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DaveT.
Big Wall climber
Mammoth Lakes
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Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 10, 2014 - 02:38pm PT
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Yeah, yeah. I know, this is not climbing related. But it is in the Alps, and we sure flew over a lot of climbs!
Hi guys, it's me again trying to share some adventure stories with you. This one is about my summer in the Alps, where I flew my paraglider across the range and back- taking Tawny on the return voyage. Lots of nice pics and videos in this one, but it is a bit lengthy.
Here is a short paragraph from my website with some info-
''We are back in the U.S. after an amazing summer in the Alps, having hiked and flown 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) across the entire Alps mountain range and back without any support or assistance of any kind! It took me 18 days of hiking and flying alone to make it from the beach in Nice, France, to arrive all the way in Slovenia at the eastern end of the Alps. Then Tawny came and met me with the lightweight tandem, and we turned around and flew back to Nice against the headwind and bad weather in another 42 days! Yay!''
Click on the link and check it out!
http://sierraparagliding.com/alps-vol-biv-expedition-2014/
Dave Turner
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John M
climber
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Nov 10, 2014 - 02:45pm PT
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I still get a kick out of thinking about you flying all the way across the Sierra Nevada. I have hiked over a lot of what you flew over in a day. That would have blown my mind to be back in there and see you flying across. Love it!
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marty(r)
climber
beneath the valley of ultravegans
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Nov 10, 2014 - 03:03pm PT
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Again, pushing the fun meter well into the red! What's next? Thinking about the Karakoram?
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Don Paul
Big Wall climber
Aurora Colorado
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Nov 10, 2014 - 03:14pm PT
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Great work Dave, never heard of anyone doing this before. There is a paragliding guide named Shiraz Nasir based in Lahore, Pakistan. You should team up and cross the Himalayas.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Nov 10, 2014 - 03:18pm PT
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Geeze Dave.....do you ever rest?
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bluegreyguy
climber
sf, ca
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Nov 10, 2014 - 03:44pm PT
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wow that is super bad*ass Dave - pushing things forward as usual
are you still guiding in mammoth?
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DaveT.
Big Wall climber
Mammoth Lakes
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 11, 2014 - 06:23am PT
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Thanks guys! Yeah, it really was a lot of fun to complete this trip. It goes to show just what our little 'magic backpacks' are capable of. Such a fun sport.
I'm still always surprised that there are not more climbers who fly, the mentality and engagement factor are quite similar. Join in and come fly!
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son of stan
Boulder climber
San Jose CA
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Nov 11, 2014 - 09:42am PT
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I am flabbergasted and could not spell the word without spll-chk!
DaveT well done! Absolutely! To fly off into the void is the ultimate
human adventure. Beta and topos rip off the modern climber from the adventure we all really crave. You grabbed it and flew away! Thankyou!
Thankyou! Thankyou!
-Stan
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Nov 11, 2014 - 11:10am PT
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Wow, very cool. I should look you up for a tandem flight the next time I'm in the Sierra, that is, if you aren't flying around the world :-)
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JakeW
Big Wall climber
CA
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Nov 11, 2014 - 02:54pm PT
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Nice Dave! Sounds amazing. The 42 day romantic return trip is all time RAD!
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Splater
climber
Grey Matter
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Nov 11, 2014 - 03:35pm PT
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So inspirational!
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Darwin
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Nov 11, 2014 - 06:42pm PT
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Credit for an awesome story. I just stated it, but I bet I'll read the rest a couple times.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Nov 11, 2014 - 07:17pm PT
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great adventure story, hats off to Dave and Tawny for a remarkable voyage. Thanks for bringing us in on it!
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Nov 11, 2014 - 07:21pm PT
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That sure looks like fun but as a sailplane pilot I'm afraid of committing
to a wing that you can stuff in a pack. ;-) At least in Europe I bet nobody
hassled you like the SEKI tools did.
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Nov 11, 2014 - 07:26pm PT
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WOW, incredible journey.
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ryankelly
Trad climber
el portal
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Nov 11, 2014 - 08:16pm PT
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toggle monkey!!! yeah Dave
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JakeW
Big Wall climber
CA
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Nov 12, 2014 - 07:30am PT
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Just read the blog and also about the Sierra trip earlier in the year. Awesome and pleasant sounding adventures! Psyched you're having so much fun Dave! All those pics of grassy Alpine hillsides, cappucinos, big air, and beers made me tear up with nostalgia. The Alps and Dolomites are so nice!!!
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bhilden
Trad climber
Mountain View, CA/Boulder, CO
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Nov 12, 2014 - 10:10am PT
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Looks like an incredible adventure! I did that basic route by bike. It took about the same amount of time. Bonatti did that route(in the opposite direction) in winter via skiis in 1956 in about 60 or so days.
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
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Nov 12, 2014 - 03:11pm PT
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Wow Dave pretty incredible! :O
*Crossing the Sierras in a paraglider
*Flying the length of the Sierras in a paraglider, Vol Bivouc
*and now the same in the Alps.
Pretty incredible record Dave.
You are a "SkyDemigod" in the free-flight world for sure. Congrats. :)
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rockermike
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Nov 15, 2014 - 09:05pm PT
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bump; very cool....
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