14th November - Adventure Hike'n'Fly Parmelan (Ang/Fr)

Parmelan through the trees

14h25-  I left home, manned with mountain glider and dog. I had planned on the hike taking 3hrs30. It took just under that and would have been quicker had I not had to retrieve my four-legged friend on more than one occasion from places where her obvious chances of dinner were more appealing than a walk.

Anglette west-facing grassy take-off, taken from our 16h20 check

15h10- Re-joining the tarmac road leading to Chalet Chappuis car park, we were making good time. This was where the route would get tougher as the ascent would be another 600metres to the summit on damp mountain paths.

A welcome waterhole. The water was clear, sweet and "al fresco"

Road signs are not France's strong point, and I can testify that randonnée signs are equally not their forté. Why is it that they are all offset by 45°?! That just should not happen.
So after a couple of meandering shortcuts through the trees, (one hair raising experience scrabbling on all 4's to avoid a perilous 200m drop to a riverbed!) I was able to maintain my bearing by glimpses of the Parmelan's sheer rock-face through the pine forest and the back drop of blue sky.
At this point, I did just double check that my SPOT device was "on"!

16h20 and finally out of the woods, literally. Now on the Petit Montoir path leading to the grassy Anglette take-off. My eye on the prize, but I had to be fast as I knew that the sun would start to set soon.
The last sign on the path, if I as to believe that, said that I had 50mins to my destination.
Too long! I had 35mins left before the prospect of either sleeping in the pig shelter at Anglettaz or a long walk home in the dark would be the remaining options.

Carefully picking my way along the Petit Montoir, remenant snow lying in the shaded bends in one part , a landslide fallen across the path in another, I met 3 walkers on their way down. Time check- 16h38. I knew that if I was not at take-off by 5pm, I had to turn back. Pushing on, Gin now getting tired, we made it.

16h58 - No time to take that beautiful panoramic photograph of the Bauges, the Semnoz, Lake Annecy, the Jura, Saleve and Geneva all laid out below us, we had to set up fast before the catabatic.

Parmelan Refuge taken from the Petit Montoir (this is the Parmelan "TP" for those who are competitors)

Fortunately there was not a breath of wind in either direction.
Checking all the lines meticulously, break lines free from grasses and the odd limestone,  I fanned the glider out to face its destiny.
Gin and I clipped in to our respective harnesses. The realisation that my first mountain glider flight was going to happen from my home spot gave me a "butterfly" moment.
With time ticking, I knew I only had one shot at launching. No wind I'd have to run. Just one time, no mess-up's.
Unsure of how a mountain glider launches or reacts but knowing the manufacturer's history for perfection, I pulled forward. Those first few bold steps of conviction. Gin'T jingled on my chest as the Ultralite lifted us off the hill with ease. We were flying, my dog and I, together, into the lazy sunset.
17h22 - We landed at home. It was almost dark down in the valley. Looking up at where we had come from, the timing could not have been more perfect.  A beautiful end to a day.

Would I do it again? Definitely. But when my blisters have healed!

Special thanks goes to JC Skiera for lending me his Ozone 23' Ultralite 
Made-to-Measure paragliding Dog Harness from RipAir, Annecy http://www.ripair.com 
                                                                                                                                                                                       
EN FRANCAIS: (en vous priant de m'excuser pour les fautes de grammaire :-o)

14h25-j'ai quitté la maison, avec voile de montagne sur le dos et le chien. J'avais prévu que la randonnée allais prenant 3h30. Il a fallu un peu moins et aurait été plus rapide si je n'avais pas eu à récupérer mon amie canine, Gin'T, de certains endroits où ses chances de dîner étaient nettment plus attrayant qu'une promenade aver sa maitresse!

15h10- Je rejoins la route goudronnée qui mène au parking Chalet Chappuis, nous faisions un bon chrono. C'est là par la suite que la route serait plus difficile  car il y avait une ascension encore de 600metres jusqu'au sommet sur les sentiers de montagne humides.

