdCykaBQ5I8rz4wY2JXyJeBcg/s400/adventurerace_FINISH.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlmdQUmqOzB_KBONenNKV1gf68Ev6wfO0JqpR36RanvWwrN_xSmLqDtl0w3kmHnE802FcIk56Mz3y1aXT1Iyjj1MsDjHU2LY7x7hghh9TgQ50EfhLnJ22gCgbtHhC7UuMrfG-Ug/s1600/%E3%82%A2%E3%83%89%E3%83%99%E3%83%B3%E3%83%81%E3%83%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlmdQUmqOzB_KBONenNKV1gf68Ev6wfO0JqpR36RanvWwrN_xSmLqDtl0w3kmHnE802FcIk56Mz3y1aXT1Iyjj1MsDjHU2LY7x7hghh9TgQ50EfhLnJ22gCgbtHhC7UuMrfG-Ug/s400/%E3%82%A2%E3%83%89%E3%83%99%E3%83%B3%E3%83%81%E3%83%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year`s race will be on August 24th. For more details check out the <a href="http://kuratakepara.info/adventure">website</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-7927534104637332572013-03-09T18:43:00.005+09:002013-03-09T18:51:20.948+09:00Delta2 Review<br /><iframe width="500" height="281" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/bflutyhQljI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
Hi, this is Rick, the pilot in the video. The popularity and great interest in the Delta 2 deserves a few comments about my flight and my impressions of this excellent new flying machine.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
Having just read the info section from the <a href="http://www.flyozone.com/paragliders/jp/products/gliders/delta-2/info/">Ozone homepage</a>, I have to agree on several points, especially the ease of control while flying this wing. Being exclusively used to only higher-aspect, EN-D wings, the Delta 2’s responsiveness to turn inputs was immediately obvious. This comes very useful in Japanese areas such as the one in the video (Zojiro in Miyazaki Prefecture, my favorite area in Kyushu), where we do much turning in small thermals very close to the mountain. It was extremely calming to feel the glider turn agilely at that moment we all know well: facing downwind into the hill with the slope closing in fast. The difference was so significant that it changed my top-out strategy and I began looking intrepidly for small, punchy ground thermals moving toward the ridgeline. I realized that glide and speed performance aside, due to its extra turning agility in this close-to-the-treetop scenario the Delta 2 was superior to any EN-D wing I’ve tried so far.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
The brakes were light to the touch, but with ample feedback for the first 30 cm or so, and usefully resistant to further pulling as if to remind the pilot that such aggressive yawing commands should only be made when desperately needed. The subtly responsive brake action reminded me of the LM4 which I test flew a while ago, but of course the Delta 2 had none of the high aspect characteristics of wanting to suddenly spin out if over-controlled. And though I flew the glider aggressively for most of the flight, I never did pull the toggles down to the level of the carabiners, which is something that I regularly do with my own gliders.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
The Ozone homepage also mentions that the Delta 2 does not have a tendency to shoot while launching. I was not able to verify this as I took off into very twitchy air and the glider did overshoot once just before I became airborne and then again a second or two later. Though the canopy is outside the frame, the aggressive control inputs that were required are clearly visible in the video. I am fairly sure both of these pitch oscillations were due to the lively ground thermals rolling up the sunlit mountain slopes and not inherent to the glider itself. In any case, having to control so aggressively during the first few seconds of flying a new wing might have made one feel nervous. But the glider responded splendidly and the accurate feedback coming back down the brake lines actually felt very reassuring.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
