Paragliding from Mont Blanc 1

Squash

A friend of mine wanted to fly her paraglider from the top of Mont Blanc.

This mountain known to the French as La Dame Blanche tends to be rather taken for granted as it is right in the heart of comfortable, civilised europe.
This is very far from the truth. Most ( 2 thirds of all expert mountaineers ) fail in the attempt. The greatest dangers are technical difficulty, mountain sickness, avalanches and stone fall, crevasses and seracs, weather conditions and the shear bloody distance you have to climb.
If you want to fly a paraglider from the sumit you have to carry it there and this means a considerable and debilitating extra burden.

You also have to have the right wind direction and strength. It may take you 2 or 3 days to get to the top and advanced weather forecasting for the winds at 5000 meters just does not exist you must rely on your own expertise, experience and judgement.

If you accept this challenge knowingly and determine to meet it by training, grit and humility then you are a very special person and may have an outside chance of success.
Squash is such a person. Her purpose was not simple ego but to raise funds for a charity and give a very special motivational boost to a friend.

Two companies supported her
Ozone paragliders donated an ultra light weight paraglider the Ozone Ultralight to fly off the top
and
Pidcock motorcycles of Longeaton who provided a BMW GSF 650 to get her out to Annecy

Read on 

Tandem coaching

This is a review by Richard Garener who stayed with us recently Annecy bed and breakfast

Classroom: Lake Annecy and surroundings
Date: 14th April, 2009
Course: Intro. to X-C and thermalling 101
Instructor/pilot: Irwyn Jehu (M. X-C with Hons.)
Pupil: Richard Gardner (Novice = Yes!)
Glider: Gradient Bi- Golden (Tandem)
Site/launch: Plan Fait, Lake Annecy
Landing: SIV landing field, Bout du Lac
Syllabus: Climbing out, touching base, transition glides, low saves, route plans, sources of lift, swearing in welsh, keeping warm, in-flight banter, etc.
[Note: There's a sequence of photos to accompany the narrative at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30865836@N06/ I'll try and post a tracklog if I can work out how...]

Paragliding today

To you guys comming over soon

Spring is here. The A Comp taking place here this weekend has clocked up thousands of K. A mate of mine failed to make goal in time yesterday and got 95K . He flew on to goal but in over 5 hours.
Not sure yet how they got on today.

Today Gareth and I had a gentlemanly bumble around the Grand Tour.  Huge strong smooth thermals from low down with cores of over 6.5M/S carrying us swiftly to base.
It did OD but the restitution has switched on now. Yesterday there were pilots big earing down after 7.30

Forecast is for a week disturbance mid week returning to good conditions by the weekend. If you don’t fly this week do try and get some ground handling in.

Gareth leading across Annecy today

All the best

Irwyn

Snow has fallen snow on snow

Been a great weekend. Snowed most of the week and stopped for Friday So Steve Charlot and I had a walk up through the forest trails to the top of the Sambuy ski station followed by a great powder run home.

more powder

what crowds

The top of la Tournette peeking through

Chunky and Steve pause for a rest on the way down

Saturday the lifts opened at Espace Diamont so we had to ski all day

Sunday started late after a great evening so it was out in time for lunch followed by a few runs.

Ski Rando

Well it finally stopped snowing sometime Saturday night.  Sunday morning was bright and clear with half a meter of fresh powder beckoning.

Of course avalanche conditions were near their worst so we chose a forest route up to a pleasantly sloping Alpine pasture.

The start was from the car park at the Sambuy ski station above Faverge a short drive from the house.  From here one simply follows the signed track which winds it’s way up through the forest.  When you reach the pasture the farm can be seen sitting high in the center of the cwm.

The sun was warm and we enjoyed a pleasant lunch before our exhilarating return down the fluffy slopes.

Chunky sniffs the air anxious to get going down

The view homeward

Lazy traces home

Next time

Summary

Pleasant enough week.  Exercised the dog a lot.  Fought and won a battle with Orange and Livebox on Tuesday?. Done quite a bit of DIY. Played a bit with French admin and the Mairie – always good to pass the time.