Les panneaux de signalisation ne sont pas le point fort de la France, et je peux témoigner que les panneaux de randonnée ne demeure guerre mieux. Pourquoi sont-ils tous compensés de 45 °! Cela n'a pas de sense et ne devrait tout simplement pas se produire, enfin!
Ainsi, après quelques méandres, des raccourcis à travers les arbres, (une horrifiante expérience à 4 pattes afin d'éviter une chute périlleuse 200m), j'ai pu maintenir mon cap à travers le forêt de pins par des aperçus du Parmelan sur un fond de ciel bleu.
Je vérifie que mon dispositif SPOT est "on". Oui!

landslide and fallen trees on the Petit Montoir

Gin'T showing the way on the narrow mountain train

16h20 et enfin sortis du bois, littéralement. Maintenant, sur le chemin Petit Montoir menant à l'herbeuse décollage de l'Anglette. Je devais augmenter mon allure car je savais que le soleil allait commencer sa descente bientôt.
Le dernier panneau sur le chemin, si je peut le croire me dit que  je gagnais ma destination à 50 minutes.
Trop long! Il me restais 35 minutes en perspective avant l'option de dormir soit sous l'abri des cochons à Anglettaz ou d'entammer une longue marche dans l'obscurité pour rejoindre ma maison. 

A pied ferme suivant la route du Petit Montoir, neige remenant etalée dans quelques virages ombragés, un petit glissement de terrain en travers du chemin, j'ai rencontré trois randonneurs sur leur chemin du retour. Check-16h38. Je savais que si je n'étais pas au décollage avant 17h, je n'aurais eu qu'a rebrousser le chemin. Encouragant Gin'T, maintenant fatigués, nous l'avons continuer.

Snow over the path on the Petit Montoir

16h58 - Arrivées! Pas le temps de prendre cette photographie panoramique du massif des Bauges, le Semnoz, Lac d'Annecy, le Jura, Salève et Genève, étalés a nos pieds, nous avons dû se mettre en place rapidement avant l'éventuel commencement de catabatique.

Mais pour l'instant et heureusement il n'y avait pas un souffle de vent.

J'attise la voile sur la pente, vérification méticuleusement de toutes les suspentes, libres d'herbes et accrochages sur les roches de calcaire.
Gin'T et moi dans nos harnais respectifs. La prise de conscience que mon premier vol voile montagne allait se passer depuis mon home spot m'a donné un moment de "papillonnement" dans le ventre.

Sheer rock face of the Parmelan. I had not noticed how the pines in the distance have bent over from years of Anabatic updraft.

Le temps est compté, je savais que je n'avais qu'un seul essai. Aucun souffle de vent, je dois y aller.  Juste une chance, pas de possibilité de faux pas.

Incertaine de la façon dont la voile allait réagir mais connaissant l'histoirique et la reputation du fabricant pour la perfection, je me suis lancé vers l'avant. Ces premières pas audacieux. Gin'T tintaient sur moi et l'Ultralite nous a décollé de la colline avec facilité. Nous volions, mon chien et moi, tous les deux, vers l'horizon.

17h22 - Aatterrissage à la maison. Il faisait presque nuit et en levant les yeux vers d'où nous venions, le timing n'aurait pas pu être plus parfait. Une belle fin de journée.

Aurais-je le refaire? Certainement. Mais quand j'aurais guérri mes cloques sur les pieds! 



Mes remerciements à JC Skiera de m'avoir emprunté sa voile Ozone 23' Ultralite 
Harnais de parapente pour chien fait sur-mesure chez RipAir, Annecy http://www.ripair.com 

Dates for your diary : BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP AND BRITISH OPEN Cat2, 2013

**BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP & BRITISH OPEN Cat 2, 2013**

The dates and venue have now been confirmed.

Serra da Estrela, Manteigas in Portugal and Clube Verticale http://clubevertical.org/cms/ are to host the first round of our competition which will be held from 1st-7th July 2013 inclusive.
Registration will be on Sunday 30th June.

In orbit flying the flatlands

Cloudbase flying the mountains

Campsite and HQ river

The Mayor and Organisers

The reason for the offset dates is to allow pilots travelling from the French PWC which finishes on the 29th June.

The competition will include packed lunches for all pilots and a number of evening events.
Clube Verticale are offering free shuttles to take off on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th June for those arriving early. They are also offering for a small fee, shuttles to and from Lisbon and Porto airports. Full details will follow soon on the British Competitions website, which is currently being updated. For those of you liking epic flatland flying, river swimming and sun, you'll love this place!

Bring your flip-flops, hat and suncream too!