By the way, the massive collapse shown in the video was due to my own poor skill, over-controlling the glider while exiting a trial set of wingovers. The glider’s agility surprised me and somehow it and I both ended up deadpointed in the air at exactly 90 degrees of bank. No amount of control would have been effective as the wing freefell onto its right tip, so I made no input and just watched it happen. The next surprise was the ease and smoothness with which the collapse sorted itself out, again with virtually no input: from inside out, gently and predictably, without popping or any violent reaction, allowing the glider to return to straight and level flight without any residual pitching. I believe this is due to the unique layout of the leading edge battens as well as the shark-nose intakes, which seemed to allow more air to enter the wing during the high angle of attack phase of the recovery.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
Due to the unpredictable and unknown movements of the air we fly through, it is extremely difficult to estimate the speed, and especially the glide performance of any wing, and as a certified physicist I would really like to see the ‘scientific’ methods used in deriving some of the published (to 2 decimal places!) glide ratios out there. Bullocks, I say, unless you set up the whole rig in a giant wind tunnel. That said, the performance of the Delta 2 seemed pretty much on par with my slightly slow but ‘lifty’ 2-year-old EN-D wing. Speed bar performance was solid and the C-riser handles were very convenient as I am used to holding onto and controlling with the C’s anyway whenever I use the speed bar. Too bad the air was not turbulent enough to give a chance to test the action of the handles. In any case, given the extra stability and agility I felt with the Delta 2, I would swap my glider for it on any XC where rough air or scratching in weak lift was anticipated. Out-and-return or triangles may be the only cases where my own glider might be slightly superior.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
After 2 hours of soaring, having become more or less used to the wing, I took a deep breath and once again attempted some wingovers. The Delta 2’s agility meant the rhythm of the wingovers was significantly faster (and therefore more difficult to guide) than what I am used to, and within 2 swings I was already seeing the entire canopy well below the horizon. I proceeded to perform a set of the biggest wingovers I’ve ever done, and reviewing the video, I was excited to see my own shadow sweeping over the wing’s surface several times (I was too busy and/or startled to notice this in real-time). Due to the faster rhythm I tended to be late on the brake, resulting in a very high apex and the canopy just about deflating. Nevertheless, compensating with aggressive yawing just before the deadpoint getting the leading edge aligned nicely with the horizon, followed by brief, full-on braking on both sides at the moment I was swinging above the canopy, resulted in clean exits with not so much as a slightest collapse. What fun! Knowing better this time, I exited the maneuver with a brief spiral and horizontal turn, bleeding off the energy easily and smoothly. The Delta 2 made even my pathetic acro skills shine!<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
What can I say? I love this wing. Too bad I am dirt poor and can only afford hand-me-downs. The Delta 2 is so loveable, I can just about kiss any chances of grabbing a used one good-bye, even a couple years down the road. And since I fly about 350 hours a year in all kinds of places and weather, I wonder how long one would last in my hands anyway, with its extra skinny lines and snazzy lightweight fabric (holding the lines together at launch, it felt like a whole riser set was missing). I can only dream of being a idle rich bastard, ordering a fresh one about every 6 months. Alas, with my current lifestyle, such a thing will never happen. Maybe now that the Delta 2 is out people will upgrade and part with their beloved original? M-size, please?</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-87730450167493545042013-02-19T23:08:00.001+09:002013-02-19T23:08:09.485+09:00Manilla<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wAWHuORLgX0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-16966674432520488622013-01-26T22:50:00.001+09:002013-01-26T22:50:40.395+09:00Asagiri<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ge52sfVdB_c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
朝霧でやっと飛んだ。コンディシオンはちょっと渋かったが、富士山を眺めながら飛ぶことは最高でした。関東の友達に会ってきてとても楽しい週末でした。夜の食事会もたくさんのパイロットと話して楽しかった。 川地さん10周年おめでとう!
