Preparing For Takeoff by photosynthesis
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Description
I went paragliding for the first time today. This is a shot my wife took as we were preparing to take off from a local mountain top. I'm the one directly to the right of the figure in the foreground & the experienced pilot I was flying with, Michael, is to his left.
The flight was great - a very special & exhilarating experience, but the takeoff was kind of sketchy. The wind was blowing fairly strongly up there & Michael wasn't sure if we were going to be able to take off, but after waiting a while & assessing the situation, he decided it was safe. He asked two of the other guys in this photo to hold the wing while we attached ourselves. What was supposed to happen was that we were supposed to both run forward straight off the mountain, but the wind was strong enough to rip the wing out of their hands & we didn't even get a chance to start running - the wing shot us up & to the left & we just barely cleared a rocky ledge. All that happened within the space of a few seconds & then we were rising safely up. We soared for about 42 minutes & rose to an altitude of a little over 5,000 feet (the mountain top sits at 3,700 feet). Spectacular view of the Applegate Valley (where I live) from up there. We had a video camera going the whole time & Michael will post the video on his website in a few days - I'll provide a link to it if it turns out decently & anyone's interested.
We descended into a field that belongs to a local winery. Like the takeoff, the landing was a little unorthodox. Michael had told me that we should both be running when we land, but because of the wind conditions, we came down almost directly vertically rather than on a horizontal glide path & as my feet hit the ground, my knees buckled & I tumbled to the ground, pulling Michael down after me. Fortunately, neither of us were hurt at all. All's well that ends well, as they say. It was a great experience, though likely a once in a lifetime one for me...
Comments (15)
Brycer3d
Balloon journey ! I have taken of someday and I think it will be the last time very scared just for 3 hours in Dubai .... Nice shot !
johndoop
i think a great experience!! Nice picture!!!!
voyaguer
What an amazing journey you had that day. You live in a beautiful valley, such a view in this shot, your wife did great with the camera. Can you see the general area that you landed from this valley view. Hope the video works hope it has sound. Congrats on the jump.
GARAGELAND
You are a far braver man than I. Theres no way you would get me up in on of those things. Lifes too short at my age to start having adventures like this, although I did go scuba diving for the first time last week, which for my standards was rather heroic of me. I hope you were able to do some arial shots.
alanwilliams
love those blue hills
ronmolina
What an experience and great shot!
jayfar
An excellent shot and what a wonderful experience.
Runswild
I live near bye in Talent and have watched many paragliders from Hwy 238. Have always wanted to go up to the top to get some photos of guys running off the mountain. Glad you had a safe flight.
Faemike55
this event is on my list to do. Sounds like you had a great time glad you're safe
Hendesse
ow ... it requires a lot of courage, I think. The view is fantastic.
Cyve
Fantastic capture !
MrsRatbag
Something I've always wanted to try in theory, but will never do. I'm glad it was good for you, and I'll look forward to the video--I'll bet it was spectacular up there! Did you take a camera along yourself?
photosynthesis
MrsRatbag & GARAGELAND: No, I didn't take a camera & get any aerial views because I was holding the video camera (on a pole that extended a few feet from my body). If I did this again (which is highly unlikely), I would probably take my camera instead. voyaguer: The area we landed in is right around that green square to the right of Michael's hand.
UVDan
Congratulations! I often want to try this.
danapommet
What a wonderful experience and especially over where you live. Outstanding!!!!!