"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." ~Saint Augustine
You don't have to leave the country to be a jet setter, but it sure is fun!
Being a member of the jet set brings to mind flying off on whirlwind adventures. One modern definition refers to the "jet set" as those who travel in privately-owned aircraft - sounds like paragliding! While seeing the world with a paraglider on your back (or checked in on an airplane) is easy & fun, flying locally can be a trip in itself.
For some travel inspiration take a look at some of the places I've been in recent years, followed by tips for traveling with your gear. More photos can be found on my Flikr page here.
For some travel inspiration take a look at some of the places I've been in recent years, followed by tips for traveling with your gear. More photos can be found on my Flikr page here.
Travel Tips for Paragliding
-Stick a picture of a paraglider in the window of your glider bag & carry one in your wallet. This helps a lot when explaining to the check-in staff or customs officers what on earth is in that huge bag of yours.
-If you're carrying your radio, vario, etc in your carry-on luggage, make sure everything's charged. They will most likely ask you to turn on your instruments after seeing them on the X-ray to show that they're not triggers for some explosive device. I personally either wrap my flight deck inside my folded wing or place it in my checked bag.
-Check the weight restrictions before leaving! I bought a handheld travel scale to weigh my glider & luggage before getting to the airport which has helped me save on excess baggage fees.
-Don't forget to keep medications in your harness or day pack when traveling. Leaving them in your hotel room won't help if that new dish you had at lunch tries to reject itself from your body when you're sitting at launch!
-If you're carrying your radio, vario, etc in your carry-on luggage, make sure everything's charged. They will most likely ask you to turn on your instruments after seeing them on the X-ray to show that they're not triggers for some explosive device. I personally either wrap my flight deck inside my folded wing or place it in my checked bag.
-Check the weight restrictions before leaving! I bought a handheld travel scale to weigh my glider & luggage before getting to the airport which has helped me save on excess baggage fees.
-Don't forget to keep medications in your harness or day pack when traveling. Leaving them in your hotel room won't help if that new dish you had at lunch tries to reject itself from your body when you're sitting at launch!
The ever-growing list of sites I've flown:
Canada
Fraser Valley BC: Mt Woodside, Bridal Falls, Mt Cheam, Mt St Benedict, Hemlock, Elk Mt
Vancouver BC: Grouse Mt, Cypress Mt
Pemberton BC: Mackenzie
Golden BC
Revelstoke BC Mt. MacKenzie
Bella Coola BC (Hagensborg, The Rainbows)
Okanagan Valley BC: Lumby (Coopers, Saddle), Vernon Mt, Mara Lake
USA
Washington: Blanchard, Chelan, Tiger Mt, Black Mt
Oregon: Lakeview, Woodrat
California: San Diego (Torrey Pines), Lake Court/Sand City
Utah: Point of the Mountain
Arizona: South Mountain
Nevada: Goodsprings
Mexico
Baja: La Salinas, Colonet
Mainland: Valle de Bravo (El Pinon, La Torre), Malinalco, Tisca, Tapalpa, San Marcos
South America
Brazil: Governador Valedares
Ecuador: Canoa, Crucita, Pichincha, Yahuaracocha, Chota, Imbaburra
Japan
Nata Beach, Komenoyama
Europe
Austria: Westendorf, Kollneg, Zettersfeld, Hochstein, Greifenburg, Wildschoenau, Andelsbuch
Switzerland: Fiesch, Interlaken
France: Annecy, St. Hilaire, Laragne
Slovenia: Tolmin, Stol, Lijak
Germany: Kampenwand, Neuschwannstein Castle, Tegernsee
Fraser Valley BC: Mt Woodside, Bridal Falls, Mt Cheam, Mt St Benedict, Hemlock, Elk Mt
Vancouver BC: Grouse Mt, Cypress Mt
Pemberton BC: Mackenzie
Golden BC
Revelstoke BC Mt. MacKenzie
Bella Coola BC (Hagensborg, The Rainbows)
Okanagan Valley BC: Lumby (Coopers, Saddle), Vernon Mt, Mara Lake
USA
Washington: Blanchard, Chelan, Tiger Mt, Black Mt
Oregon: Lakeview, Woodrat
California: San Diego (Torrey Pines), Lake Court/Sand City
Utah: Point of the Mountain
Arizona: South Mountain
Nevada: Goodsprings
Mexico
Baja: La Salinas, Colonet
Mainland: Valle de Bravo (El Pinon, La Torre), Malinalco, Tisca, Tapalpa, San Marcos
South America
Brazil: Governador Valedares
Ecuador: Canoa, Crucita, Pichincha, Yahuaracocha, Chota, Imbaburra
Japan
Nata Beach, Komenoyama
Europe
Austria: Westendorf, Kollneg, Zettersfeld, Hochstein, Greifenburg, Wildschoenau, Andelsbuch
Switzerland: Fiesch, Interlaken
France: Annecy, St. Hilaire, Laragne
Slovenia: Tolmin, Stol, Lijak
Germany: Kampenwand, Neuschwannstein Castle, Tegernsee