We finally flew at the famous Asagiri in Shizuoka Prefecture. Gazing at Mt.Fuji as we wove our way through the overwhelming number of paragliders was a daunting yet fantastic experience. After a full day of paragliding we enjoyed relaxing and chatting with other paragliders from around Japan. Congratulations to our paragliding teacher Kawachi on the tenth anniversary of his "paragliding brush up community".<div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-23468525648287320132012-09-14T23:25:00.003+09:002012-09-14T23:27:15.006+09:00Japan`s first EVER Adventure Race in Amakusa<iframe width="450" height="253" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Av15bolK9U0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-58183573661899739962012-07-21T22:49:00.001+09:002012-07-21T22:49:55.090+09:00Amakusa Outdoor Adventure Race<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjem9uIDpvd9PH2gnCnuhFgK7N_czC-P0rbSapeulRWN_Noape6LzyFYa8DltS5UI5uU95jeXvfOKXzY-XiE945zEonawz325KUfTfvigOGtxNFwFsDLIK8CafN3xFWkPxrJ87Cg/s1600/poster_mail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjem9uIDpvd9PH2gnCnuhFgK7N_czC-P0rbSapeulRWN_Noape6LzyFYa8DltS5UI5uU95jeXvfOKXzY-XiE945zEonawz325KUfTfvigOGtxNFwFsDLIK8CafN3xFWkPxrJ87Cg/s320/poster_mail.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-19042430059551696512012-04-12T00:39:00.002+09:002012-04-12T00:39:35.251+09:00Aso- Daikanbou<iframe width="350" height="208" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5_TbMzOC_-g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-46326235062632490252012-04-06T00:40:00.001+09:002012-04-06T01:04:33.754+09:00Spring had Sprung<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgakZZzFUP8NPKGtek0GcrNTbt6uo1c2BEItZULbrJQt89gC0vbrqZgWafdrCMATPfDdzitYYuSX085pUc2iaTsMUkdZFpwV5t7LxX14inhLJ0FX4jUASZghPiDgsBeaPL3DK7Q/s1600/sakura_bike_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgakZZzFUP8NPKGtek0GcrNTbt6uo1c2BEItZULbrJQt89gC0vbrqZgWafdrCMATPfDdzitYYuSX085pUc2iaTsMUkdZFpwV5t7LxX14inhLJ0FX4jUASZghPiDgsBeaPL3DK7Q/s320/sakura_bike_Web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwMw9qnXbQsSH0szb4PZAWakzuVipiKrVWaYAT-8UT0Bn3rYoVBlanACzl0ahsgRSRwWXlnvhFYWz_mmbjZ63w0CisDXmnzlNYAjpBbZXEg8gPUG5PHZ2CAQ27QhNja5r9kLXgA/s1600/yamazakura2_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwMw9qnXbQsSH0szb4PZAWakzuVipiKrVWaYAT-8UT0Bn3rYoVBlanACzl0ahsgRSRwWXlnvhFYWz_mmbjZ63w0CisDXmnzlNYAjpBbZXEg8gPUG5PHZ2CAQ27QhNja5r9kLXgA/s320/yamazakura2_Web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLl0IO5JtRIzPG-q_89Ef6XGA2PaEUOWXGMNJ9dJVEzEkmHL9RjWPYlNx-R4H0bnWkeZCi1ARUUfZKuMem7gn9KA4qXFDhurpj0bt6zYKYePaNbokPk6p9aENp9gLbs494vjeQQ/s1600/sakura_sea_leanne_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLl0IO5JtRIzPG-q_89Ef6XGA2PaEUOWXGMNJ9dJVEzEkmHL9RjWPYlNx-R4H0bnWkeZCi1ARUUfZKuMem7gn9KA4qXFDhurpj0bt6zYKYePaNbokPk6p9aENp9gLbs494vjeQQ/s320/sakura_sea_leanne_Web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtaQb9dPjOfgXmf_g2D6r6yuuScTyVWqERlzJKarAo8rfyodn2zGvqn9XA0Flqdd8XQorN1TuM0MkdNhkBk87Nv9uafFQtfiFJ5PU30nUvDB1ABktILWOUiFR3tYvHumn-J7pUw/s1600/ganbare_takahama_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtaQb9dPjOfgXmf_g2D6r6yuuScTyVWqERlzJKarAo8rfyodn2zGvqn9XA0Flqdd8XQorN1TuM0MkdNhkBk87Nv9uafFQtfiFJ5PU30nUvDB1ABktILWOUiFR3tYvHumn-J7pUw/s320/ganbare_takahama_Web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIKYIBWtzrPh-Rxdf8Xy1B1ddz8PAJLmVPiFxPzy_jN996fao_zkxV54Vypyrmmk9SAEVW8OAkP41o6sc_8GUgR49KRob-a4XLhb4iq0kjBPfcGwIRsgTJWw-42unWmbNKUx8eQ/s1600/boats_port_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIKYIBWtzrPh-Rxdf8Xy1B1ddz8PAJLmVPiFxPzy_jN996fao_zkxV54Vypyrmmk9SAEVW8OAkP41o6sc_8GUgR49KRob-a4XLhb4iq0kjBPfcGwIRsgTJWw-42unWmbNKUx8eQ/s320/boats_port_Web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<iframe width="350" height="208" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JvPlFDjXyU8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-87772210416701898132012-03-31T02:13:00.002+09:002012-03-31T02:13:46.354+09:00Kami Amakusa Paragliding Tour<iframe width="350" height="208" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2nMuUoYm4L4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-33010142012631862012-03-30T16:46:00.000+09:002012-03-30T16:46:10.404+09:00Strong Winds and Thermals in Yagoyama, Aso<iframe width="350" height="208" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y1-eYkf_TDE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
