Author: X-Pyr

The first trip to Pyrenees we did in April, during Easters. The plan was to see and explore as much terrain as possible within 4 days. The conditions weren’t ideal with strong winds in the region, but it would be naive to expect anything better for the competition. It was a very productive trip, and we came back with several conclusions:

• Pyrenees do feel more remote than the Alps, GSM coverage is more often an issue, barely any hikers
• many paths exist only on the map, or don’t really match
• roads are actually really good here
• in the south can be HOT and I can hardly imagine what is it in July, also water is scarce
• the airspaces are going to cause some major pain
• the way wind works in some of the places is just mind blowing
• where are all the paragliders, HELLO?! I was flying alone the whole time.

Now we’re in Pyrenees again, but this time exploring the beginning of the route and it is quite different here… More soon!

With five more weeks until the X-Pyr I am grasping and gasping for air.  Not just air time, which has been hard to come by in a stable Southern California spell, but actual air.  Over 5,000m above my favorite place to fly, the Owens Valley. My teammate Honza Rejmanek and I packed our gear for a 3 day Vol Biv, starting from Walts Point to do an out and back. Landing as high as we can often just after peak heating in strong conditions.

I’m here not just because I absolutely love this stuff but a layer deeper in the intention of mental and skills training for the Pyrenees.  When I asked a past X-Pyr competitor for his advice, all he had was “It’s the only place I have thrown my reserve.” I replied “Perfect, sounds like a great adventure.” 

The Owens is notorious for the massive rotor and wave created off of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Honza has been here before to study wave and early in that first day we can already feel the West wind coming in.  A roller coaster of flushing and climbing and just after three hours of flying this intense huge landscape we finally find ourselves both established above the crest and pushing a strong headwind.  At risk of losing it all once again and possibly landing 3,000m lower in the valley we decide to cross the crest of the Sierra, deeper into the wilderness.  Landing above the trees with the frozen lakes.

We hike across the basin to find a camp but there is still light, with endless energy, our legs need to move.  Back to the crest we trudge, the altitude slows our words until they stop completely.  Trying not to sweat too much, it’s getting cold below freezing, and going to get colder.  

Our tents are made below, we only brought the basics for what we hoped would be a quick soaring session.  X-Pyr on my mind as we set up for our last flight.  We fly, we laugh, we land as the sun disappears.  Steaks over the fire for dinner, need that protein, this is only day one.  Tomorrow more training, starting with a steep hike to steep snowy couloir, our only launch option.  These X-Pyr skills coupled with many months of training are the best we can hope for from the other side of the globe. 

It all started with a drive down to Wales for the Dragon H&F 21st -22nd May that was when I was to leave home on this epic adventure of H&F. The forecast in Wales was less than favorable with wind at the top end but Alistair Andrews had positive views and the race was to go ahead with a 60km task touring the Black mountains. The morning was still and cloudy as we set out on foot Gettimg to TP1 still very early a team of 3 John westal, James Whitmore and I decided to continue on foot and run to the Llangorse ridge making a valley crossing on foot needless ro say a bad idea as Greg Chilton took off 15 minutes later and floated gently across to take over us and away out of sight.
Getting in the air from the ridge was easy with sin now hitting the ground a small hope to the Dragon back and away to Hey Bluff car park where we had to land, a quick pack and off to the top of Hey Bluff meeting up with a few Daniel starsmore and Greg Hamilton who tried his hand at kiting/taking off half way up on a strong cross on wind, I continued up to the top and slitly round the back to where I might get airborne. The wind now very strong but with a cobra launch I was off, getting battered by the turbulent wind down to the priority at the back of the Pandy ridge. As I tag the priority TP I was treat to a thermal/convergence from the south valley wind and the west wind filling in the valley to go straight up to a comfortable height to cross west to the next valley and save my legs the trouble. Thinking it was now time to land with the winds get ever stronger and I knew I had done well I landed on a gentle Lee slope to head to the next TP unfortunately Suger Loaf and massive pinnacle of a hill was in the way and with no other option to go straight up and over, I said to myself this was going to be the 2nd last hike of the day and I would finish in 1 day. I meet my supporter Dan Horeman on the other side of Suger Loaf to top up with water and away again to walk down, around and up Magic Mountain to take the final glide to goal where I was told that I’d managed to claw my way back from 12th to 2nd and relax watching the others making goal.
The Dragon H&F is a most awesome event and we’ll supported from the Helm by Alistair Andrews and his many helps and sponsors AirDesign, Cross Country Mag, Stodeus solar paragliding instruments. I’ll be back next year for more of the same, cheer Ali.