See you there.......

French Paragliding Team process vs. our own (blog in english)

If the British were able to finance a similar support and coaching system along the lines of the French, Swiss and Germans, we would stand a better chance of introducing new pilots and potential world champions into our own country's competition paragliding.

Who is our Team Leader?
Where and who is our Competition Coach?
Which person are we wanting to impress both in terms of ability and enthusiasm, to gun for team selection?

I have always been a supporter of team spirit. My convictions are that working together is more productive and more rewarding than individual prowess.

Sure, it's great to win as an individual, but lest we forget that Competition Paragliding is a sport in which you can only come first by using and extracting the best of your competitors' abilities and tactics combined with your own.

Isn't that team work in itself?
GB as a small country and has some great pilots out there.  Let's get together, share and reel them in.

28 Octobre - Fin de l'été indien SUMMER ENDS (blog in Eng./Fr.)

Pour se renconforter de la méteo qui est décidamment hivernal, nous avons décidé d'aller soutenir Annecy jouer contre Anglet, Pays Basque, a la Patinoire.
With wintry weather conditions forecast, to console myself I went to watch Annecy Ice-Hockey Team play Anglet, Pays Basque last night in town.

Equipé de gants, bonnet, un thermos de chocco chaud, plus un coussin bien douillet pour mon derrière, j'ai regardé la défaite d'Annecy.  Ils se sont assez bien défendu mais ses adversaires avaient une préparation de tactiques bien plus avancé que nous. Une bonne introduction aux conditions hivernal car a la sortie, c'était bien l'hiver! 

Manned with hat, gloves, thermos of hot chocolat (yeah, I suffer from the cold!), and a plush cushion for my "derrière", I watched Annecy's defeat, but it was a great introduction to the winter which when I stepped outside, was obviously showing it's colours.

ma petite voiture sous la tempête!

Hier soir en rentrant, il y avait de la neige sur les routes et n'ayant pas encore mise mes pneus hiver, la montée a la maison était, on va dire plutôt ... intéressante. Et ce matin, encore tempête et les temperatures bien en dessous de zéro, je ne sortira pas avant que ca s'arrête!

Last night on returning home, snow was on the ground and with no winter tyres on the car just yet, the roads were....interesting!  And this morning, more snow, high winds and the thought of going outdoors at all with temperatures well below zero, are postponed 'til later. 

Le moment est venu de préparer ma voile pour l'hiver et aller farter quelques paires de skis :-)
I think I'll prepare my glider for the winter and go wax some pairs of skis instead :-)

24 October - Enfin des conditions

Enfin, les conditions qui permettais un petit vol cet après midi.
Plaf a 1300m ou une inversion s'etais installé pour la journée et hélas, restais bien a sa place, un lèger vent de je ne sais-où, du soleil et des couleurs d'autonne, nous avons décolllé de Planfait avec grand joie.

Malgré l'impossibilité de gagner de l'altitude pour un cross, un petit triangle sur Veyrier s'imposait, et pour nous donner un peu de du courage,  de tout petits cumulus se formait juste au dessus le déco,

Quelques fans de parapente en l'air aussi, profitant de cette belle après-midi, et hop, une heure passé dans les airs et au calm au dessus du Lac d'Annecy. Du pure bonheur.
Demain la météo annonce un changement de temps, alors peut etre aujourd'hui était notre dernière chance avant l'hiver. Bien sur, j'espere le contraire.

Petite histoire de Rêves de pilote - Dreams of being a pilot

Tout a commence a l'age de 4 ans.
Les souvenirs de voyages pour visiter la famille en Angleterre, mon visage toujours scotché aux grands parois vitrés des salles d'attente dans les aéroports. Des heures passés à regarder décoller et attérir les avions a l'époque ou il fallait être surplice 3hrs avant le départ du vol!.
Je me souviens de la vibration des vitres et ce bruit tonnère des moteurs de Boeings, la rapidité des hélices qui tournaient formant une sphère d'acier.
Et là, je montre mon age car c'était l'époque ou les aéroports de nos jours étaient encore a taille humaine. Pas de longs couloires menant aux satellites, mais juste une énorme salle d'embarquement pour tout le monde, et l'activité et sur les pistes et l'animation sur le goudron se voyait de très près.

Quelques années passent...

