#235 A Record is Crushed in Norway with Arne Kristian Boiesen

On June 10, 2023 Arne Kristian Boiesen, a veteran paraglider from Norway stepped off one of his local sites outside of Oslo hoping to go pretty big. 9.5 hours later he’d flown his Niviuk Peak 6 343 km from launch, a remarkable 90 km farther than anyone ever had in Norway, flying nearly due north across epic terrain, landing just south of Trondheim. The record stands today. Kristian discusses the details of his flight, including the conditions, challenges, and the beautiful landscapes of Norway. He shares insights about the paragliding community in Norway, the seasonal patterns affecting flying conditions, and his aspirations for future record flights. The conversation highlights the unique aspects of flying in Norway, including navigating airspace, terrain challenges, future possible lines, and the camaraderie among pilots. We delve into the world of paragliding in Norway, discuss the rise of hike and fly adventures, the impact of weather patterns on flying conditions, and the best locations for flying. They also touch on competitive flying, record chasing, and the differences between flying communities in Norway and Sweden. The conversation highlights the challenges and excitement of long-distance flying and the importance of seizing good weather days for optimal flying experiences.

Check out his tracklog on XContest here

Read an article about the flight (it’s in Norwegian, but google translate does a pretty good job)

Short film below from the record day.

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Takeaways

  • Arne Kristian holds a record for a long-distance flight in Norway.
  • The flight took place on June 10, 2023, and still stands.
  • Local hills near Oslo provide good soaring opportunities.
  • Flying conditions in Norway can vary greatly by season.
  • The community of paragliders in Norway is around 2,500 registered pilots.
  • Record flights often require careful planning and favorable weather.
  • Towing techniques are used for training and record attempts.
  • The terrain in Norway offers both challenges and beautiful landscapes.
  • Flying in Norway can involve navigating complex airspace.
  • Future projects may include exploring northern Norway for new flying opportunities. Hike and fly is becoming increasingly popular in Norway.
  • Weather patterns significantly affect flying conditions, especially between fronts.
  • Voss and Voggo are among the best locations for paragliding in Norway.
  • Competitive flying events can be thrilling and rewarding.
  • Chasing records in paragliding requires patience and readiness for good weather days.
  • Airspace regulations can pose challenges, particularly around Oslo.
  • The flying community in Norway is vibrant and supportive.
  • Long-distance flying requires strategic planning and understanding of weather.
  • Comparing flying experiences in Norway and Sweden reveals unique challenges and opportunities.
  • Future aspirations include exploring new flying locations and improving competitive events.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Arne Kristian and His Record Flight

05:37 Navigating Airspace and Terrain Challenges

11:58 Record-Breaking Flight Details

18:04 Future Aspirations and Potential Record Flights

24:05 Towing and Flying Techniques in Norway

30:23 Exploring Hike and Fly Adventures

36:20 The Thrill of Competitive Flying

42:14 Comparing Flying Communities: Norway vs. Sweden

#234 A lifetime in the clouds with Chuck Smith

Free flight tends to attract some rather big personalities to its crutches. And among its most interesting and passionate devotees is American pilot and pioneer Chuck Smith. Chuck learned back east on the dunes in the US with his brother in the late 80’s under the tutelage of climbing legend John Bouchard. From there the search for airtime and the love of the flying community brought him all over the world. The people he’s impacted or been impacted by is an impressive rolodex of the history of flying- the Yates brothers, Greg Smith, Richard Gallon, Dixon White, Granger Banks, the Dominico Brothers, Bob Schick, Todd Bibler, Michael Gaudoo, Phillipe Renudua, Peter Zimmerli, Bob England, Jimmy Grossman, Lee Kiaser, Joe Gluzinski, Greg Kelly, Ken Bair, the Amy brothers, Scott Gressit, Chris Blachley, the Furgeson brothers, Josh Cohn, Zach Housington, Mark Shipman, Pierre Bouilloux, Xavier Remond, Bruce Goldsmith, John Pendry, Uli Weismeier, Chris Santacroce, John Heiney, Larry Tudor, Bill Belcourt, Dick Jackson and many, many more. Chuck was the first US National Champion; represented the US in the Worlds in Kossen; remembers watching Mitch McAleer loop into the clouds in Japan at the world cup where goal was in the center of a BIG city; has used his feet and wing to access plenty of wild terrain across South America, Africa, Europe, and the Himalayas and has the stories you would imagine that go along with it all. Tuck in, you’re in for a treat. Happy Holidays everyone!

