Vol-bivouac specialists Antoine Laurens and Eddie Colfox of Himalayan Sky Safaris are looking for pilots to join their vol-biv expeditions in the French Alps in May 2015.
Two fully-supported (there-and-back) vol-biv adventures are planned, from the Mediterranean to the heart of the French Alps. The trips are open to pilots who are proficient thermallers.
The plan is to start in Gourdon, near the French coast, on 15 May and head to Chamonix to arrive around 22 May; the return expedition will set off from Chamonix on 24 May and aim to be back in the south of France by the end of the month.
The target audience for the Alpine adventure is quite wide as we work in close guide to pilot ratios, i.e. 1:3 or 1:1 and charge according to the ratio. However all pilots are expected to be OK at thermalling and following their guide.
We expect to show people the way and to help them find the climbs in the air. We will be assisting the pilots both in air through air-to-air radio, and before and after each flight with briefings. Obviously we can provide more assistance on the 1:1 ratio which is also more expensive.
The approximate itinerary, subject to all the provisos but with all the best will in paragliding is:
15 May: Arrivals and collections from Nice, Marseilles or Montpellier. Go to Gourdon and wild camp
16 May: Fly Gourdon – Col de bleine, wild camp or stay with Ulric Jessop B&B accommodation at St Auban
17 May: Fly Greoliere or Col de Bleine to St Andre les Alpes. Camp in campsite
18 May: Fly St Andre – St Vincent-les-forts. Wild camp
19 May: Fly St Vincent – Col De Noyet. Wild camp
20 May: Fly Col de Noyet – ?
21 May: Fly ? – Annecy. Stay in campsite
22 May: Fly Annecy – Chamonix. Stay in hostel?The return is the same in reverse:
23 May: Pickup Chamonix and Sallanches
24 May: Fly Chamonix – Annecy
25 May: Fly Annecy – ?
26 May: Fly ? – Col de Noyet
27 May: Fly Col de Noyet – St Vincent-les-forts
28 May: Fly St Vincent – St Andre-les-Alpes
29 May: Fly St Andre – Greolieres or Col de Bleine
30th Fly Col de Bleine or Greolieres – Gourdon
Drop off on 30/31 May
Interested pilots should email Eddie with a resume of their flying experience, wishes and aspirations, or Skype (Eddie Colfox).
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