Ete 1980, un ami de mon père me fait faire un petit tour de la campagne anglaise dans son Open 2-places. Nous avons décollé dans un champ de course de chevaux et attéri dans un champ de  vaches! Après 20 minutes de bonheur, le moteur se mets a tousser en répétition. Je m'inventait histoire d'une aventurière qui a du attérir en urgence au milieu du desert mais qui a pu s'echapper des flammes juste a temps.... J'ai appris bien plus tard qu'effectivment, nous aurions pu se scratché, mais le bonhumeur et attitude positive anglo-saxon reigne, the show must go on, et tout va bien.... !! Grande sourire de gamine.

Printemps 1986, un vol scénique lors de ma premiere saison passées dans les alpes. Un ami m'emene pour flanner a Annecy (étrange liaison, ne sachant pas a l'époque que des années plus tard je m'y installerai!). Décollage et attérissage terrifiant mais glorieux depuis l'altiport de Courchevel. Grande sourire d'adolscente.

En Novembre 2008, voyage de Annecy a Venise en VIP :-) en jet Citation 6 places. Wow!  Radio communication avec les tours de controle, carte aeriennes et tableaux de bord lumineux incitant la curiosité même aux moindres non-intéressés.

Un casque avec micro, ceintures croissés, les switches et les boutons a n'en pas finir et tout est éléctronique, un Boeing en petit modèle, quoi. C'est le Top! Grande sourire d'adulte!

Et voila, je me lance et j'essaye ...

Ete 2006 - la découverte du parapente et beaucoup de vol bi-places avec mon copain au dessus du Lac d'Annecy. Les premiers vols se passent bien. Les suivants vont de bien en moins bien. Stressée aux décollages avec hyper-ventilation, neanmoins, une fois dans l'air tout va très bien. Et puis a l'atterissage la meme chose. L'impression que le sol viens a nous trop vite,  je me trouve en plein action physique entrain de repousser le sol avec mes mains devant moi.  Hmm. Et puis les vols suivants, le stresse monte en l'air et je ne peux plus supporter d'être passager. A l'approche des falaises, je respire trop fort, voir couper ma respiration complement jusqu'a ce que nous avons commencé a enrouler les thermiques. Mais puis, ensuite, c'est le mal d'air qui m'aggripe...! Ahlala...Bon, il est temps que j'apprenne a maitriser moi meme pour combattre ma peur en saisissant le torro par ses cornes.

Mai 2007. J'apprends le parapente, et un nouveau sport en moi est née. Le reste c'est l'histoire, mais l'envie de voler ne s'arrete pas là.

En Mai 2011, un vol en planneur sur le Long Mynd au Pays de Galle.
Catapulté dans l'air comme une pois-chiche sur une élastique, j'ai trouvé l'expérience bruitant et "tappe-cul". Tout vibrait pendant qu'on traversait l'air, cherchant les thermiques legerement en travers sur les ligne droite au dessus des collines, et a plus de 70km/hr, avant de pouvoir enrouler - une sensation de roller-coaster aux Jardins des Tuilleries, je m'entassais et decollais sans cesse de mon siège.  Pas pour moi, neanmoins le "highlight" était un 360° en "loop-the-loop" au dessus du Club Aerien de Long Mynd.

En Juin 2011, pendant un taxi-vol depuis le Cornouaill, Grande Bretagne, Airways m'a donné le vrai gout de devenir pilote d'avion.

Mon rêve ultime

Ce magnifique petit avion "jet" aver son cockpit spacieux de 4 sièges baquet et un tableau de bord a en rêver.



Alors en Novembre 2011 j'ai pris mes premières pas en tant que pilote d'avion, lors d'une matinée passée a l'aéroport d'Annecy. Premier cours d'initiation PPL dans un Robin 4-places. Moins luxieux, certes, mais beaucoup plus "proche" en tant que sensations avec l'espace de l'air autour de soi.

De voler au dessus d'où on pratique le parapente était une expérience extraordinaire et de pouvoir se rapprocher des falaises comme si était sous notre aile en tissue était très excitant.

Cette année, j'ai eu la chance de renouveller cette expérience mais dans un micro-lite et Brett Jannaway m'a gentillement passé les commandes de son micro-lite pendant quelques heures a Meduno en Italie, lors d'une semaine de competition parapente.

