VON WEST NACH OST

I’m really sore today, the long march to Bovec got to me. The weather is great for walking, terrible for flying: windy, cloudy enough, not raining. I hike from Kobarid to Tolmin. It’s only three hours or so, but my pack feels heavy and my legs ache. Not to mention my shoulders....

Recovering from yesterday’s long haul I enjoyed breakfast at the Thirsty River Brewery. After catching up on my correspondences, I met up with Tamara & Nico for lunch. Initially, I had written off flying today, but the weather started clearing up at noon. And how strong...

I started walking before nine. Almost 20 km from Hermagor to Vorderberg. And then 1500 m up the mountain. By the time I reached Oisternig summit, the wind was too strong to consider launching, and I was wasted. Though tomorrow’s not looking great, I’ll catch some rest and try...

From the moment I landed at Eggershof, I got smothered in a wonderful bath of hospitality and friendliness. After a hearty breakfast, Beate, my host, gave me a ride up towards their Almhütte. She was heading up to turn the hay, and took me a bit further. After 40 minutes walk I...

I’m making headway. Flying was not pleasant today. Better than walking? All the while. After consulting with my buddy Nico, I trotted over to Trens and hiked up to a launch. The wind was fine, but I felt I’m too low, only 400 m above the valley. I felt my motivation shouldn’t...

I get up early and check the weather. It was supposed to be flyable but isn’t. A friendly shepherd takes me up to Timmelsjoch. 600 sheep in his care. Cloudbase is below the pass height, it’s cold, and it’s blowing across the pass to the south. 5 hPa pressure gradient, not 3 hPa...

Schönjoch sits at 2400 m asl above the massive Austrian ski resort of Fiss-Serfaus. I take the cable car up to get ready for an early start. Hefty thunderstorms have been forecast for the early afternoon. I launch and easily make some height, but not much. I make a go towards...

August 15, 2020: “Austrian Headwind” [DAY 14] Yesterday I called Simon and Pescha, to seek local guidance from guys who know the Oberengadin well. The launch I’m aiming for - Muntischè - will be exposed to the north-westerly pouring over the pass. They advise me to give it...

It was raining all morning. I used that to catch up on work - with a number of telephone conferences. Kind of surreal sitting on a bed in a hotel room in the mountains, wearing board shorts and a merino T-shirt discussing matters of nuclear security.Once the rain eased, I...

There’s something about not knowing where or how your day will end. Will it be in a hotel room? Or alone outdoors? Will be in a hospital? And there’s something disconcerting about knowing that between now and the end of the day you’ll be doing something you’re afraid of. Most...