Travel memories - Paragliding at age 65 ... in the Alps!
The most beautiful memories of travel are often unforeseen events.
So, during a trip with friends, Marie-Christine and Denis in Valmorel, France, I experienced one of those moments that made me live an experience I had always dreamed of: making a bird flight above the trees between the mountains.
Marie-Christine and Denis, Parisians, are lovers of outdoor and mountain sports. From La Charmette, there is a breathtaking view of Valmorel and the surrounding mountains. In summer, you can see the paragliders slipping near the mountains to land at the bottom of the valley.
One morning we went to see them land. Denis asks me:
- Would you like a descent?
- Why not? I replied.
After a few exchanges with one of the paragliders who had just landed, he said to me:
- You can go with them, he is the chief instructor, you'll go down in tandem.
Time to take a deep breath, I was sitting in the box of the pickup truck to reach the starting top. I redid the course of 1 000 m of unevenness that we had done the day before hiking.
In a short time, I was hung in tandem with a paraglider, a few instructions for departure and arrival, and here we are floating over the mountains with the Mont-Blanc as a backdrop.
Hands free but armed with my camera, I strafed the landscape that unfolded before my eyes.
Unforgettable moments that the photos allow me to relive.
sixty-five? unbelievable ! awesome ! :D
Oh my oh MY! Paragliding?!? I've always dreamed of doing this. When I opened your article I didn't expect the gorgeous ariel photos would be from paragliding. Amazing. This has beem on my bucket list. Your post must be a sign. Merci beaucoup Monsieur Grandpere. 😊
Thanks!
You're very welcome
Incredible pictures my friend. I hope that I can do the same someday. I admire what you do :)
Lovely memories...thumbs up
You are a brave man, I hope I can grow a pair and do the same :) thanks for the inspiration. :)
What a wonderful experience. Those views are amazing. I'm not sure I would be so brave, so I am happy to see it while on land :)
Looks fantastic but also scary :D Is also on my lifetime to-do list =)
it's not scary at all - you just need to do the first step and then run-run-run
Those pictures are amazing! The hills, towns, and mountains are definitely a sight to see. I can imagine how nervous you were, I would be the same way lol. Thanks for sharing the great time :)
When do you start your own paragliding journey? I mean are you going to learn how to do this yourself?
I did it once, in tandem without course. He told me: at the start ... Run ... then at landing, run
I know and I can imagine because I'm paraglider
Thank you for the post!
Thank you, friend, for sharing this beautiful dream!
This is something I have always desired to do as well. Perhaps I shall try on or around my next birthday! You've encouraged me!
😄😇😄