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#233 A Monster day in the Owens with Gordon Boettger

A little over a year ago I interviewed Gordon Boettger after his record-breaking 3000+ km wave flight in the Sierras flying an Arcus jet-equipped glider with night vision goggles (NVG’s), a flight that lasted 17 hours and started at 0230 in the morning. Four months later Gordon and his co-pilot Bruce Campbell beat their own record again, this time flying 18.5 hours and getting beyond 3100 km. And he says they are just getting started. What he’s doing is way, way, way out there and is blowing minds in the sailplane community. And it has been blowing mine.

A week ago I got the call I’d been hoping for. Gordon rang up and wanted to know what I was doing in 6 days. My response was “don’t worry about it, I’ll be there!” He watches the forecasts and upper level models like a hawk and was seeing a solid window for strong wave setting up. It wouldn’t be a record-breaking day as heavy moisture would be on the back side of the storm and shut us down, but Gordon thought we’d be able to get at least 1,000 km of wave flying in, and we’d be able to launch at night with the NVG’s. “Tell me when to be there and what to bring!”

Gordon picked me up in Reno on Sunday afternoon, we had a lovely dinner with his wife Melissa and were at the hanger in Minden just after midnight. He fired up the jet engine just after 0300 and in the black of night we launched into one of the craziest adventures I’ve ever had. I brought all my audio gear to try to capture how it all went down, from the rock and roll rotor getting up into the wave, to flying with NVG’s, a ridiculous sunrise, getting the beat-down in a waterfall at one point, and then flying in the home stretch where we hit 256 knot ground speed (nearly 300 miles per hour) and were still climbing at nearly 10m/s. In the end we flew almost 1200km in 7.5 hours, reached just under 24,500′ (holy cold!), the winds at the peaks were over 85 mph…it was ridiculous. It was Jaws triple overhead wave surfing in the sky. Come along for the ride, it was pretty wild.

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Audio Show note segments:

  1. Description of the weather
  2. Arriving at the Hangar
  3. Talking to the Oakland Tower (pre-flight clearance)
  4. Suiting up/ Night vision goggles
  5. Getting on parachute, buckle in, jet engine
  6. Headsets, spoilers, checklists
  7. Jet engine start, begin taxi
  8. Liftoff!
  9. Hitting the Wave
  10. Engine off, into the wave…
  11. Mountain Wave, winds aloft
  12. Passing 13K, 60 knot headwinds
  13. Boosting! Passing 19K
  14. 24K and heading downwind, 130 knot ground speed
  15. 0500 80 miles N of Minden
  16. Susanville, 24K, Sunrise
  17. Learning Lake Tahoe, down to 16K, ROUGH
  18. Ripping, Pretty loud in the cockpit, 150 KTS Ground speed
  19. 24K, very loud
  20. Seriously rough, waterfall, rotor, hold on!
  21. 210 knots ground speed
  22. 255 knots ground speed!
  23. Final descent, big fire, landing
  24. Sporty landing

