Trip Report
My First Attempt at Snowboard/Paragliding/Speed Flying... Slow Flying??
Wednesday January 12, 2011 12:17am
It's not a paraglider. It is not a speed wing. So i am not sure what to call it. Slow flying? Anyway, did my first run of "Snowboard Slow Flying" yesterday and, remarkable, it all went well.... except i choose a time of day when i was invisible once i got up in the air... next time.

Anyone seen photos or video of other people snowboarding with a speed wing or paraglider? i can't be the first with this terrible idea...

Thanks Del for the photos!

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Credit: Chris McNamara
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top left corner top right corner
Credit: Chris McNamara
bottom left corner bottom right corner

top left corner top right corner
Credit: Chris McNamara
bottom left corner bottom right corner

top left corner top right corner
Credit: Chris McNamara
bottom left corner bottom right corner

  Trip Report Views: 5,552
Chris McNamara
About the Author
Climbing Magazine once computed that three percent of Chris McNamara’s life on earth had been spent on the face of El Capitan – an accomplishment that left friends and family pondering Chris’s sanity. He has climbed El Capitan more than 70 times and holds nine big wall speed climbing records. In 1998 Chris did the first Girdle Traverse of El Capitan, an epic 75-pitch route that asks the question, “Why?”

Outside Magazine has called Chris one of “the world’s finest aid climbers.” He is the winner of the 1999 Bates Award from the American Alpine Club and founder of the American Safe Climbing Association, a nonprofit group that has replaced more than 5000 dangerous anchor bolts. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and serves on the board of the ASCA and the Rowell Legacy Committee. He has a rarely updated adventure journal, maintains BASEjumpingmovies.com, and also runs a Lake Tahoe home rental business.

Comments
slayton

Trad climber
Here and There
  Jan 12, 2011 - 12:25am PT
I'm not sure if the rig is the same but there are parafoils made specifically for boarding or skiing. I live about thirty miles from the White Pass summit between Skagway, AK and Whitehorse in the Yukon territory of Canada. White Pass is a mecca for kite skiing. Lots of snow on lots of frozen lakes and lots and lots of wind.

Check out Kite Yukon online and on Youtube.

Have fun and be safe!! Preferrably at the same time.

Sean
blackbird

Trad climber
the flat water trails...
  Jan 12, 2011 - 12:36am PT
SWEET!!

BB
Glover

Trad climber
Scotland
  Jan 12, 2011 - 12:37am PT
AWESOME FUN!!!
yo

climber
Mudcat Spire
  Jan 12, 2011 - 12:41am PT
Nice, Chris.

Check out this mayhem.

http://vimeo.com/17909042
Mitch Underhill

Trad climber
Lake Tahoe
  Jan 12, 2011 - 01:34am PT
Nice! I think this is a first in the Tahoe Basin...certainly on Flagpole. If it is not a speed wing and not quite a paraglider, what is it? And where can I take lessons???
this just in

climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
  Jan 12, 2011 - 09:55am PT
Good thinking. Shawn White got nothing on that big air. How did the landing turn out? Good enough I guess since I'm responding to your trip report. One word Chris......shiiiit yeah.Or was that two?
ulybaZZa

Trad climber
Bonn, Germany
  Jan 12, 2011 - 10:12am PT
Wow! Awesome idea. What's next? Wingsuited bobsleigh?
pud

climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
  Jan 12, 2011 - 10:46am PT
Speed flying has intrigued me for years.
If only I had the time, coin, huevos...

Looks like you are living the dream Chris!
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Author's Reply  Jan 12, 2011 - 02:29pm PT
Wingsuit bobsled, that is brilliant.
snakefoot

climber
Nor Cal
  Jan 12, 2011 - 04:33pm PT
Intrigued that you quit BASE and took up a more dangerous activity? glad you are alive.. keep it up.
Klimmer

Mountain climber
  Jan 12, 2011 - 09:39pm PT
Chris,

Glad to see you get into the very close cousin of paragliding. If this is not Speed Flying, and not exactly paragliding, then what is it?

With your dedication and skill I'm sure you will excell. Kinda like Will Gadd. Just about anything he does he does really well, like you.

Vol Bivouc. It's the future of climbing just like bigwalls and wingsuits.

Go high, go far, but be safe.
tooth

Trad climber
B.C.
  Jan 14, 2011 - 02:21am PT
Nice to see my harness getting so well used! Looks like fun Chris!!
Delhi Dog

climber
Good Question...
  Jan 14, 2011 - 02:54am PT
Looks fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gUxnlE_mwk&feature=related

survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Jan 18, 2011 - 01:04am PT
Great stuff adventure BUMP!!!
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Jan 18, 2011 - 01:27am PT
ANTI LEB BUMP
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