Next it was to head to Annecy France for the Bornes to fly 27th – 29th May.
I made Annecy a couple of days before the race, the excitement was in me from the moment i arrived. I met up with some new & old friends James who was helping throughout the race and much more, we flew the valley to get settled in and prepare
The morning of the race was upon us, sorting trackers and we were off for a lap around the carpark! Haha
Up to Forclaz, montmin to Tag the first TP and away. The day was still very still and lots of pilots cross the lake for the east faces of Roc des Boeufs but I thought it was only a matter of time that this side would work, it look to me that my friend Dan Starmore had the same idea and he was maintaining so I followed but struggling getting nothing more than 100ft higher than the end of the ridge I decided I had to move to the hard of the valley an to TP 2. Arriving low I really had to concentrate to stay in the air I could feel a little something where a ridge started and some power lines crossed into a low bowl just 50ft over the lines I searched about gaining 10ft here 20ft there gradually gaining the height I needed and meeting up with the leaders who had gone tye long way round. Now in good shape it was full speed ahead TP 3 was just across a narrow valley but we had to continue around the ridge to keep out of a nature reserve the cloud base was to low to cross it. Glancing from rock face to ridge topping up with hight as I needed to cross  towards Dent d’Arclusaz next a great big valley crossing to TP 4 Montendry. This is were my lack of vision messed it up after crossing from high peak and only just making it I couldn’t see how I was to make it back across to the next TP back the other side of the valley and I ended up landing and watching many others cross, what was I thinking in not even trying to cross! Lesson learnt. After meeting up with my supporter James and his son JJ I walked up to takeoff Montlambert but missing my path and trying to walk through woods I wasted precious time an got to takeoff to flyback down to the village I was at 2 hours ago. 2nd lesson leant.
Finishing the day no foot with JJ to Albertville than getting rescued by James.

Day 2 we need to get back in the air!
0700h start and we were off me on foot and JJ on his bike, the lads got real enjoy and it helped me each time he joined me, picking a takeoff at the head of Albertville it was a waiting game the cloud when I got there was lower than takeoff. 2 hours later 1230h I was airborne needing to hop over the mountain behind me but the cloud was still to low (sometimes you have to take the long way round) taking height on a south face I then scratching the north faces with north wind making my way round to look back over the mountain where id come from. Roche Parstire was next where I got shouted at by Vic, Dan Starmore’s wife were he had taken off half hour before, the hunt was on and he was in my sights. With the day working and Dan paving the way I followed quick and catching up under the same cloud we then parted ways my line more direct and to a ridge with clouds above Mont Joly south of Passy the next TP leaving at nearly 10,000ft and pushing into a North wind I made Passy with help from Tete Noire and the valley winds that brake off from it. A lovely Passy looked good with clouds above the giant rice faces, I was sure to find some lift. Half hour later I was back scrapping the clouds and south to Megeve with a glider under me doing the same, I’d got it in my head that I wanted to get back on the high ridge I’d left before Passy and this is where I leant another lesson (sometimes it good to stay with the gaggle)
The valley winds were working the faces but instead of turning right a went left before Megeve and got flushed to then have to slope land down wind in sinking air. I know what was I thinking! Quick pack up and off for a 40 minute walk to the ridge I was looking at, then back in the air to Tag Megeve and what I thought might be Dan crossing under me to fly south. Its wasn’t Dan he had leapfrogged me crossed the valley, flew thought the col at the Aravis to tag the rest of the TP’s and make it to goal! Amazing flying!
Bit here I was looking at the gap over the col and thinking it might be a little to much to try so landed I did to finish day 2 walking/running over the col and ready for day 3.  Phenomenal day of H&F!
Day 3 Let’s finish this
With a little walk up to L Etale and find a place to takeoff and fly across to Sulens, easy right? The great think about H&F is that you make it up as you go along, I had a steep enough slope, just enough space to lay my glider out, trees to the right of me, cables to the left, with little trees at the bottom, O did I mention the little back wind at times, well I was on a west face at 0800. With James holding my wing I set off like a train accordingly my wing picking up and flying between to branches but over the trees I went letting out a shout and on a morning glide of peace. Now looking at a couple of spots to land, one very ambitious and one safe option guess which one I picked. Haha taking no turns, heading straight for the hill infront I made it with 30ft over the trees and landed straight into the hill. You can do that in the Alpine mountains but not back home.
Sulens was the final TP this would be the time to practice patience while walking up the steep north face I watched as clouds started to appear and arriving at the top and doing my interview? (I never thought I was famous)
The glider was out the bag and ready, well I didn’t have to wait to long as a lad took off made it to cloud and away, there’s was no point in waiting. I soon joined the clouds and away towards the mammoth east rock faces of La Tournette and getting just enough height to cross the col and glide to goal.
Bornes to fly has been an great experience where again I have leant so much. Thanks to the many people that make these events come together and work so well.

