Yesterday was a stunning day in the valley, so Martin & I decided to switch things up and do a fly and hike.  We drove up around 11:30 and sat on launch for a while, enjoying the January sun.  We both enjoyed a sunny flight then had a leisurely walk back up to retrieve my FJ, still in awe at this incredible weather we get to experience!

Gotta love your neighbourhood when you're driving to a meeting and you spy some paragliders dropping in from a morning hike and fly!  Peter, Claudia and Martin ignored the drizzly forecast and nabbed an early flight off Elk Mountain yesterday.

The first snow hit the ground in the valley last night.  While we only have a few flakes left sticking to the grass this morning, it was enough to make me look forward to snowy hike and fly adventures, like this one at Mount Woodside about 5 years ago...

Kevin made this great little video of our impromptu hike and fly off Elk Mountain earlier this fall.  The hike up is now covered in snow in the higher elevations…time to get your winter climbing gear out!

Another shot from Friday's hike and fly.  At this point, all struggles of the hike are long forgotten.

One reason I chose to move out to the Valley from The Big City was to take advantage of living close to the mountains and to be able to catch last minute flights.  Yesterday was a perfect example!  Kevin (another local) called me up and convinced me to go for a hike and fly up Elk Mountain.  We timed it perfectly, after the strong outflow winds of the morning and before the next weather system moved in.  After an hour and a half of hiking, we arrived up top to light winds.  Soon we were gliding back into the valley with huge smiles, landing softly beside our vehicles.

A question I get asked a lot is, "What is your favourite flying spot?"  It's impossible to pick just one, as there are so many wonderful spots that I've been lucky enough to paraglide at all over the world.  One of my favourite experiences though is in Lienz, Austria.  You meet early at the landing zone, then drive up and hike in to a mountain hut to eat breakfast and watch the sun rise over the Dolomites.  Then you launch in the still morning air to glide across the valley and watch the town wake up below your feet. After landing back at your car, you are ready to start your 'normal' flying day...

We will be doing a few hike & fly trips up Mt Cheam this summer, and so some pictures from trips past will be making appearances!  Here's the view looking back to Spoon Lake (trail head/parking is off to the right, you can see the road zig-zagging up), still lots of hiking to get up to launch from this point but it's a nice spot to look around and catch your breath.

Another "oldie" (2008?).  Monica & I about to start the 2+ hour hike up from the parking lot.  There is usually snow until late July (confirmed by some hikers last week) so lots of time for everyone to train for this gorgeous hike and fly!  

This is me launching in 2002 (?) from Upper Launch at Bridal Falls.  I think this should be our next hike & fly destination…what do you think?