Super sensations et un moment de reflexion a savoir quand et comment est ce que je vais trouver le temps de passer mon PPL. Vos idées sont le bienvenu... :-)

Winter Sun, Sea and Wind - Mer, Soleil, Vent d'hiver

So I'm thinking about getting some winter sun before the skiing season kicks in. Having been introduced to Egypt many years ago, it has become a regular destination and I love the place.
Up north in Cairo you get the feel of the bussling mayhem of the city, mid country at Aswaan and the Nile you delve into the farming working way of life, horseriding and beautiful lush countryside, down south you get the tourist (inevitably in their flocks but fortunately concentrated into luxury resorts!), the desert and the Bedouins, and the beautiful ocean with warm waters, deep sea diving and kitesurfing.

In the meantime, Europe's trees are shedding their leaves either from heavy wind and rain or the first crisp frosts. Temperatures plummet and our mountains become snow-capped and eventually are disguised under a thick blanket of winter-white.

Food for thought.

Kite Junkies (www.kitejunkies.com), Nabq Bay 10 mins from Sharm el Sheikh airport offers great packages and Ozone kites, tuition, rental etc... in a fantastic bay blowing cross-onshore every day :-)
check them out on Facebook or on their website for live-cam on conditions and then book a cheapie-cheapie with easyjet to Sharm to maintain your fitness level and have some darned good fun.

20 October - Pratiques sportives de la FFVL

Whilst drinking my morning brew of strong coffee and cream, I came across this video made for the FFVL (Fédération Française de Vol Libre), French Flying Federation, and thought how beautifully peaceful it makes out sports look, how we have so many ways of playing with the wind, and how lucky we are to have learned to do this in our lifetime.



I wanna go flying......

19 October - Security in Flight by Russel Ogden

A recent video taken of Russ' talk in the US during the Open Distance XC Championships earlier this year.

Listen, Look, Learn, Enjoy.

1-3 October Saint Andre les Alpes

As conditions became windy and wet in the Northern Alps, I headed south to try to catch some late season conditions. Unfortunately strong winds in St André prevailed so we headed off to St Vincent les Forts on the Tuesday 2nd.

 There had been snow with the recent rain storm on the Monday and autumn temperatures had kicked in, big time. With a low 6°C we headed off towards St Vincent les Forts in search of some better conditions. Snow capped mountains followed us on our journey. Autumn is here.

Dormiouse  and La Blanche under snow

But regardless of the temperatures, manned with hand warmers and 5 layers of clothing, at this time of the year anything is good enough to get my IP6 out of the bag. Still loving it and waiting for some pictures from someone...anyone....to prove it!
If you have any photos of me flying/launching my Niviuk Icepeak6, please send them. Thanks :-)

Europeans Paragliding Championships 2012 - paragliding launches 6th Day

I made this little video and had forgotten to put it online of the 6th race-day take-offs.  An amusing way to take film the gliders launching and interesting to note that even in the benign conditions that day, these race gliders are a handful to launch at times.

The short movie was filmed from the Southern Chalvet take-off at about 12h45pm.

Rather fun to watch, nevertheless.

Saint Hilaire Flight Festival

As every year, flight enthusiasts from all over the world flock to the air festival to see everything and everyone they need to under the same roof over a long weekend.
This year, the weather was fair although not as generous as last year. At least we were not wallowing around in mud as has been the case in previous years!

I spent my time catching up with flying friends and sponsors on the Friday, and for the first year my other half and I parted company to spend time on different manufacturer's stands. He with Ozone, me with Niviuk

Icaro managed to put together my new made-to-measure flying helmet on the spot for me, with various requested specifications, notably the size and visor. Obviously, and as is so often the case in this sport, paragliding companies just don't cater much for girls, but Icaro came up trumps. Grazie Mille Icaro!

Icaro making my new helmet

I was delighted to meet up with Dominique Cizeau from Niviuk and had a great chat with him, as with other members of the Niviuk Team, Joel Debons and Maxime Bellemin from ABAC in addition.
Thank you to everyone on the Niviuk stand for giving me such a warm welcome :-)

Nice to see Mike at the Ozone stand too. No hard feelings, and I am sure that they have a cracking season ahead of them, albeit feeling the pressure from the recent performance of the Icepeak6's.
Columbia and the Superfinal will tell.

