Mountaineering and paragliding | Information, risks, equipment tips

More and more mountaineers, alpinists, and climbers are taking up paragliding because combining the two worlds opens up entirely new horizons. In this article, we summarize what you need to know about paragliding, the risks associated with the sport, how to develop the necessary know-how for safe flights, and which equipment is best suited for your future mountain adventures.

You will learn that in this article

• Concepts Hike & Fly, Climb & Fly and Volbiv
• Risks of paragliding
  • Where are the dangers lurking when paragliding?
  • How can the risk be reduced?
• What material do you need?
• How do I find out about the weather and wind? What apps and portals are available?
• How do I learn to paraglide? How can I continue my training?

Hike & Fly, Climb & Fly concept

The initial enthusiasm for paragliding among alpinists and climbers has also spread to passionate mountain sports enthusiasts in recent years. Record project of the two Swiss Peter von Känel and Chrigel Maurer (xPeaks) The idea of ​​combining paragliding with mountaineering is known to a wide audience, as numerous newspapers and TV stations have reported on the project.

The appeal of paragliding to the mountainside, only to then cover the last few meters of the summit on foot, is immense. Or consider the idea of ​​paragliding from one mountain hut to the next after a high-altitude tour. Or paragliding back down to the valley after a trail run on your local mountain. Brilliant, right? Such combinations are made possible by the great advances in paraglider design. The combination of these different sports has given rise to new concepts, including Hike & Fly and Climb & Fly.

Hike & Fly

Hike & Fly is a paragliding concept that combines the ascent on foot (hike) with the subsequent flight back to the valley (fly). This concept was made possible by lightweight equipment, i.e., paragliders with a low weight and pack size. lightweight harness in combination with a rescue parachute. Today’s training parachutes such as the Masala 4 by Skywalk weigh only 2.8 kilograms (size 70+). So-called single-skin umbrellas such as the Pace by Skywalk is even available from 1.05 kilograms.

Climb & Fly

The Climb & Fly concept goes a step further. As the name suggests, it combines the climbing or mountaineering experience with paragliding. It's not "just" about hiking or jumping to a simple summit, but rather about combining a challenging climbing or high-altitude tour with a paragliding flight. An extreme example of this is Roger Schäli's flight from Cerro Torre in Patagonia.

Volbiv

Bivouac flying, also known as bivy flying or volbiv, involves covering a longer distance with a paraglider over several days. Sleeping takes place outdoors, usually at higher altitudes, so that the flight can be continued directly the next day. The necessary equipment is therefore carried along and is as lightweight as possible. The "Equipment" section lists the necessary equipment. For volbiv flights, a lightweight sleeping bag, possibly a lightweight tent, and lightweight dishes and cooking utensils are also required. The following high-quality, ultralight products are recommended for volbiv flights.

Risks of paragliding

Paragliding, like climbing, ski touring, or mountaineering, is associated with certain risks, but is not classified as a high-risk sport. At least not "classic" paragliding. A closer look at insurance ratings, such as SUVA, reveals the following: A sport is considered risky if an absolute risk is taken. non-exhaustive list For example, SUVA classifies “speed flying” as a risk sport.

It's like riding a motorcycle

Anyone who asks how the risks of paragliding compare to ski touring, climbing and mountaineering will quickly come to the conclusion that flying is no more dangerous.

You can be cautious and safe on the road, or you can be risk-taking and expose yourself to danger.

In a non-representative survey of our private circle and professional mountaineers, paragliding was repeatedly compared to motorcycling: "You can be cautious and safe, or you can be risk-averse and expose yourself to danger." Everyone agreed that safety in paragliding is strongly influenced by your own behavior.

Where are the dangers lurking when paragliding?

1. Changing to a higher-class paraglider too quickly
2. Flying in strong winds
3. The take-off and landing phases are particularly prone to errors because there is little tolerance due to the low flight altitude
4. Incomplete preparation (meteo briefing, information on the flight area, etc.)

How can the risk be reduced?

Where there are dangers, there are also opportunities to reduce risk. Those who want to fly as accident-free as possible should prepare conscientiously for the flight, pay particular attention to the takeoff and landing phases, and only move on to the next wing category once they have gained sufficient experience. Generally speaking, as a pilot, you have to ask yourself whether the next higher category even makes sense.

Today’s A and Low-B wings already have very good flight characteristics.

Today's A and Low-B gliders already offer excellent flight characteristics – with high safety margins. You have to ask yourself: "Do I need a high-performance glider to increase my glide performance by a few percentage points?" Anyone who doesn't practice the sport professionally would honestly have to answer that question in the negative.

Equipment | Paraglider, harness, variometer, helmet, backpack, clothing

Which paraglider is suitable for what? What equipment do paraglider pilots who are currently or will be flying in the Alps need? Anyone considering starting paragliding is faced with numerous questions.

🪂 1. Paraglider

• Which paraglider for what?

Anyone who begins gliding in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria must obtain a corresponding license. Therefore, going to the local flight school is the first step. In the Eastern Switzerland region, the flight school is Freewings focused on the Hike & Fly concept and regularly organizes high-altitude tours and bivouac flights.

