SAFA Skysailor Magazine

SKY SAILOR 19 September | October 2019 I had company, otherwise it was lonely skies and mostly solo hikes, therefore some flying buddies were very welcome. Before the Laas pass, after only 30km, we sud- denly all struggled – climbs got sketchy, the clouds dissipated into a blue hole and the easterly valley wind attacked us. Desperate not to lose a decent position, I opted to land high in a logged clearing to hike back up. Honestly, I felt completely disap- pointed to be on the deck so early. Austrian hills are dotted with hiking huts, and the one I landed near suddenly produced a bloke who came out yelling and waving his arms. I feared the worst until I realised he was super happy to see me as he herded me back to the hut where he introduced me to his five buddies around a picnic table. They produced a cask of wine from their hand carved fountain and insisted on handing me a beer and lunch. I had an amazing meal of cured meats, smoked fish, and fresh veggies, all of which came from their property and hunting trips. A jovial hour with my new buddies lifted my spirits before I had to leave to head up the slope behind the hut for a two-hour hike through the tree line to the top of the hill. I re-launched late from 2400m into a now smooth southerly and surfed the ridges for 40km to salvage the day. I landed at the last possible launch site, at the end of the ridge at Kameritsch, after a most surprising day that eked out 80km before my last day into Villach. I camped under a tree next to my last launch site with a view to the Slovenian border atop the opposite ridge and ate everything I had left in the food bag. After my last flight punching into wind, I hiked to the Slovenian border in the strengthening southerly for a symbolic photo. I returned to a mountaintop café, had a beer overlooking Villach, and reflected on the 1000km trip as a whole. Some stunning flights, some disappointing flights, relentless hiking and navigation, and What would I change? Having done a long traverse, I think my next few trips will be some shorter missions – lighter and more minimalist. The 22kg pack made the long traverse possible, but was cumbersome, and every step is laborious – I’d prefer to go light and fast, and take a super light kit with minimal gear and make shorter journeys, over a four or five day window when the right weather presents. With the super light flying gear now on the market, driven by the XAlps, and only the basics of camping and travel gear, I think it is possible to carry only 11-12kg, making more hiking easier and more enjoyable, and higher launches much more accessible. To try and cross just France, or just Switzerland, is then readily possible with no transport and over a few days with a good weather window. That might have to wait until next year, but thankfully, the mountains will still be waiting. All photos: Gavin Zahner