A predicted cloud base from over 4000 meters and not too much wind made the decision where to go flying rather difficult for him. A tough work week, and a crowded Antholzer vally nourished the idea to rely on his Nova Mentor 4 light - instead of the car to go flying in South Tyrol. The plan was to fly from his home mountain the “Predigstuhl” over the alpine main ridge, enjoy one night outside in South Tyrols impressive landscape and then to fly back the next day.
Day one – 23.06.16:
Christian started his adventure early that morning with a beautiful hike up to the launch site of the Predigstuhl. Once arrived at the top, quite stable conditions dominated and it took quite some time before thermals where strong enough! Unfortunately, the day was not what we would call fast and it took him over seven hot and sweaty hours before he reached the Pinzgau vally with his motivation at the bottom.
A short jump into water, a cool beer and a Pizza helped him to find his motivation again and he decided not to fly back home the next day and to try to reach South Tyrol from the Wildkogel first and then to fly back. He made himself a rather comfortable bed in an old barn and felt directly asleep.
Day two – 24.06.16:
Due to the hot weather, Christian decided to use the cable car to reach the launch at the Wildkogel instead of walking up the hill. Once arrived at the cable car’s top, a strong northerly wind greeted him and he decided to walk uphill to the top of the Wildkogel. The strong wind gave him a bit of time to enjoy a second breakfast before he took off at 11:30. Once airborne, he remembered again that the most important thing for the day was to fly high and save. After a couple of kilometres and an easy valley-cross (thanks to the north wind).
Christian passed the alpine main ridge around 13:30 next to the Großvenediger and from that point on, the flight became more than epic! After some hard fighting with strong valley winds in high alpine terrain the Ahrn-Valley next to the famous Grente and Speikboden, gifted him an absolutely insane cloud base of 4834 meters. What a reparation for the hot and slow Thursday! He set his turn point next to the Speikboden and followed the classy Grente track in direction of the Großglockner, but simply 1,000 metres higher than on a normal day. Next to the Großglockner, Christian reached once again the mark of 4,000 metres and with that altitude, crossing the alpine main ridge on the east side of Austria’s highest mountain, was no big deal. He followed the Rauris-Valley and finally crossed the Pinzgau-Valley again east of Zell am See. Unfortunately, he was not able to find some more thermals and had to land around 18:45 next to Saalfelden.
What remains today, around to weeks after this great adventure? The knowledge, that Cross Country flying is more than just fighting for points in an online contest and that even the biggest adventures can start right in front of your own door.
We say thanks to Christian, that he took us with him and showed us some of the most beautiful places in our beloved Alps! So pack your glider, stop complaining about the weather and go out for your own adventure (and stay safe).
If you want to read the whole story in german, than have a look at our teamblog!