To begin with, you fly an A-wing, also called a training wing. This is less prone to errors and malfunctions. We recommend the Masala 4 by Skywalk, which is a lightweight A-wing that still offers good flight characteristics in thermal flights. You'll enjoy flying this wing for a long time, even after completing your training!

• When does it make sense to switch from the A-wing to the next higher class?

It's difficult to give a general answer to this question. Generally, it's not advisable to switch to a higher-class wing too early. The paragliding school Freewings recommends at least 200 high-altitude flights before switching to a B-wing. Of course, not only the number of flights matters, but also the duration of the flight.

If you feel that the time has come to change your wing, it is best to talk to your flight school.

If you regularly undertake longer cross-country flights after successfully completing your pilot's license, you'll gain more experience than if you only do shorter flights. If you feel the time has come to change gliders, it's best to talk to your flight school. They know your abilities and flight history and can give you their recommendations.

---

🪑 2. Harness (Hike & Fly harness)

The seat harness and the cocoon/reclining harness are the two main types of harnesses used in paragliding, and each has specific applications and advantages. During training, you will fly with the seat harness.

Seat harness: When is it useful?

For beginners and all-rounders: Seat harnesses such as the Core or Breeze Skywalk's are standard in training and suitable for most recreational pilots. They offer an upright seating position, high stability, and easy handling. This makes them particularly safe and comfortable, especially during takeoff and landing..

Comfort and versatility: They are versatile, offer plenty of freedom of movement and are suitable for thermal flights, pleasure flights and occasional cross-country flights.

Safety: Sitting upright facilitates handling in turbulent air and reduces the risk of twists in collapses. This makes it particularly attractive for less experienced pilots or for flights in challenging terrain..

Easy handling: Getting into the harness after takeoff and getting up before landing are straightforward, which increases safety.

Reclining harness: When is it useful?

Experience required: Reclining harnesses such as the X-Alps by Skywalk are more challenging to handle, especially during extreme flight maneuvers. The risk of twists is higher, and the behavior in collapses is more dynamic. Therefore, they should only be used by experienced pilots who have completed appropriate safety training.

For cross-country and competition pilots: Reclining harnesses are aerodynamically optimized and offer significantly less drag thanks to the reclining position and the cocoon. This results in better glide performance (approximately 1 point better glide ratio) and reduced sink rate – which can be crucial for long-distance flights or competitions.

Cold protection and comfort on long flights: The leg bag protects against the cold, which is a real advantage during long flights at high altitudes.

Comparison table: Sitting harness vs. lying harness

feature	seat harness	Reclining harness (Cocoon)
Position	Upright, legs hanging freely	Lying down, legs in leg bag
target audience	Beginners, leisure, all-round	Cross-country pilots, competition, professionals
aerodynamics	Higher air resistance	Low air resistance, better performance
Comfort	High, especially in handling	Very high on long flights, cold protection
Safety	Stable, low risk of twisting	More demanding, higher twist risk
handling	Simple, uncomplicated	Requires experience and training
Typical use	Thermals, enjoyment, training	XC, cross-country flight, competition

• When does it make sense to switch to a reclining harness?

As with paragliding, switching to a harness only makes sense after gaining sufficient flying experience. It's best to consult your flight school to determine when the time is right.

---

🪂 3. Rescuer (rescue parachute)

In paragliding, there are various types of reserve parachutes that differ in shape, function, and handling. The most important variants are:

Round canopy (classic emergency parachute)

• Most traditional and most widespread design.
• Easy to pack.
• Usually opens gently, but can be a little slower.
• Sinks vertically, but pendulum movements may persist for longer.
• Suitable for beginners and pilots looking for a straightforward solution.

Cross cap (square/“Square” umbrella)

• More modern development with a square basic shape and exhaust slots at the corners.
• Faster opening, lower sink rate, very stable.
• Better stability in flight than round canopies.
• Somewhat more demanding when packing, therefore regular inspection by experts is recommended.

Triangular cap (X-Triangle, Pentagon)

• Novel shape that combines the advantages of round and cross caps.
• Very stable, sinks vertically and is easy to handle.
• Partially steerable so that obstacles can be avoided.
• Particularly suitable for pilots who value stability and easy handling.

Controllable rescue parachutes (e.g. Rogallo)

• After opening, the pilot can influence the flight path and land in a targeted manner.
• Offer a certain forward movement and controllability, similar to a paraglider.
• Requires experience and training as handling and landing are more demanding.
• Especially suitable for experienced pilots or special applications (e.g. acro).

The choice of the appropriate reserve parachute depends on your own abilities, flying style and personal safety requirements.

---

🪖 4. Helmet

Which helmets are suitable for paragliding? What should you look out for? Many people wear climbing helmets, but does that make sense?

Only helmets specifically designed for paragliding and meeting specific safety standards are suitable for paragliding. The most important standard is the European standard EN 966 for flight helmets, which is specifically tailored to the requirements and accident scenarios of paragliding and hang gliding.

Climbing helmets are often used for paragliding because they are significantly lighter. However, it's important to be aware that climbing helmets aren't designed to protect against the dangers of flying, but primarily against falling rocks.