Thursday was brilliant and clear but very stable – Paraglided down from Plan Fait.

Friday went Ski Rando up Sullens. Beautiful route, wonderful powder snow and back to the restaurant in time for an omlette

La Clusaz ski domain opens this weekend so I suppose I’ll have to pay a visit. 

The sun is coming up

Off to La Saisies first for a bit of Rando and to get my low rate season pass

Big question – Do I take the paraglider?  It’s a hard life.

As it turned out we just had time for a gentle walk.

Adrian stroles along

Then it was home to some Bloke cooking – big pot, bottle of wine, warmth ……..

Had a nice day

Ski Touring – Ski Rando

Snow was forecast for Friday onwards so Joan and I want to our appartement in the hills.  I spent 4 days laying the first traces on the North slopes of the Bargy.  No car just straight out of the door and back, shower, munch – heaven in deep deep powder.

The dog loved it too.

This is one walk – up to Lac Benit – one of my favourite places;

This was the view out in the morning

looking out in the morning

 

I sorted the kit – dressed up and set off

view from the garden

 

Mont Saxonnex is a small French village ski domain with a lot of mountain to explore.

The ski area

 I set off following the deserted pistes and forest trails.

Winter sunshine

 

Silence

Chunky the faithfull hound leads the way through the forest

Chunky leads out

 and we lunch at the lake

The Top table

 

Under the ‘Eyes of the Bargy’

The Eyes of the Bargy

Looking back

Lac Benit

Chunky and I head home

The route home

 All in all a great day out.

Pas de Roc to Monument Plateau de Glieres

This shot shows the spectacular route up the cliff face 

The route

 

 

Here is a Google earth shot of the route It is clearly waymarked from start to finish. About an hour to the top of the falls followed by another hour and a half over the plateau to the monument car park.

 

The Gallery gives an idea of this unusual path and the variey of mountain terrain which is covered.

 

The route

Pointe d’Arcalod 2217 m.

From my bedroom window I have clear view in the morning of the imposing sumit ridge of this the heighest Mountain in the Bauges.  As well as it’s greater height it differs from many of the mountains in the region as one must use ones hands to reach the top. The scrambling though simple is probably more than my dog could manage and it might be wise to take a walking rope so as to assure children. Probably most useful on the descent.

Twas a beautiful autumn morning and we left the car park at the Sythanex ski station above Faverge at 8 am.

The marked path to the Col des Orgeval indicated 2 1/2 hours and we did this without much trouble in 2.  One passes by way of a farm which affords shelter and cheese in the summer. From here we could see sleepy Marlens waking up

Next the path enters the cwm and climbs the low ridge beyond where it splits for Choriand on the left and the descent to the col on the right ( Sign Posted).  On the descent one has a clear view of the scrambling to come.

 

Scrabling up always seems far less tiring than walking.  One quickly gains height.  The views and interest constantly improve and all too sudenly you arive at the top.  The descent as always proved more tiring.

We were at the top before noon and had not hurried.  We did pause 2 or 3 times on our way up.

The panorama is excellent. 360 degrees of spectacular alpine sumits and vales.

 

                                                               

 

From the top I learned that the sumit visible from my bedroom is false being a meter or two lower but further forward so Adrian and I descided that next time we’d take the North Ridge route as is being followed by two climbers in the picture below.

 

 

All in all a great day out.

 

Annecy paragliding weather briefing

Checked out my website and tue enough great weather today.  Checked out of the window and bugger it’s Autumn.  At this time of year ‘le grand beau temps’ often translates into a sea of low cloud. The Annecy valley is particularly prone  to this because of the warmth and humidity provided by the lake.

But follow the links to Le Saisies and La Clusaz and you find brilliant sunshine.  The La Clusaz webcam clearly shows the top of the sea of cloud below the village.

Mark and I had planned to try a delicate XC from Le Saisies and an early start.  I have woken with a bit of a thick head (Talisker) so we’ll take the 4×4 up the Cret de Loup at la Clusaz at lunchtime and try a flight along the Aravis  Whatever happens it looks like being a great day.