Next the X-Pyr….. well a few days to recce the course. 

1st Greg Chilton 

2nd Me 

3rd Stephen Ashley 

Me flying off Mont Joly at 10,000ft on the way to Passy, Mont Blanc in the backbackground 

Bornes to Fly 2022 was probably the most EXCITING race I’ve done so far. Insane pace and great flying skills are already a standard in our sport as it becomes more and more professional. But this year’s route kept ranking mixing up constantly with no clear leaders and no one ‘safe’ even for a moment.

I don’t remember another such tight race, and in moments it felt more like a XC comp – with someone always on your back. Bad timing or worse decision and 20 people fly over your head. For some reasons there also weren’t many other wings around, so it felt almost like we booked the place… quite magical.

Once again, the organizers proved that even if you live in the region there is still so much more to explore. We’ve done some transitions I’d never consider in ‘normal’ circumstances. Some tricky, some plain stupid, but even in rough spots I felt in control and that’s a huge progress. In fact, having only 2 minor accidents in this intimidating terrain and windy conditions just prove the level of the pilots and their experience.

Big thanks to the organizers. I wish all the competitions were organized as well as Bornes To Fly As for how those result translate to X-Pyr  is to be seen. It’s a very different kind of a race focused rather on endurance and persistence.

Of course, I wouldn’t get anywhere without my amazing supporter – Camyla, who drove hundreds of km, cooked, controlled conditions and competitiors and was always within minutes of my landing. Big thanks to Dagmara, Marcin and Pawel for support on the way and finally thanks to everyone sending messages, it means a lot even if I don’t always reply – sorry, I’ll catch up – and to PHI-Air Polska Compressport i Suunto for equipment!

Short video below:

Last week, together with Jordi Vilalta and his assistants (the Cantenys brothers), we went to recognize a part of the route. We were in Accous, a well-known take-off in the western Pyrenees, which will be the second waypoint of this year’s X-PYR. We tried to cross to the south side of the border but after an hour of flying the ceiling did not go above 1700m. In the end I jumped down the valley, very leafy and with few landings, the northerly breeze strengthened and the airspaces made it even more difficult.

I ended up flying through the Canfranc valley at 80km/h getting as far away as I could to land safely. We are going to suffer during the race!!!

We had enough and went to Saint Lary to get a closer look at Waypoint 5, the 2878m Midi de Bigorre.
The day looked good, and early in the morning we climbed up to 2400m, but in the area of the waypoint the clouds were overcast and we decided to turn back to what will be the next waypoint, the Corronco.

We crossed Val Louron and Luchon with good conditions but the ceiling did not go above 2500m so we went to the Aran Valley and from there we crossed to the south side at its lowest point, the Port de Vielha, at 2500m. It got very saturated, it was already raining in the National Park dAigüestortes, so I landed at the south mouth of the Vielha tunnel. After 10′ it was already hailing.
After these days we saw that the French part will be the most technical and difficult area to fly, so we will have to walk a lot. Also the management of the airspace will complicate it. It will be interesting to see the different options and routes of the pilots.

Hello,

Here is my first blog post.

Hola, Bonjour, G’day from Arbas. I arrived in Bilbao a week ago, after
spending 26 hours on planes and in airports. My first job was trying to
drive a manual vehicle on the other side of the road with very little
sleep. I’d say this has been the most challenging task of the trip so far.
I had to get from the airport to the hotel with no mobile reception. After
driving around in circles, and being beeped at by a few cars and trucks, I
finally made it and checked in and had a few tasks to tick off before I
could leave Bilbao. The most important job was finding a Movistar sim card.
Little did I know there was a shortage and I would spend a full day walking
from store to store. Good training, I guess. The rest of the time in Bilbao
was spent buying food supplies and camping gear.