#232 An Impossible Story of Survival with Ben Lewis

This is one of the craziest flying and remarkable survival stories you’ll ever hear. In this conversation, Canadian pilot and doctor Ben Lewis recounts his harrowing experience during a major cloudsuck incident while paragliding in Bir, India. He shares his background as a pilot, the intimidating nature of mountain flying, and the factors that are contributing to the carnage occurring this season in the Himalayas. Ben details the day of his incident while attempting to beat his personal best, describing the weather conditions; his decision-making process; and then the total loss of control as his flight instrument recorded a vertical ascent of 23 M/S in a hail storm that took him to over 7300 meters (over 24,000′)! Shortly before passing out from the negative G forces and exhausted from trying to control his wing Ben resigned himself to death. But fate had other plans for Ben. Eventually the cloud spit him out and Ben plummeted unconscious to the ground at 15-18 meters per second. He didn’t regain consciousness until he found himself hanging from a tree only a meter from the ground, alive but mostly blind and severely injured. After the dramatic cascade Ben details the challenges of self-rescue, the many mistakes of the day, and the emotional toll of the experience. Ben reflects on the lessons learned about risk management in adventure sports and the importance of community support during a crisis. His story serves as a cautionary tale for fellow adventurers, emphasizing the need for preparedness and awareness in the face of nature’s unpredictability. Buckle up, this one will blow your mind.

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Takeaways

Ben Lewis has been flying since 2009 and is a family doctor in the Yukon, Canada.
The CloudSuck incident was part of a larger pattern of accidents in the area.
Many pilots, including experienced ones, were caught off guard by sudden weather changes.
Ben felt a false sense of security flying under seemingly benign clouds.
The day of the incident, Ben aimed to break his personal distance record.
Communication with fellow pilots was limited during the flight.
Ben experienced extreme turbulence and loss of control in the clouds.
He passed out at high altitude due to negative G-forces.
The injuries sustained were a result of both the flight and the landing.
Ben’s experience highlights the importance of weather awareness and decision-making in paragliding. Ben was incredibly lucky to survive the fall.
His injuries included a broken neck and eye damage.
Self-rescue in the Himalayas is challenging and risky.
Community support played a crucial role in his recovery.
He plans to continue flying despite the incident.
The experience taught him valuable lessons about risk management.
He felt a deep sense of responsibility towards his family.
Ben’s vision issues were a significant concern post-accident.
He acknowledges the importance of proper equipment for safety.
Social media response was largely supportive and positive.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the CloudSuck Incident
06:04 The Intimidation of Mountain Flying
11:46 The Day of the Incident: Setting the Scene
18:01 The Moment of Panic and Loss of Control
23:54 Reflections on the Experience
29:38 Surviving the Fall: A Paraglider’s Tale
36:54 Self-Rescue in the Himalayas
46:00 Lessons Learned: A Cautionary Experience

#231 Chasing Excellence with Evan Bouchier

In this conversation, American pilot and Adventurer Evan Bouchier shares his journey from extreme kayaking to paragliding, detailing his experiences and breakthroughs in the sport. He discusses the transition from intense paddling to flying, the importance of tandem flying in skill development, and the ups and downs of competition flying. Evan emphasizes the significance of flow, intuition, and visualization in enhancing performance, while also reflecting on the parallels between kayaking and paragliding. Evan shares his experiences and insights on paragliding, focusing on the mental aspects of flying, the importance of acro training for safety and mastery, and his future aspirations in cross-country flying. He discusses the challenges of performance lulls, the thrill of skiing compared to paragliding, and reflects on close calls in his flying career, emphasizing the need for resilience and mental fortitude in the sport.