---

🧭 5. Instruments & Navigation

What tools are available? When does it make sense to use which tools and apps?

In paragliding, various flight instruments are used, depending on the level of experience and flying style. A central flight instrument is the variometer, which measures the vertical rate of climb or descent and is used to find and efficiently use thermals.

In addition to pure variometers, there are also combined devices (vario, GPS, altimeter) such as the Maxx from XC Tracer. Devices like the Maxx also have FLARM/FANET. FLARM is a collision warning system that is also used by airplanes and helicopters. FANET is a decentralized communications network that allows pilots to connect in the air.

In addition to the vario, most pilots now use their smartphones for navigation during the flight. Apps XC Track or Burnair/Burnair Go For longer flights, it's worth carrying a power bank, as the smartphone battery drains very quickly due to the live tracking (GPS) of these apps.

Summarized

• variometer XC Tracer Maxx
• smartphone
• App: For navigation, tracking, weather check: Burnair, Burnair GO, XC Track
• Powerbank: Essential for longer tours

---

🥾 6. Clothing, Hike & Fly Equipment

When paragliding, functional, weather-appropriate, and protective clothing is crucial, as you're exposed to wind and sometimes significantly lower temperatures in the air than on the ground. The following recommendations apply to optimal clothing.

basic principles

Onion principle (layer principle): Wear multiple layers of clothing to be able to react flexibly to temperature changes. Layers should be chosen to maintain freedom of movement..

Long, windproof clothing is also recommended in summer, as the wind (often about 35 km/h) can be very cooling.

Recommended clothing

• Lowest layer: Functional underwear that wicks moisture away from the skin and dries quickly.
• Middle layer: Insulating layer such as fleece jacket or wool sweater for warmth.
• Upper layer: Wind- and water-repellent jacket (e.g. softshell, hardshell or special paragliding jacket), if necessary with additional insulation (e.g. down or Primaloft jacket).
• Trousers: Long, windproof pants. Ski or down pants in winter.
• Shoes: Sturdy, ankle-high shoes with good tread. It's tempting to take to the skies in trail running shoes, but if you have to make an unplanned landing on rough or rocky terrain, you'll be glad you have good footwear.
• gloves: Depending on the season, thin or thick, lined gloves are best. Even in spring and summer, it gets very cold at 3 or 000 meters above sea level! More and more pilots are using heated gloves. The same applies to socks.
• Headgear: Wear a thin hat, balaclava or buff under your helmet, especially in winter for additional protection against the cold.
• Sunglasses or ski goggles: Protects the eyes from wind and UV radiation.
• Trekking poles: They help you climb and protect your joints on the descent if you can't take off or have to land in the middle of nowhere.

---

???? 7. Backpack

Lightweight backpacks made of Dyneema fabric are particularly suitable for hike-and-fly or full-fly flights. When it comes to size, it's best to opt for a larger version to ensure there's enough room for food and other gear in addition to your paragliding equipment.

Samaya Ultra 60 – Ultralight, waterproof, durable

The Ultra 60 is a backpack that is completely waterproof and ultra-light (560 grams). All attachment options (helmet, ice axe, etc.) can be attached modularly. If you don't want to buy two separate backpacks for paragliding and mountaineering, the Ultra 60 by Samaya well served.

Meteorology, apps, portals

It's difficult to make a general recommendation for weather apps, as there are numerous national providers. Here are the most important apps and portals:

• meteoblue is a weather service that provides highly accurate weather and climate data for any location worldwide. The service features detailed meteograms and weather maps with various variables such as temperature, precipitation, wind, and cloud cover.
• Winds.mobi is a website specially developed for paragliders and other wind sports enthusiasts, which clearly displays current wind measurements from numerous weather stations – especially in Switzerland and France.
• Burnair is a digital platform specifically for paragliders, providing comprehensive weather information, flight area information, and flight planning tools. At its heart is the burnair Map, an interactive map that clearly displays current live weather data, wind values, forecasts, takeoff and landing sites, thermal hotspots, leeward areas, and much more.
• Webcams Signs of cable cars, ski resorts, or other tourist attractions are valuable decision-making aids for paragliding. In some cases, they feature windsocks, which can be used to estimate wind strength and direction if there is no wind measuring station nearby.

Apprenticeship

Unlike climbing, anyone who wants to take up paragliding can't simply walk into a specialist shop, buy equipment, and take off. The sport is subject to clear rules established by the national civil aviation authorities and the respective sports federation.

Just trying it out, like climbing, isn't possible. Solid training is crucial.

Your flying career begins with a visit to the flight school of your choice. In Eastern Switzerland, we recommend Freewingswho specialize in Hike & Fly. The training costs approximately CHF 2. You have 500 months to complete the required number of courses at the paragliding school. Details about the training can be found at www.freewings.ch.

Once you've earned your paragliding license, it's time to diligently gain experience. At the same time, we recommend participating in safety training and regular continuing education courses (meteo, etc.). There's still so much to learn!

+ + +
Credits: Cover picture Cyrill Hertz