Team Niviuk Pilot Profile

I've been absent for a while, waiting patiently for some promising sky to enjoy early autumn conditions.
St Andre didn't hold much and Annecy has been super stable with low valley cloud for a good few weeks.
However, I've been busy with Niviuk after St Hilaire Paragliding festival, and my Team Niviuk pilot profile is almost complete and ready to post to the Niviuk website.
http://www.niviuk.co.uk/comp-team-niviuk-paragliding.php
I should be visiting Niviuk UK in the next few days, so watch this spot for pictures of the great encounter!
Bye for now...

6th September - First flight on my IP6

I LOVE IT!

5th September - Europeans Championship 2012

12 th FAI Paragliding Europeans Championship 2012 update as to today's events.
Sadly they are not tasking today. I'm sure everyone is frothing at the bit to get the competition underway and hopefully the sky will "play ball" in the latter part of this week moving forward.

Suunto t3d Noir Poli | Suunto

Suunto t3d Noir Poli | Suunto
This looks a great piece of kit to monitor one's personal training.
Definitely on my next "wish-list".

12th FAI Paragliding Europeans Championship 2012

Steve Senior and I were in St Andre les Alpes, France, yesterday for team registration, safety briefing and the opening ceremony of the 12th FAI European Paragliding Championships 2012. 

Team GB. From L-R: Russ Ogden, Jamie Messenger, Neil "Slapper" Roberts, Adam Hill, Steve "Serious" Senior, Adrian "Prof" Thomas, Emile Van Wyk, Kirsty Cameron, Tom Payne, John "Sonic" Stevenson

Emile Van Wyk, Steve Senior, Myself, Adam Hill, Sonic at the parade

Parade through St Andre town

The Team Belgium kit.

Luc Armant receiving instruction from the Italian Coach!

 Although the conditions were a little cold and windy due to the tail end of the mistral, spirits were high and very positive with a now confirmed team coached by Kitt Rudd.

GB Team Briefing

Blogs from various teams can be found below, but most importantly, our own team's blog, hot off the press from 400km south of here: 

Our own official blog can be found here:
Team GB blog
Usually updated daily by one or several members of the squad.




And below, known blogs from other participating european countries:
Team Portugal
Team Swiss
Team Italy
Team German

The opening video of the competition, which think is rather good, can be seen by clicking here:
Video European Championship 2012

Although the cut-off date for this year's GB Team selection mean't that I didn't make the squad on this occasion, I will be gunning for a team place next year. In the meantime, I'll be heading back down to St Andre next weekend to report live from the Team GB HQ and share the skies with the 150 participating pilots.

Enjoy!

1 Sept - Ownership negociations over my new IP6

Yesterday afternoon the long-awaited box arrived from Niviuk. Thank you :-)

I've been patiently waiting for the new production of the 21, and shipment arrived a week early.

My new glider, the IP6 21 Cloud.

The wing is very looooooooong!

Looks like I have some ownership competition going on here! :-)

My jack-russell terrier, Gin, thinks it's hers!

Neatly packed and folded with tissue paper between the lines. Lines loosely bundled and knotted with a bag to protect the risers. Rucksack, inner bag, strap, T-shirt, brand stickers, repair sheets, replacement mini maillon stoppers, and a cute metal box containing the Niviuk mini USB key.

The rucksack looks quite big, big enough to fit my Gin Genie race harness and flight deck.

Now all I need is for the rain to go away so I can go out and play!

SURVIVAL & FIRST AID kit - my way

Following events at the recent PWC in Sun Valley, Idaho, and read several peoples blogs/articles/discussion forums, it seems odd that the majority of paragliding pilots don't carry any form of first aid, safety or survival kits on them. Sure some of you do not fly remote sites, but nevertheless, the basics should not be disregarded.

In Meduno, Italy in May 2012 at the first leg of the British Nationals, a few female pilots were discussing this, having a bit of a laugh and a comparison of the various things each of us would not fly without. Other pilots joined in the discussion and it soon became apparent that three of us were the only pilots in the competition to have any kind of safety kit whatsoever. On numerous occasions I have had the pleasure of being able to help fellow pilots either at a comp., on launch or after landing using some of the things I carry. But as I may not be there on the day you fly ;-) , best you start thinking about it yourself.