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Takeaways

  • Evan started paragliding in 2008 after a background in kayaking.
  • His experiences in Nepal were pivotal for his flying skills.
  • Tandem flying helped him become a more well-rounded pilot.
  • He emphasizes the importance of flow and intuition in flying.
  • Evan’s journey includes both breakthroughs and setbacks in competition.
  • He learned to trust his instincts over overanalyzing his performance.
  • Visualization techniques have been beneficial for his confidence.
  • Cross-country paragliding resembles expedition kayaking in many ways.
  • The camaraderie and learning from other pilots at competitions are invaluable.
  • Evan’s approach to flying has evolved through various experiences and challenges. Focusing on sensations rather than analysis can enhance performance.
  • Breathing techniques are crucial for maintaining calm in flight.
  • Acro training is valuable for mastering non-standard configurations.
  • Team flying offers unique experiences and camaraderie.
  • Performance lulls are common; resilience is key to overcoming them.
  • Skiing brings joy, while paragliding feels more intense and serious.
  • Building mental armor helps pilots cope with risks.
  • Experiencing close calls can shatter confidence, requiring rebuilding.
  • Maintaining a positive attitude is essential during tough times.
  • The thrill of flying is deeply innate and fulfilling.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Evan’s Journey

02:53 The Transition from Kayaking to Paragliding

05:55 Experiences in Nepal and Breakthroughs in Flying

08:50 The Evolution of Competitive Flying

12:03 The Role of Tandem Flying in Skill Development

15:12 Navigating the Ups and Downs of Progress

17:57 The Importance of Flow and Intuition in Flying

23:05 Finding Flow in Flight

26:10 The Role of Acro in Safety and Mastery

28:24 Future Aspirations in Cross-Country Flying

32:06 Navigating Lulls in Performance

37:07 Comparing the Thrills of Skiing and Paragliding

41:13 Close Calls and Building Resilience

#230 Hugh Miller and making the Glide to Sailplanes

In this conversation I speak with Cross Country magazine co-owner and long time editor Hugh Miller about his extensive experience in paragliding and his recent foray into sailplane flying. We discuss the differences between the two sports, the training and costs involved in becoming a sailplane pilot, and the unique experiences that come with cross-country flying. Hugh shares insights on the community and culture within gliding, the innovations in the industry, and reflects on the importance of aerodynamics and the thrill of flying. The conversation highlights the excitement and challenges of both paragliding and gliding, as well as the camaraderie among pilots.

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Takeaways

  • Hugh has been obsessed with paragliding for 32 years.
  • Sailplane training is more involved than paragliding.
  • The cost of training to fly a sailplane can be significant.
  • Gliding offers a different experience compared to paragliding.
  • Cross-country flying in gliders can be exhilarating.
  • Learning to glide involves understanding complex aerodynamics.
  • Community in gliding is supportive but more serious than in paragliding.
  • Innovations in gliding equipment are making the sport safer.
  • The culture in gliding is influenced by a more disciplined background.
  • Hugh enjoys the thrill of gliding but appreciates the freedom of paragliding.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sailplane Adventures

03:14 Hugh’s Journey in Paragliding and Gliding

05:57 The Cost and Training of Sailplane Flying

09:04 Differences Between Paragliding and Gliding

12:03 Cross Country Flying Experiences

15:04 Learning Curve and Insights from Gliding

18:03 The Role of Instruments and Visual Cues in Gliding

21:06 Community and Culture in Gliding

23:48 The Future of Sailplanes and Innovations

26:50 Reflections on the Gliding Experience

30:03 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

#229, The Exit Point Podcast interviews your Host

Day 35 crossing the Alaska Range approaching the Susitna Glacier

We flip the roles in this episode of the Cloudbase Mayhem. Laurent and Matt, the hosts of the Exit Point Podcast, which is dedicated to Base and Wingsuit Base invited your host Gavin McClurg on their show to discuss the commonalities of risk across extreme sports, flow, navigating intermediate syndrome, how important having mentors are, and a lot more. We rewind the clock back to my ski racing days and how early injuries affected the trajectory of my life; some too-close calls kayaking; and how sailing around the world two times built confidence in my approach to sports that have a lot less margin. Gavin is a four time Red Bull X-Alps athlete, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, author of “Advanced Paragliding“, Patagonia ambassador, founder of “Offshore Odysseys”, and Dad.

