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| In the mouth of the Glacier |
Today Christian and I ventured deep into the snow capped mountains, our destination the glacier Blanc. I thought that it would be a matter of arriving, taking a few photos and heading home. Christian however had much more grand plans. Although the glacier is receding due to possibly global warming it is still impressive from the air. When we arrived, we then went deep into the glacier's cul de sac with towering cliffs on all sides except the way we entered. Once at the far end of the glacier Christian pushed the nose down until we were skimming the snow lined surface scaring a family of deer to run across our path. Then we were off back into the valley carved by the glacier over the centuries. My cockpit video captured the evidence of my ear to ear smile.
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| Glacier Blanc and the 4100m peak of Barre des Ecrin |
Flying in the mountains is challenging. Dealing with 10 knot thermals efficiently and flying meters from rock faces requires far greater precision. It felt like learning how to glide all over again. There is much to learn but the rewards are so great. To fly over glaciers, to soar with eagles and vultures and to climb up the faces of mountains with off the clock lift is humbling.
Learning to glide for me is now a passport to seeing the world in a way that pedestrians can only dream of.
Rowan
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| Heading home |
