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Wallberg to Walchsee Paragliding

Alastair BegleyAustria, Bavaria, Paragliding Short Link

A milestone in my recovery was always going to be my first flight, something which I wanted to make sure I waited long enough to be confident that it was not too soon. However after the hike the previous weekend, I was now sure that I was ready, and with a good forecast I decided to head to Wallberg with the plan of flying east. As per usual I arrived early as this meant the train was quieter and that there would be no time stress. I enjoyed my time parawaiting at launch and watching all the people learning to fly launch while I waited for the day to switch on. As soon as there were people climbing out I got myself ready and launched. As soon as I pulled the wing up everything felt natural and like riding a bike. The feeling of back in the sky and climbing in thermals was really special, especially here where the views are immediately so wonderful. The day was however not as good as forecast and there were a few inversion layers, after multiple attempts of bouncing off one at just below. Read the full article…

Tegernsee to Schliersee

Alastair BegleyBavaria, Walking Short Link

While the previous few outings into the mountains had been enjoyable, they were not proper walks by any stretch of the imagination. However as they had been so successful, combined with some other longer flat walks around Munich, I was keen to step up the recovery and head out on something with some proper ascent and distance. The obvious choice for this step up was the classic walk between Tegernsee and Schliersee, something I’ve somehow avoided doing in my 6 years living in Munich. We decided on the Prinzenweg version of the route so that it also included the Gindelalmschied summit and a bit more time above the tree line. As it was a sunny Saturday in August we decided to head out early so that we could guarantee a seat on the train in both directions and also so that we would be done before the main heat of the day. I should note that while I haven’t done Tegernsee to Schliersee, I have walked all of the route until the start of the ascent as part of the Baumgartenschneid circuit. The walk from the station to the start. Read the full article…

Blomberg

Alastair BegleyBavaria, Walking Short Link

After the success a few days earlier on Taubenstein, I was keen to do a bit more, but still definitely taking it easy. James and I planned todo something together, so it was both of our first time back in the mountains after our respective accidents. Our plan was actually to head to the Herzogstandbahn and then make the short walk up to the summit, however due to a packed train we changed our plans in Kochel as the first two busses were full and it looked like the third would be as well. So instead of fighting our way onto the third bus, we took a bus in the opposite direction to Blomberg. Getting onto the chairlift was relatively smooth as they slowed it right down, and put a flag on the lift so that it would also be slowed down at the top. While the walk from the top of the chairlift to the summit of Zweisel is not that exciting, it was again nice to be in the mountains and to have a better stretch of the legs and the body when compared to a few days. Read the full article…

Taubenstein after my accident

Alastair BegleyBavaria, Walking Short Link

My team at work had their annual Wandertag around the time I was planning on getting out and doing a bit more after my accident, so I decided to join them for the summit and the lunch stop as it was possible to get a Seilbahn almost all of the way to the summit. Meeting my team ended up working perfectly despite me arriving an hour later than planned. While the walk from the Bergstation to the summit was short, it was really great to be back out in the fresh mountain air, with wonderful views – even if it was cloudy. My pelvis coped admirably with the ascent, and subsequent descent. We enjoyed a drink and some lunch at the hut below the Bergstation, before they headed down and I headed back to the Bergstation to take the Seilbahn back down.

208km Free Triangle from Fiesch

Alastair BegleyParagliding, Switzerland Short Link

Having had a wonderful weekend flying in Chamonix, on the last day amazing conditions were forecast in the Walliser Alpen, so we all headed to Fiesch where I planned on flying a 200km triangle and the others were going to fly back to Chamonix. Little did I know that this flight would end abruptly and result in 2 weeks in hospital… We left Chamonix early in the morning, but thankfully after the local bakery had opened which enabled us to enjoy breakfast and a coffee on the drive. We made great time to the lift up to Riederalp, however it turns out that we weren’t the only teams to identify the conditions and there was a long queue for the lift. Eventually we were at the start place and ready to launch, into what looked like great conditions for the time of day. We were able to climb straight out from launch and then connect with the ridge. The first section from Riederalp to Fiesch wasn’t the quickest flying, but it was quick enough for the morning. Above Fiesch Alex and I rejoined in the air and enjoyed a wonderful. Read the full article…

Chamonix to the Aravis

Alastair BegleyFrance, Paragliding Short Link

The next day had much of the same plan, but this time we were a group of three. The day started much later, but was a much better day, at least at the start with a higher base. This enabled a quick flight to the Aravis once we finally launched and made the first slow climb up onto the Aiguille Rouges. When I launched I was not that sure how I would be in the air, as after three nights of too little sleep in a row, and definitely too much wine while Alex and I were waiting up for Kirby to arrive from the USA. Thankfully after I launched I quickly worked out my stomach was feeling great and thought it would be a wonderful flight. Unfortunately as we passed Passy we had a miscommunication about waiting before the crossing vs going, which meant that again I was separated from the others. Initially I flew fast down the Aravis but unfortunately ended up low on the lee side towards where I turned around the day before. Despite working hard and almost getting myself out of the poor situation a. Read the full article…

100km Free Triangle from Chamonix and the Aravis

Alastair BegleyFrance, Paragliding Short Link

On our first morning in Chamonix we were planning on hiking up the north side of the valley to Planpraz as the lift was shut and it didn’t look like there was any availability on the lift to the Plan du Midi. While we were eating breakfast in Chamonix the motivation for the walk after some wine the previous night (and Alex’s hike the previous day) was low. We decided to head to the lift where it turned out we could in fact take the lift to the Plan du Midi, the only downside being that we had to make the long glide over the valley to the south facing slops which meant waiting until the day was definitely on. After getting to the Plan du Midi we enjoyed another coffee before heading to launch and wanting for the day to really get going. This ended up being a longer wait than expected as glider after glider was just bombing out, or fighting for a long time on the other side. Eventually we decided to go for it, and by the time we launched it was actually possible to climb. Read the full article…

My first flight from Fiesch

Alastair BegleyParagliding, Switzerland Short Link

Flying from Fiesch has somehow eluded me for the past few years, but this season it was definitely high up on my list of requirements. This weekend I developed a plan, which would enable me two days of flying at Fiesch and two days flying and meeting a friend in Chamonix. After work I set off towards Fiesch, however stopped at a hotel en route, unfortunately I had a terrible nights sleep in the hotel and I woke the next morning feeling pretty rough. I made the short drive to Fiesch and headed up to Riederalp as the Fiescheralp cable car was in revision. The forecast for the first day was the worse xc forecast for the weekend, so I wasn’t really expecting much, my main objective was to enjoy the sights. Shortly after I took off I realised that I had managed to leave my InReach on take off, which was an expensive mistake as I still haven’t got it back! From take off I climbed well and was quickly heading along the ridge and above the Eggishorn with the view that I had been lusting after. Unfortunately by. Read the full article…