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#228 Eat, Sleep, Fly 100 km Repeat with Mathew Fiddes

Heading up and over the Aletch Glacier

Mathew Fiddes only got into flying a few years ago but has been chasing about as hard as you can. Some early stumbles brought humility and perspective and then last year, for the 23′ XContest season Matt began with the goal of winning the Australian XC league. But as the flights chalked up and he starting climbing up the ranks for pilots who had the most 100 km flights, he thought maybe an even better goal would be to bank 52 100 km flights in a single season- one per week. And with just a few days left in the season, he snagged it. Matt traveled around the world in his quest- to India, Australia, and across the Alps chasing not only his goal but the “Kraken”. We sat down during the Red Rocks Wide Open to discuss his passion, his early accident and the comeback both physically and mentally and his future. Matt has become an exceptional pilot in a very short time and there’s some great stories here to keep you entertained. Enjoy!

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#227 The XPeaks Expedition with Chrigel Maurer and Peter Von Känel

A little over a year ago professional mountaineering guide Peter Von Känel had an idea to summit all the 4,000 meter peaks in Switzerland by only using his feet and a paraglider. Then he thought, “let’s go a little bigger and do ALL 82 of the 4,000 meter peaks in the Alps!” Peter had the mountaineering skills and was a very accomplished XC pilot back in the late 90’s, but for this rather audacious undertaking he’d need a partner who knew how to move in the mountains and could get his wing skills up to snuff. Enter his good friend and neighbor Chrigel Maurer. A year later Peter and Chrigel embarked on an epic adventure to link all 4000-meter peaks of the Alps with a continuous track. The style was simple- move only by foot or by paraglider, allowing for the possibility of going back home from a village in case of bad weather, but only by using public transport. The project required a combination of expert paragliding and mountaineering skills, and they carried ultra-lightweight gear to travel in an alpine style. They faced challenges with weather conditions but were often able to fly above the clouds and make unexpected moves. The team dynamics were strong, with each member supporting and motivating the other and relied on their “fun” rule- ‘as long as one person was having fun they would carry on’! They had to carefully manage their resources, including food and rest to maintain energy and make good decisions. The project was a mix of fun, adventure, and improvisation, and they unexpectedly successfully completed their mission in just 51 days. In this amazing talk they share their most elegant and memorable (and sometimes scary) moments, including flying above the clouds and landing on remote summits. They also discuss the importance of risk management and embracing uncertainty. Enjoy!

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Takeaways

  • The Xpeaks 82 summits project involved linking all 82 4000-meter peaks of the Alps with a continuous track, combining paragliding and mountaineering skills.
  • The team faced challenges with weather conditions but often found opportunities to fly above the clouds and make unexpected moves.
  • Careful management of resources, including food and rest, was crucial for maintaining energy and making good decisions.
  • The project was a mix of fun, adventure, and improvisation, with strong team dynamics and mutual support. Chrigel and Peter successfully completed their project to summit all 82 of the 4,000-meter peaks in the Alps and fly between them using paragliders in 51 days.
  • They faced challenges with weather forecasting and had to adapt their plans based on changing conditions.
  • They experienced elegant and memorable moments, including flying above the clouds and landing on remote summits.
  • Risk management and embracing uncertainty were key factors in their success.
  • The project has reignited their passion for flying and they are excited about future flying projects.

Titles

  • Managing Resources: Food, Rest, and Energy
  • Team Dynamics and Mutual Support in the Mountains Reigniting the Passion: Future Flying Projects
  • Risk Management and Embracing Uncertainty: Keys to Success

Sound Bites

  • “We basically wanted to link all the 82 -4000 meter peaks of the Alps with a continuous track.”
  • “The best moves we did when we had the knife to our throat.”
  • “We did not eat enough… Whenever we had the possibility, we went shopping.”
  • “Our plan for this day was to fly direction Grindelwald and then climbing direction Mönch from the north.”
  • “The weather forecast change or the calculation, it’s every three hours something totally different.”
  • “The first day really, really blew my mind. Being on 3,800 meters, starting below a cloud base of about 17 to 1800 meters.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Xpeaks 82 summits project