On Monday, March 26, 2012 we went paragliding at Yago yama in Aso. The weather was a little hazy with strong northwest wind. The strong thermal conditions in addition to the wind made for bumpy conditions during the day but a delightful flight in the evening.<div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-73519205423031972932012-03-24T00:37:00.002+09:002012-03-24T00:37:44.262+09:00Paragliding in Fukuoka at Kome no Yama<iframe width="350" height="208" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/muA9xm4WhJw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
http://9113.teacup.com/komenoyama/bbs<br />
パラグライダーやハングライダーやのスポットとしても有名な米の山は2012年3月20日春分の日珍しく平日に休みがあったのK川さんと一緒に飛びました。リックはお昼ごろから飛び始めて、夕方まで飛べました。we are going to miss flying with you Kさん!thanks for supporting us over the past couple of years.<div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-9560545992977394072012-03-01T14:35:00.000+09:002012-03-01T14:35:18.672+09:00Big Air Big Skies- XC to Ichifusa Mountain<iframe width="350" height="208" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SGzIKIXkXww" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
弱い北風を期待して、人吉の近くの白髪岳でパラに行こうと決まった。午後からコンディションはどんどんよくなって白髪岳の上高度2550mほどまで上がって夕方の西風に乗り20km以上はなれた市房山まで飛びました。市房で九州の脊梁でコンバージェンスがあって東側の空気は湿っていたから、雲の上を飛べました。素晴らしい景色を楽しんで日没まであわせて6時間飛びました。<br />
On Monday, February 27, 2012 expecting a weak north wind, we decided to go paragliding at Shiragadake near Hitoyoshi. As conditions gradually improved, Rik was able to soar up to 2550m over Mt.Shiragadake and fly over 20kms on the west wind to Mt.Ichifusa. There he entered a thermal convergence zone over the Kyushu Sekiryou Range and rose above the clouds caused by moist east wind blowing over the mountain. The flight continued until sunset and lasted over 6 hours. This was a record breaking flight for Rik as he broke his altitude, distance and duration records. <br />
hogmap.com/<a href="http://www.hogmap.com/FileNo.12142 ">FileNo.12142 <br />
</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-32765728814278618382012-02-28T22:58:00.000+09:002012-02-28T22:58:03.896+09:00Cold and Cloudy in Kirikabu<iframe width="350" height="208" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kWo2TA8Y2NI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
2012/2/26 大分県の玖珠町の伐株山で飛びました。<br />
倉岳と矢護山のビジターパラ10名、伐株クラブ員パラ4名、ハング2名の大勢で飛び出す。<br />
リックは万年山まで行って樹氷が最高に奇麗でした。<div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-56441002775971098902012-02-15T01:16:00.000+09:002012-02-15T01:16:30.229+09:00Zojiro 造次郎<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oDRp2FGviMQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-79147962597052263002012-02-03T01:42:00.002+09:002012-02-03T01:42:30.487+09:00Shiragadake<iframe width="350" height="267" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/65AlLryTTJ8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-91946466205965833742012-01-14T20:38:00.001+09:002012-01-14T20:41:54.564+09:00Leanne`s first big XC<iframe width="380" height="287" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3ZKkRfIiK1E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
Leanne takes to the skies in her first ever solo cross country paragliding flight. <br />
初めてTOから5キロ離れた龍ヶ岳まで行きました。<br />