The afternoon should clear in the Annecy valley so the acro dudes can strut their stuff and we should all end up with tales to tell this evening.

Salut,

Annecy paragliding weather

Hi There,
Another boring day in paradise. Weather is perfect so everyone is going out to play. Quite stable though. Remember the sun block.

Might be the last good day for a while.

Kat at La Clusaz yesterday morning

Cheerio

Annecy paragliding weather briefing

High cloud this morning is forecast to thicken and turn to rain by late afternoon.

So get your socks on and whizz off to Marlens without delay.

Then start farting your skis. Snow is likely to fall down to 700 meters. Remember Plan Fait is 950.

Fingers crossed for a great weekend of chill Northerlies and thermaling over fresh snow.

Yesterday morning looking South East from the Aravis

TTFN

Annecy paragliding weather briefing

Sorry no paragliding weather for the next few days.

Snowing above 1200 and dropping so we’re all going snow shoeing.  Will probably have a feast in one of the refuge huts Thursday night and either fly or tobogan down on Friday.

Window Cam

A picture is worth a thousand words

This is sunrise from my bedroom window.  We’re all going out to play

Window Cam

A picture is worth a thousand words. View from my bedroom this afternoon

Back after 2 days up the mountain playing in the snow.  Check it out

Annecy paragliding weather briefing

Light SE winds. 50% sunshine. Must be flyable somewhere

Morning from my window and Morning from Les Saisies

Annecy_morning

Les_Saisies

 

 

The choise is yours….. Stay at home?  Go Fly?

Annecy paragliding weather briefing

Helo world it’s a brand new day.

Moderate S wind (possibly rising through the day).  50% sunshine.

So a brisk walk up Entrevernes and a fly off to be followed by a bike ride around La Tounette.

Window Cam

Dawn  -  The sun comes up over the Mountains of the Bauges

 

 

Mt Charbon

Mt Sambuy

Window Cam

Looking West over my neighbours roof to the Roc des Boeufs and Entrevernes take off

 

les-roc-des-boeufs

No wind in the valley – light SE aloft – sunshine for the afternoon.

Window Cam

The sun is a shining to welcome the day

 

Through the square window towards Forclaz

 

Time to go fly.

Annecy paragliding weather briefing

Weather in this valley is very particular and never more so than in an Autumnal southerly.  All the forecasts gave a strong southerly wind and stuborn stability.

The Window Cam denied this and by lunchtime a light valley wind had set up.  So up to launch -

Launch offers a welcome

 

Light wind up the front and signs of thermal activity over at les Dents du Lanfon.  So go fly.  There’s a little lift for half an hour or so then a beautifull fly home -

 

 

Launch offers a welcome

Nice new carpet

All mine

Home sweet home

Great Weekend

 

Friday Morning

 

Friday dawned clear and I had to pick up Lynda from Geneva.  We were back in time for a flight at Plan Fait.  Lynda managed 40 odd minutes in the light thermals and I came down after an hour and a half of light delicate thermalling.  A good start and it looked even better for Saturday. 

 

 

 

Light breeze on launch

 

 Saturday’s plans were to begin with a walk up to the Entrevernes take off just to sample the morning air.  It was brilliant – a light breeze on the slope to help us off.  Lynda flew around chasing the lift and landed at the Doussard landing field.  I cruised the ridge for a while and landed to collect the car.

 

Things just kept getting better.  We went back to the house for a quick lunch, picked up Kat and Mark and headed for Plan Fait.  The sun was high and pilots were climbing to the Dent de Lanfon.  We joined them flew a while then landed in time for a late afternoon flight home from Montmin.  Three beautiful flights and time now to prepare the bonfire, fireworks and BBQ.  Enjoy the Gallery and you’ll get an idea of how it all went.  Sunday proved different but equally special so I’m doing a separate Post.

 

Friday Morning

Saturday evening

the walk up

Light breeze on launch

Paragliding from Mont Blanc REFLECTIONS

Softy

Rock hard

One thing above all made this project possible from conception to conclusion – my climbing companion. Should you attempt a similar escapade you’ll quickly discover just how vital your companion is.