In one of my previous BLOGS entitled "My Competition Equipment", in the photograph showing all my gear, you can see in the middle some of my first aid kit. Over my 5 years of paragliding, where the majority of that time has and is spent fly mountain terrain and mostly alone, I think I've just about got this little First Aid kit "nailed". 

And since Guy Anderson's recent ordeal, I've even added a few additional items: a foldable rubber recipient (to collect water if I run out), a clothes peg (not sure why but thought it may be a useful item), and a teaspoon (in case I need to dig!).  

At this point, I think it is important for me to detail exactly what my kit contains; it could help you or other pilots decide on what you want to put in yours.

1 x first aid zip bag (purchased from local pharmacy including basic first aid essentials inside)
1 x foil blanket
1 x foldable rubber tupperware type recipient
1 x sachet of 2 self-activated handwarmers (lasts up to 7hrs)
1 x sachet Lemsip for colds
1 x self-adhesive elasticated bandage
1 x regular bandage
1 x sachet disinfectant handtowel
1 x roll tape
3 x plasters
2 x sterilised swabs
Chewing gum
(2 carabiners (I've taken these out as you can use the ones on your glider. I carried these spare following a tandem pilot on take-off who couldn't launch for lack of them!)
1 x wooden clothes peg
1 x teaspoon
4 x small metal links
Caffein tablets
Indigestion tablets
Paracetamol
Imodium
Pain killers
1 x sewing kit
1 x multi-tool
1 x pair scissors
1 x wind-up LED flashlight
Length of cord
Scissors
1 x gas lighter
1 x battery (for the SPOT)
Lip-salve
Hand-cream
Food (as bare minimum I always at least have a high protein fruit strip)
SPOT device and smoke flare

The only item I would also add but one which I havent yet got, is a plexi reflective mirror.

SO, all the above items (apart from the Flare and SPOT) fit into this little blue nylon bag (the pen is for scale purposes but I always have one in my flight deck anyway) and once packed away, it looks like this: Amazing!

It measures 16x11x4cm.
It weighs 665grams.
It could save your life.

REMEMBER: ballast up with a First Aid and Emergency Kit, first. PLEASE!

29 August - Message this morning from Guy

Whilst driving towards the Aravis this morning in the sunshine, I received this lovely message from Guy. He must have sent it in the early hours of the morning US time. It was such a lovely surprise and I  was not anticipating a reply to mine sent when he was on his way to hospital, at least, not until he had at least got back to the UK. And I am sure that he will need a PR by the time everyone has finished the inquisitions!

His message reads:
"Hi, I think I may become a spot salesman! Thanks for the message and support all very much appreciated. I may not have wind the PWC but at least I won the world Hide and Seek competition! Put me down for a place on the next comp safety panel. ATB. Guy".

It's great to know that Guy is on the mend and has obviously not lost his sense of humour!
We all wish him a speedy recovery and to have him back home soon with his family.
I'll keep posting on this blog with further news if,as and when.

29 August - Update from Russ Ogden on Guy Anderson (Français/English)

Hello,
I received the email below from Russ Ogden this morning at 08h41french time. The news is a fantastic relief to everyone and it cannot be stressed enough what a phenomenal job the S&R did over there. Thanks to Russ for all his efforts and for relaying this happy ending account of the current situation:
Je viens de recevoir cet email de Russ Ogden ce matin at 08h41 heure française. Les nouvelles sont fabuleux et un soulagement pour tous et il n'y a pas de mot pour expliquer le travail phénoménal que l'équipe de Secouristes ont fait. Version française ce-dessous: 

"Im just back from seeing Guy in hospital, he is doing just fine and is in great spirits, his usual jovial self. 

He has a stable fracture of the pelvis, 6 broken ribs, a broken humur (at the top near shoulder), a lacerated kidney and cuts and bruises around his face. They have not operated on his shoulder yet as they have to wait for the swelling to go down, they expect Thursday. Everything else will heal in its own time and is not serious. In the meantime he is enjoying some great pharmaceuticals! :-)

He had an epic experience, to put it mildly. 2 nights out in freezing conditions enduring thunderstorms, rain, severe pain, hallucinations and moments of delusion. He was not at his wing when we found him, after the first night he decided to get himself out and managed to walk with all the above injuries about 2 miles in 2 days through pretty difficult terrain. He was in a bit of a state when we finally found him from the helicopter, walking with the aid of a big stick making 3inch steps with clothing draped over his head and his arm in a makeshift sling. He had water and i am confident he would have kept going for another few days and saved himself without the massive SAR operation.

