Jumping off a mountain
Trip Start
Aug 27, 2010
1
16
Trip End
Sep 18, 2010
Aspen, Colorado
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
So the next morning we were up and out with the guys. Fortunately our pilots are very experienced paragliders ranging from 15 years to 17 years flying experience. Sonja had to zip the camera under her jacket for the initial part of the fight, until it was safe to take out and take a few shots. So after setting the parachutes up, and getting dressed, we were ready and waiting for the wind. It was rather a quiet day re- wind. Fortunately a little breeze just blew right for Sonja and another tandem flight to launch. The run down wasn’t very scary actually, we were so busy thinking ‘Just keep running, just keep running’ and suddenly the chute takes you and you’re up and away.
Because it was already later morning (about 9:30) the ground was warming up, and this meant warm thermals which enabled us to go for a longer and bumpier glide. The view is awesome, and it is scary! The pilots also took us through a serious G-force spin, where Sonja almost passed out.
Steven and his pilot launched only after Sonja and her pilot landed. The wind was not great, and even though there were about 10 hopeful gliders, Steven and his pilot were the last to launch that day. Steven took some nice photos of the views, Sonja was a bit scared so didn’t really check the photos she took, so most of them were out of focus :-(
The landing for Sonja was not as gracious and athletic as Steven’s, since she just sat down as soon as her feet touched the ground. Steven made a good entrance, running through, and staying upright – looking like he’s done it many times before. Unfortunately both of us experienced motion sickness from the bumpy ride. Steven blames the heavy Mexican meal from the night before, and that he was already at a disadvantage before we started. We decided that we should go home and sleep off the sick feeling, since nothing else would really take it away.
That evening we spent with Ronny, Charity and Sophia at home.
Comments
Wow! Wow! Wow guys!!! Looks awesome!!! Son looks WAY to little to be doing something that crazy! Whoop! Whoop! Go the Brinks!! :) x