After spending three nights in Bilbao it was time to do some route
research. My plan was fluid,; I would go from turnpoint to turnpoint
following the good weather. The first stop was La Rhune. Unfortunately,
launch was covered with clouds and I couldn’t see anything. I took a photo
of the white-out and spent the rest of the day driving to Accous. What a
beautiful site! I was lucky enough to run into Benjamin Lacoste, a local
instructor who offered some advice on flying to the next turn point. That
same evening I met team Catalina (Jordi Vilalta & Albert Cantenys). They
were traveling with the Spanish paragliding legend Xevi Bonet and Albert’s
brother Marc. They took me under their wing, so to speak, and we did some
training together. Xevi flew a very impressive line south of Accous and
showed us what was possible on a challenging day with wind and low base.
After camping up high for two nights, in my new pop-up tent, I moved on and
drove into Spain and spotted the third turnpoint of Pena Montanesa – a
mammoth chocolate cake mountain. I hope I don’t have to walk up that one. I
was struck by how different the Southern, Spanish side of the Pyrenees is
from the north. The Northern Pyrenees is fluorescent green from all the
rain, with low base and humidity while the south side of the main divide is
brown and, dry with higher bases.

After an evening staying at a campground near Peña Montañesa, I drove back
into France and hiked up and flew St Lary Soulan. A local tandem pilot
warned me of landing in the valley. After testing out his theory, I can
attest that this is indeed not a wise idea. I landed backward in horribly
turbulent conditions,; lesson learned. My new Skywalk X-Alps 5 behaved
itself well, staying open despite the strong, rough air. I learned today
that being low in some (maybe most) of the valleys after 1230 is to be
avoided at all costs. The better option is to soar a windward ridge and
land up high. Understanding the valley systems in the Pyrenees is a very
challenging proposition for someone living in a predominantly flat country.

After my backward landing, I packed my wing with my tail between my legs
and drove to Arbas, the fourth turnpoint. Arbas is a small town with
friendly people. The terrain reminds me most of flying in the Australian
alpine region, and the free camping with cheap beer means it will be a very
difficult place to leave.

Where to now? Watch this space.

A big thanks to those friends, family, and supporters who have kindly
donated to the Team Australia Gofundme campaign. If you wish to support us,
you can find out more info here – gofund.me/684e5ff9

What an incredible 3 days of weather and a thoughtful task for Bornes to Fly. I’m now the second woman ever to have finished Bornes to Fly, and some lines I would not have flown without this competition.

The first day began with a competitive hike to Montmin launch which led to a fast paced flight where I landed in the middle of the widest valley. While that put me in a tough position, I made my way to Mont Lambert for an evening launch where our support car sported a flat tire.
Jesse, my supporter, called in reinforcements of Kiwis, and Ross, who helped support while Jesse fixed the
tire the next morning. This lead to Ross and I taking on day two together hiking, and Jesse providing car, food, and tent support later in the day.

Day two resulted in a grueling 6 hours of hiking, with 1800m vertical. Ross with cramps and I with blisters, we made it up the north side of La Roche Pourrie. We launched a steep mountainside just as the clouds began to rise.
That was the beginning of a beautiful 65km flight to tag 2 turn points and just miss the third flying, but with a short hike I tagged it and was on my way.
On the final day I made some great decisions that lead me to finish. I launched at 10am on an east face of Les Aravis to fly to the next turn point which required me to land, launch with a back wind, and fly above the peaks of La Tournette to the finish line.

All in all I learned what I needed to improve my game for the XPyr and reinforced my strengths. Jesse and Ross were fantastic supporters and our team vibes were at a high. Bring it on.

Good morning,
we are going to inaugurate this blog where we are going to tell you what is going to happen from now until the end of the race on July 3rd.

In the months leading up to the competition, I have changed my training and daily life routines to adapt to the rhythms that the race will require.

This week I have been able to enjoy a great landscape in one of my climbs to the Tajo Algarín in El Gastor during my training at home.

I usually go running quite early in the morning and, for this reason, I am able to enjoy these views and the peace and quiet of nature just waking up.

There are 25 days left until the beginning of this great adventure and the excitement and nerves are equal parts.

We are still immersed in the preparation of all the details and with great enthusiasm for the adventure that is about to begin.

See you in the next blog 🌍

Corpas Team