The guys here did an amazing job. I really dont think anyone else could have pulled it off they way they did. There were 100+ volunteers searching the (huge) search area on foot, 4x4s, motorcross bikes, horses, small aircrafts, big aircrafts and a Black Hawk helicopter (yeah baby!). Obviously we were all super relieved to finally find him, as we all thought he would be dead. I have never cried out of sheer relief before in my life and I was not the only one. We celebrated with a big party last night and lots of people got very, very drunk. We really owe a massive debt to our colonial friends who made a heroic effort to find our friend.

Thank you guys for what you did, you raised a load of cash in a very short amount of time and even though it wasn’t used it was inspiring for us on the ground to know we had the support if needed. Guy also says a MASSIVE thank you to you all. Nick will reject/repay all the payments, but give him a few days to make that happen.

Sorry for the delay of news but we are all completely exhausted, having just a few hours sleep since Saturday. Great vibe amongst the flying community here with everyone very upbeat. I am coming home tomorrow a happy man."

Je traduis pour mes amis français:
Je viens de rentrée de visiter Guy a l’hôpital, il vas bien est s’est retrouver son bon esprit habituel.

Il a eu une fracture stable du bassin, 6 côtes cassées, un humour cassé (en haut près de l'épaule), un rein lacéré et coupures et des ecchymoses autour de son visage. Les medecins n'ont pas encore fait une operation de son épaule car ils doivent attendre qu’il se dégonfle et vont revoir cela ce jeudi. Le reste de son corps va se guérir ainsi que ses autres blessures superficielles. En attendant, il profite de certains produits pharmaceutiques géniaux! :-)

Il a vecu une expérience épique, et c'est un euphémisme. 2 nuits dans des conditions de gel, orages durables, la pluie, une douleur sévère, des hallucinations et des moments de délire. Il n'était pas à son aile quand on l'a trouvé. Après la première nuit il décide d’essayer de se sortir de là et a réussi à marcher malgé ses blessures d’environ 2 miles en 2 jours sur un terrain très difficile. Il était dans un était faibrile quand on l'a retrouvé, marchant à l'aide d'un gros bâton aux petits pas de quelques centimetres, il avait des vêtements drapés par dessus de sa tête et son bras en écharpe improvisée. Il avait de l'eau et je suis convaincu qu'il aurait pu continuer pendant encore quelques jours pour se sauver sans le vaste opération de Recherche.

Les équipes ici ont fait un travail incroyable. Je ne pense vraiment pas que n'importe qui d'autre aurait pu s’arracher et donné tant d’effort la façon dont ils l’ont fait. Il y avait 100 volontaires + hommes a pièds dans l’énorme zone de recherche, il y’en avait en 4x4, motos de motocross, chevaux, petits avions, grands avions et un hélicoptère Black Hawk (yeah baby!).

Évidemment, nous étions tous très soulagé de l'avoir enfin trouvé, car nous l'avons tous pensé qu'il serait mort. Je n'ai jamais pleuré de pure soulagement de toute ma vie et je n'étais pas le seul. Nous avons célébré avec une grande fête hier soir et beaucoup de personnes se sont trouvés très, très ivre!. Nous avons vraiment une dette énorme envers nos amis américains, qui ont fait des efforts héroïque pour retrouver notre ami.

Merci les amis pour ce que vous avez fait, vous avez réussi a recolter une somme d'argent important dans un très court laps de temps et même si elle n'a pas été utilisé c'était inspirant pour nous, sur le terrain, à savoir que nous avions le soutien si nécessaire. Guy dit aussi un grand merci à vous tous.

Nick procéde soit au rejet/remboursement de tous les versements, simplement donnez lui quelques jours pour y arriver.

Désolé pour le retard de nouvelles, mais nous sommes tous complètement épuisés après quelques heures de sommeil depuis samedi. Super ambiance au sein de la communauté de vol ici avec tout le monde très optimiste. Je rentre demain un homme heureux. "