02:01 Weather conditions and flying above the clouds

07:07 Training and preparation for the project

11:37 Gear selection and weight considerations

17:22 Mission and approach of the project

19:29 Adapting plans based on weather and conditions

23:19 Decision-making and resolving conflicts as a team

25:46 Food, weight loss, and managing resources

30:13 Maintaining a sense of fun and teamwork

39:37 Choosing the right wing and the first day of the project

45:14 Planning and Adapting in the Alps

54:55 Memorable Moments: Flying Above the Clouds and Landing on Remote Summits

58:16 Challenges and Risks: Navigating the Lee and Turbulence

01:02:59 Life After the Project: Reflections and Future Flying Projects

#226 Benni Bölli and the Art of Flaring

It’s not often you get to be credited for creating a whole new sport! “Flaring” or parakiting is all the rage in some parts of the world and my guest for today’s show Benni Bölli- inventor, designer, and passionate pilot is the head developer for Flare, which makes the Moustache and the Line. “Parakiting” is simply the combination of a kitesurfing wing and a paragliding wing. Dynamic, fast, wicked playful- it takes soaring to a whole new level and makes playing on dunes and cliffs wildly fun again. Benni shares his personal journey in the sport and explains how the Flare system works, including the use of the accelerator and the dynamic nature of the wing, and the advantages and potential risks of flying with the Flare wing. Benni emphasizes the importance of understanding the system and taking proper precautions. Bennie explores the differences between parakites and traditional paragliders, including the use of a flare system and the ability to maintain lift in low wind conditions. And he explains the mechanics of flaring and how it affects the angle of attack and glide path of the wing. We also discuss the potential future of parakites in the paragliding community and the importance of caution and proper training when flying with parakites.

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Takeaways

  • The Flare wing combines elements of paragliding and kitesurfing, offering a dynamic and playful flying experience.
  • The Flare system allows for increased control and versatility, with the ability to change the angle of attack and fly at different speeds.
  • Proper understanding of the Flare system and wing design is crucial for safe and enjoyable flying.
  • Ground handling and familiarizing oneself with the wing’s behavior are important steps before flying with the Flare wing. Flaring is a unique sport that involves using parakites for soaring.
  • Parakites have a flare system that allows pilots to change the angle of attack and maintain lift in low wind conditions.
  • Flaring involves adjusting the angle between the leading edge and trailing edge of the wing to control the glide path.
  • Parakites are more efficient for soaring than traditional paragliders, but may not be as suitable for long-distance cross-country flights.
  • Proper training and caution are essential when flying with parakites to avoid accidents.

Titles

  • The Concept and Design of the Flare Wing
  • The Flare System: Control and Versatility Understanding the Mechanics of Flaring
  • The Benefits of Using Parakites for Soaring

Sound Bites

  • “Yeah, why mustache?”
  • “All the best companies are starting from a joke.”
  • “So I would say it’s very dynamic.”
  • “Flying gliders is just so much more efficient than going with a paraglider on cross-country flights.”
  • “The mustache is made to basically stay up. So your arm position where you fly for your best glide ratio, I would say, is totally different than on the line.”
  • “The Dutch flying community, they are unique in this.”

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background

05:56Benni’s Journey and Role in Flare Kiteboarding

10:59The Concept and Design of the Flare Wing

18:39The Flare System: Control and Versatility

22:09Understanding the Dynamic Nature of the Flare Wing

26:57Safety Precautions and Proper Training for Flare Wing Flying

31:24Troubleshooting Technical Issues

32:22Understanding the Mechanics of Flaring

36:19Transitioning from Paragliding to Flaring

43:00The Growing Popularity of Flaring in the Netherlands

45:09Differentiating Between Mustache and Line Wings

46:52The Potential Future of Parakites

49:26Advice for Pilots Getting into Flaring

53:34Closing Remarks and Conclusion