With new gear and technologies combining paragliding and mountaineering opens gates of new adventures. It allows us to approach mountain climbing with a fresh perspective. This is what we call paragliding-mountaineering combos. This new era is rising since a decade, from the Alps to the Himalaya's many new adventurers are big fans, even amongst the 8000er climbers !.
Paragliding and mountaineering are two activities that combine perfectly in the quest for summits. After a technical ascent, flying down from the summit (or from a suitable launch point on the descent route) is a fantastic way to finish a climb.
Not only does it reduce the risk associated with a glacial traverse, but it's also a fun and enjoyable way to return to the valley.
So are you ready to climb and fly??
For complex and technical climbs, the ratio is 1:1.
For more classic climbs, the ratio can be 1/2. This could involve two independent pilots or one independent pilot plus one non-experienced pilot who will descend in a tandem paraglider.
We can go up to 1/3 for basic climbs and experienced climbers
-> Mont Blanc normal route doesn't fit in this course !
° You are a pilot and mountaineer, and you aspire to a climb, but you're not sure if the combination is feasible, or you feel you have limitations in terms of analysis or skills. Email me to discuss your climbing and paragliding project, and we'll see together what's possible.
° You are a pilot and mountaineer, but you're not quite sure what would be achievable for you. Again, send me an email with your credentials, and I'll help you consider several possibilities.
° You're a mountaineer but not a pilot, yet the idea appeals to you. I can offer you a tandem paragliding descent after a climb. Tell me about your mountaineering experience and we'll see which mountain we'd like to focus on.
With many years of such adventures in the mountains and paragliding, I offer to accompany you in such projects and share my experience.
It's important to keep in mind that combining two technical elements requires a great deal of humility and a safety margin. A paragliding descent should be considered a bonus, not a given.
Therefore, you must be prepared to perform a standard gliding descent.
Your guide will determine whether or not a gliding descent is possible.
1- email me and share your ideas and your experience in both activities ( flying/climbing)
2- We discuss about feasibility and strategies - if you have no ideas i can suggest some good ones !
3- we run the combo
