Sunday, August 23, 2009

More Video from Switzerland

Sorry for the lack of posts, but we were too busy flying out butts off! Here is another video of a flight from First, over the town of Grindelwald. This site was great! Lots of space to layout and take off and good thermals with predictable triggers. Heres the video - be sure to hit the HD button so you can see it in HD.



I'll be posting some photos later this week and maybe another video or two.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Sunday Flying - Grindelwald & First


Today we flew off the backside of Mannlichen, an extended sled ride to the LZ in Grund. From there we took a quick train ride to Grindelwald and a short hike (uphill, as always) to the bahn to First.

First rocks! South facing, lots of room, nice grass launch and thermal triggers everywhere. We all had good flights and got very high. The goal was to get really high and jump over the back and land in Interlaken. The strong west wind made the difficult. Jeff and I had no chance and landed back at Grund. Rob was skyking and got plenty high but took pity on us and landed at Grund too.

We hung out at the bar on the bahnhoff a bit too long ("just one more beer") and missed the last train over the top of Mannlichen so we hand to take the long route - 2 hrs home. Another great day and the Joungfrou region is the place to be for paragliding.


Sunday, August 16, 2009

Saturday - Flying!

Had some great flying today. We started the day off at the top of Mannlichen and flew from their down the valley toward Murren.

Here's a video with some of the flight from my helmet cam:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyeGADRadpo

We landed at the Stechelberg Bahn that takes you up to the village of Murren. For our second flight, we took the bahn to Murren and launched above the town. Here's Cuv enjoying a post flight beer while checking his crackberry.

Here's the village of Wengen as seen from the valley floor.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Friday - Wengen


We made it to Wengen and its even more beautiful that advertised. Quiet village, set half way up the Mannlichen. The only way here is via cog-wheel rail train and there are no cars in the village except for a few electric service vehicles.

From here we can take the bahn to the top of Mannlichen, and either fly down the back to Grund to get to First or take the lift down the back. The train leaves from here and continues up the mountain to Kliene Schiedegg, where you can then take another train up the the Jungfraujoch. More to come.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Switzerland Here We Come!


Not really sure the Swiss are prepared for Team MCDN but we will land in Zurich on Friday. A quick 3 hr train ride down to Interlaken and then take the cog up to the village of Wengen, our base for 10 days.

Got the reserves repacked, radios charged & all the gear is ready. Now if I could just find my PSP and the charger for the video camera, I'll be all set. Keep an eye out here, as I'm gonna try to blog daily, but if the flying is good that might not happen.