Our first stop was Golden, BC, as our friend Jon was there and was competing in the Willi XC Challenge which would be taking place just as we were leaving. He'd gone early to get some flights in so it was great to join him and to have two vehicles to ease the hassle of getting to launch and then retrieving a vehicle after flights.
Mount 7 (so named for the patch of snow, in the shape of a 7, that remains on the side of the mountain a good part of the year) is both a paragliding and hang gliding launch. The hang gliders can launch in much higher wind conditions so there were times we just watched and waited.
As did these little guys . . .
Andrew launching from the main launch area. Great views of the valley and the town of Golden.
Humorously, I couldn't figure out what the white "V" thing in the LZ was until I was landing and realized it was stones placed in the shape of the number 7.
Me launching. Photos only because I specifically asked Andrew to take some! For a photographer, he's not very keen on taking paragliding photos.
There is a second launch site that Jon took us to which was about an hour and a half hike up the ridge. It was nice to get in the hike and to launch from a higher point.
Looking back at the higher launch (clear spot at the top of the left ridge).
Jon coming in for landing.
