New Trips for 2010

New for 2010 are Thermalling and XC in Kyrgyzstan and the Pamirs. Lobuche peak is the venue for the winter Himalayan trip. We expect to spend several days flying at Periche before making our ascent of 6100m Lobuche Peak - The early morning flight from the summit area should bring us to the landing area in the yek pastures of Periche village - Area of operations for the Flight over Everest. Details on our website.

Chamonix September - Flying the Midi

September brought fantastic flying conditions to the alps. A few days in Chamonix gave the chance of a flight from the Aiguille du Midi down and over the Vallee Blanche. Highly spectacular flying - see the video

Aiguille du Midi - Chamonix Mt Blanc from Terry Stubbs on Vimeo.

2009 - Surf's up for sure!

18th March 2009 saw excellent flying conditions on the Chabre - A 7m/s screamer above take off took me to 3200m real quick. The headcam lens frosted up at 3000m due to cold. Watch this space for more action from Laragne Chabre and the Alpes de Haute Provence

'08 - Great flying season

Though the weather has been mixed throughout many parts of Europe there can be no doubting the quality of the XC flights undertaken by Adventure Extreme Students. Several flights of 50k plus have been acheived by Pilots who previously have only flown 10-12k. CP qualifications have also been gained by more students than last year a testament to the settled periods of good flying weather. We are now into September with things looking good for the remainder of the season. November and December will find us back in the Himalayas for expedition flying and a new trip - the Post CP hour builder at Pokhara. Full details from our website at www.adventure-x.com

Mission Everest Success

The Mission Everest Expedition has been completed successfully. The first week of the expedition was marred by severe weather which made any type of flying activity impossible in the Khumbu region. However on Monday 14th May, Adventure Extreme CFI, Terry Stubbs woke early to find unexpectedly good flying conditions. He quickly woke the team and got the sherpa cook crew up and running. By 0820 Bear Grylls and Giles Cardoza were ready to launch, the Meteomodem Radio Sonde weather balloon giving light winds all the way up to 30,000ft. Bear had some initial difficulties getting airborne but got away on his third launch attempt. Gilo followed shortly after and both pilots climbed rapidly away. The flight was in many ways almost an anticlimax as it was completed with relative ease, the only problem being Gilos supercharger belt snapping at about 28000ft - He glided down to a safe landing at Periche. Bear continued to reach an estimated altitude of about 29500ft (none of his instruments were functioning by that time) from where he could look across the Lhotse wall down at Mt Everest. They had decided previously that they would not in fact fly actually over the peak for safety reasons and permit restrictions. By 10.30 both pilots were safely back in Periche and the helicopters arranged for an early departure for home.

The expedition is a considerable success for Parajet owner, Gilo who has managed to do what many said was impossible in designing a viable high altitude paramotor capable of cruising at over 29000ft. Great achievement for Parajet and a boost for sports aviation in general. It also leaves the challenge of a future flight over the actual peak of Mt Everest open for future protagonists.

Things hot up

Things are sure hotting up here in Provence - 25 degrees today and no sign of any change for the forseable. Flying last few days has been quite lumpy really with poor lift, not its normal self at all. The south landing field on the Chabre has seen its share of notable locals arriving unanounced, me included!!?? No pics I'm afraid - Too bouncy to let go the controls last day or so.
Expect more soon.

CFI Terry Stubbs joins Everest Team

Adventure Extreme CFI Terry Stubbs is to join the GKN Mission Everest team who are attempting to fly Paramotors over Everest this season. Team leader Bear Grylls asked Terry, who has previously flown in the Everest region many times, to provide additional on the spot training in handling the unique Himalayan conditions. Terry will also be assisting the team with his local knowledge and weather expertise. More soon..

Provence 16 March - Cloudbase 2800m

XC conditions continue to amaze here in Provence - Early season has brought excellent flying conditions with high cloudbase and strongish thermals. Temperatures at high altitudes are still somewhat nippy and that has so far been the limiting factor. Expect more....

Mission Everest - Dateline Chamonix

Mission Everest team filming with Discovery Channel in Mieussy - Left Neil Laughton - Centre Bear Grylls - In helmet Terry Stubbs - and right Gilo Cardozo

Adventure Extreme have been in Chamonix and Mieussy this last week training the team members of GKN Mission Everest to handle rough air flying conditions. Bear Grylls and the team asked us to help with preparations to their forthcoming attempt to paramotor over Mt Everest this May. The whole thing was filmed for Discovery Channel as they are making a 2 hour documentary of the adventure. Bear has asked Adventure Extreme's CFI Terry Stubbs, to join the Everest team in Nepal as a full team member in their attempt... Expect more.

14 March 2007 - 3300m - Provence

Wednesday 14 March brought the best flying day of the season so far. Take off on Chabre was at 1300 and a rapid climb to 2700m took me to the top of a blue thermal. A rapid flight to Col St John followed and another superb climb this time to 3300m. Cold was beginning to eat into me at that height so about face and back to Laragne. Overflew Laragne still at 3000m so continued to Vaumeilh where I landed at the airfield. Bring it on!