Paragliding was an all new kind of life experience for me. I once hyperventilated on our anniversary because I thought my husband was driving us to sky drive. Through tears I said, I need time to prepare, get my life affairs in order.
This time though, we planned a trip to Switzerland about a week before we set off. My husband went to Switzerland for a few weeks in college and has this amazing story of paragliding off the Swiss Alps. Not to be outdone, I decided on a whim that I needed to experience this firsthand. I found a paragliding company with good ratings based in Engelberg and naturally decided to one-up my husband’s fancy paragliding story, by oh about 10,000 feet. He was skeptical about my seriousness in this matter.
The night before the “big jump” I was restless, antsy, debating on whether to make those final goodbye phone calls to my beloved family.
Freeminds Paragliding met up with us in Engelberg and we took a cable car to a short hike to a ski lift to another short hike to our jumping spot. Did I mention that Engelberg is already basically on a mountain? It’s a quaint little ski town in an elevated valley between some enormous mountains–the kind we jumped off of.
Then you’re getting all snug in some gear and it’s just a 1,2,3.. RUN.
RUN OFF A MOUNTAIN. Sure, man, no prob.
I didn’t even think about it. Just did it. And it was amazing. Such an incredible thrill.
Honestly, afterward, I think the cable car was a little more nerve-racking. I mean if that little cable snaps, you’re in a metal box full of people slamming to the ground. Paragliding has a pretty secure looking parachute to ease me back down to the earth.
Urs, our expert paraglider extraordinaire, was amazing! He answered all my annoying questions and gave a wonderful tour of his hometown, via the sky! I highly, highly recommend his company. If you’re anywhere around Engelberg, make the trip and take the plunge! <click here to visit freeminds paragliding page>
^^look closely, I am upside down 🙂
^^this is the jump the hubs did before…amateur. 😉
13 Comments
So glad you conquered your fear! Wasn’t it just amazing? No better way to see the Swiss Alps 🙂
agreed! everyone should try it!!!
wow! very daring of you:)
indeed! haha!
this is amazing!!! So impressed you made the jump! You are truly taking advantage of all the opportunities abroad!
me too! it was frightening! and we are definitely trying our hardest to make the most!!
Fab pics once more, gorgeous scenery and the best way to see it.
agreed! nothing beats the view from the sky!
Kate paralgided into Rio, her pics are awesome – flying past the statue of Christ the redeemer! – she also jumped of the Himalayas, but she is Lara Croft’! She wants me to do it – and I think that Switzerland looks like the place for me to give it a go….
Absolutely! It’s gorgeous and very peaceful and serene up there!
I got to go paragliding in Interlaken a looooong time ago. It was a complete blast – until I realized I didn’t know how to land! Thankfully my guide was super helpful and we only partially wiped out on the landing.
Haha! I think its hard not to wipe out at least a little on the landing! 😉 It’s so beautiful paragliding in Switzerland though! Worth any wipe outs! 🙂