FileNo.11899 http://www.hogmap.com/<div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-91480808173689910592011-12-18T23:17:00.000+09:002011-12-18T23:17:12.654+09:00First Snow on Aso- Paragliding from the Summit of Mt.Aso- Takadake<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aRF3_tqsVcI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-10963349516653943182011-12-07T21:51:00.003+09:002011-12-07T22:12:51.115+09:00Mino<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJV4bhBJqJmj8UiAWhgUn04OxtgNkgsp9NFQEgfTi8zRqTL9b9BIXiPoVaB5h2t8X73iTI1smSIMtGPdkwtf9c5kM8wQqMHvcyW4JJQ8_IulTMgeOflyMehg7tcwsg1vKdKKx8AQ/s1600/antenna_WEb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="290" width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJV4bhBJqJmj8UiAWhgUn04OxtgNkgsp9NFQEgfTi8zRqTL9b9BIXiPoVaB5h2t8X73iTI1smSIMtGPdkwtf9c5kM8wQqMHvcyW4JJQ8_IulTMgeOflyMehg7tcwsg1vKdKKx8AQ/s320/antenna_WEb.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Mino, an east-to-west oriented mountain ridge about 700m high and 20km long, located in southern Fukuoka Prefecture, is one of the premier paragliding areas of Kyushu. North of the range stretches the Chikugo Plain, down the middle of which winds its namesake river, the longest in Kyushu. In the winter season the sun warms the plain, and the prevailing northerly winds carry thermals toward the range, providing for first-class soaring conditions. Strong days are common, but when the winds are light, a perfect combination of thermal and ridge wind soaring can be found here. Today we hit one of those nearly perfect days, flying with the area's master flyer Motoyama-san (black glider). If you ever visit Kyushu with a paraglider, be sure to stop here.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f9oGGzxO81w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Kyushu Top Flyer MΩ`s blog: <a href="http://noglide-nolife.1616bbs.com/bbs/">http://noglide-nolife.1616bbs.com/bbs/</a><br />
Flying Mino HP: <a href="http://www.i-love-sky.com/mino/">http://www.i-love-sky.com/mino/</a><br />
Sky Cruise HP: <a href="http://skycruise.a.la9.jp/">http://skycruise.a.la9.jp/</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-85646173116541448622011-12-01T00:13:00.000+09:002011-12-01T00:13:25.810+09:00Paragliding in Yoshimatsu and Kabuto Iwa<iframe width="400" height="301" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Vv43jb6FF4Q" frameborder="0"> </iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe width="400" height="301" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lpbZrC_BHUg" frameborder="0"> </iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-41136293661662124552011-11-26T08:31:00.001+09:002011-11-26T08:31:16.333+09:00Fall in Kirikabu<iframe width="400" height="301" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/py31lYE-ZOA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10122826.post-53616466785656289452011-11-14T22:46:00.002+09:002011-11-23T01:02:55.334+09:00Jumping off Mountains 101 - Amakusa Area-X<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pCg2I_My4m0" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
from a distant summit we spied and geocoded a large patch of freshly-cut forest 'deep in the wilds' of the island where we live. one saturday morning before work, not really knowing what to expect, we bagged our gear and hiked up. the wind and air was not ideal: side wind, turbulence, cloud suck. while R caught a thermal for a 15-minute flight, conditions changed quickly and L experienced turbulence and cloud suck and struggled a bit to get down. we made quite a show for the local farmers who, as the case usually is, were pretty excited to see paragliders - for the first time in the flesh. we wonder how many times we can fly here before the takeoff is planted with trees.<br />
<br />
R+Lの初めての山飛びでした。天草下島の内陸にある山の伐採地から飛び出して、下の谷の田んぼに降りました。その日のコンディションはちょっと荒れていたが、地形が良くて、かなりいいエリアを発見した。しかし、伐採地に木を植えると飛べなくなるかな。高度差320m、LDまでのL/D5:1、TOは西北西向き。サーマルリフトはたっぷり。周りは400mほどの山地だらけ。下島のどこでもまでのクロカンが出来そう。<div class="blogger-post-footer">we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment!</div>Leanne and Rik Brezinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787821401179538894noreply@blogger.com0