 

Paragliding stuff

WING If Paragliding wings were boats my  OZONE Peak  would be an arctic trawler. It might not win any races but it’s about as unsinkable as they come. We had a down wind glide in some amazingly rough air and it saw me through.  For those thinking of performance it has done a 100 K XC thermal flight.

Harness Supair Everest Neat and light – I had it modified by Ripair to suit my body length better. Now I love it

 Sack Kortel sack/airbag – Absolutely brilliant. Its well made, fantastic design for mountain use very comfortable to carry - big enough for my kit on the way up, stows all my kit on the way down, doesn’t impead the launch and gives excellect protection.

 

Mountain stuff

I love it all – collectively it’s my teddy bear, my security blanket – The Jetboil stove given me by Matt Pepper is a top favourite. I can scoop snow and make tea in the morning using one gloved hand. On the other hand I’m a bit too sentimental about my axe it’s heavy and short but when I found myself whistling down hard water ice with the prospect of stopping us both I new the head would stay on and the pick would bight.

Heady stuff

Great moutaineers know when to turn back – Great paraglider pilots know when not to fly.  Kit these days is so good in either sport it wont let you down.  Yes there are and always will be ‘objective dangers’  but most accidents are due to climber/pilot error.  On our second training climb in the dark, at altitude, in fresh snow with no tracks we wandered off route. Roped and moving together we slipped. Yes we stopped ourselves but in previous falls I have stuck my axe in my belly and  have locked my legs together with a crampon in my calf. This time we were lucky. The first time I climbed Mont Blanc I saw 2 chaps fall to their death.  This time one chap died on the day we flew down. Gather experience, Get the best kit, Get super fit, Get acclimatised and always remember that in the lifetime of a man the Mountain waits.

The joy of climbing a mountain like Mont Blanc and then flying down to land by the car with your companion cannot be explained.  If you take all the very best, most wonderfull things that happen in your life this is way way up there but you can’t share it. It’s so unique it’s a secret known to very few.

Paragliding from Mont Blanc KIT LIST

- 25°C 4300 metres

+ 25°C 2300 metres

As far as kit is concerned little has changed in the 38 years since I first climbed Mont Blanc. You need the best, rugged all weather, high mountain kit you can get.  If you can get the same performance from lighter weight then go for it. Remember light weight kit does not reduces the need to be at top form.

This is what I had but didn’t take the bivi stuff **when we went to the summit 

	Kit List for Mont Blanc
Stuff	From	weight
Wing	Ozone Peak	4830
Harness	Supair Everest	524
Sac : airbag	Kortel sak	1045
Reserve	Supair ultralight M		**
Sleeping bag	McKinlay Army 11	2625	**
Bivi Bag	Gortex	558	**
Matress	Thermarest	376	**
Stove	Jetboil	433	**
Butane/propane mix	220 net	370	**
Pots and pans		394
Head torch	Frendo Long beam bulb inc 2 LED settings + spare batteries	131
GPS	MLR	259
Tee shirt	Decathlon Base	236
Layer 2	decathlon long sleeve	243
Layer 3	North Face Summit Series Jacket	614
Down Jacket	Helly Hensen	1210
Gloves	Technique Extrem over mit
	Daschstine Woolen Mit
	Decathlon under glove	356
Balaclava	HH Fleece	108
Over Trousers	Decathlon	617
Trousers		600
Helmet	Decathlon cycle	240
Rope and assorted crabs glacier kit	20M 9mm  Crabs prussics etc	1000
Axe and Lightweight alloy crampons		1410
Boots	Korflach	2730
First aid kit	bits in a bag	212
Energy food	Decathlon range gells glucoze etc	400
Food	Pasta cake tea bags mars bars	1000
Water	1 ltr fresh and 1.5 ltr energy drink	2100
	Total weight	20259
	Weight of rucsack	14426	SUMMIT

Oh yes and toilet paper and a candle

If you want to know how it all performed have a look at Reflections