Munro Bagging by paraglider

In message <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] writes

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I posted this on uk.rec.climbing, but meant to post it here-

I'm wondering what the thinking is on munro bagging by paraglider. I'm
in the process of trying to complete the munros, but I recently took up

paragliding, and I'm thinking of using a paraglider to get to the
summit of some munros.

My question is this - if I carry my paragliding kit up a mountain
(weighing around 12-18kg) and use wind coming up a ridge and thermals
to stay up (like eagles do) once I'm in the air, if I fly from one
mountain to another, land and climb to the top, does this count towards

being a compleater? I wouldn't use any powered equipment of any kind.

For example - if the wind is westerly, climb the south ridge of Stob
Binnein from Inverlochlarig and launch from the top of the ridge. Use
the wind coming up the ridge to stay up, and land at the col with Ben
More. Climb both from the col then launch again and fly towards Cruach
Ardrain. Land near the summit, walk to the summit, then launch and soar

the ridge down to Beinn Tulaichean. Climb to the summit, then fly back
down.

Does this count? BTW, don't think it would be easy, this would be tough

to achieve.

What does everyone think of this. If I do a few munros this way, can I
still be an official compleater?

I think it is up to you. Anyone who applies to the SMC as a completer
has to satisfy themselves that they have done it. For example, you will
see from my sig that I am very close - however, I have nagging doubts
about Ben Avon - did I really go to the top in that whiteout - so I have
decided to go again at Easter, just to be completely sure. But if I
didn't who - other than me - would know.

In summary - it is between you and your inner self.

--
Martin Richardson
509/1554 Marilyns - 67% to go 60/89 Donalds - 33% to go
61/211 Irish Hewitts - 71% to go 283/284 Munros - 0.35% to go

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Quoted message said:

Hi,

I posted this on uk.rec.climbing, but meant to post it here-

I'm wondering what the thinking is on munro bagging by paraglider. I'm
in the process of trying to complete the munros, but I recently took up

paragliding, and I'm thinking of using a paraglider to get to the
summit of some munros.

My question is this - if I carry my paragliding kit up a mountain
(weighing around 12-18kg) and use wind coming up a ridge and thermals
to stay up (like eagles do) once I'm in the air, if I fly from one
mountain to another, land and climb to the top, does this count towards

being a compleater? I wouldn't use any powered equipment of any kind.

For example - if the wind is westerly, climb the south ridge of Stob
Binnein from Inverlochlarig and launch from the top of the ridge. Use
the wind coming up the ridge to stay up, and land at the col with Ben
More. Climb both from the col then launch again and fly towards Cruach
Ardrain. Land near the summit, walk to the summit, then launch and soar

the ridge down to Beinn Tulaichean. Climb to the summit, then fly back
down.

Does this count? BTW, don't think it would be easy, this would be tough
to achieve.

I certainly don't fancy hanging underneath one of these things. I'm sure
it's not easy but it sounds a bit like "if I remove a Munro (by digging :-)
and walk to the trigpoint does it count ?" I'm sure that would be an
enormous effort.
In the end, like Martin says, it's up to you. You could create your own
Munrocategory : a complete round without coming beneath the 3000ft
contourline.

--
"Beannachd leibh"

Theo
www.theosphotos.fotopic.net

Following up to [email hidden]

Quoted message said:

I'm wondering what the thinking is on munro bagging by paraglider. I'm
in the process of trying to complete the munros, but I recently took up
paragliding, and I'm thinking of using a paraglider to get to the
summit of some munros.

I think a round of *all* Munros by paraglider would be a unique
achievement, worthy of note. The Inn Pin!

Quoted message said:

My question is this - if I carry my paragliding kit up a mountain
(weighing around 12-18kg) and use wind coming up a ridge and thermals
to stay up (like eagles do) once I'm in the air, if I fly from one
mountain to another, land and climb to the top, does this count towards

being a compleater? I wouldn't use any powered equipment of any kind.

except wind power?
I don't think a *mixed* round would "count" really.
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-photos UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-photos Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I posted this on uk.rec.climbing, but meant to post it here-

I'm wondering what the thinking is on munro bagging by paraglider. I'm
in the process of trying to complete the munros, but I recently took up

paragliding, and I'm thinking of using a paraglider to get to the
summit of some munros.

I'm not entirely sure whether or not this would be legal. Much of
Scotland has restricted airspace of one sort or another. If you have
Google Earth then download the file UK.AIR.KMZ from
http://www.lloydbailey.net/google_earth.htm

You'll see that much of the Scottish hilly bits have airspace
restrictions down to ground level. The RAF have to practice somewhere
:-) You'll need a proper airmap to see exactly what the restrictions
are. Don't forget also that paraglider pilots are restricted to VFR
flying only, and therefore are not supposed to fly in cloud. Plenty of
that in Scotland :-)

There are several paragliding clubs in Scotland, I would suggest that
they would have a better idea of where it's possible to fly legally.

I'm not convinced I would enjoy carrying my 40+ lbs of paraglider up
3000ft mountain, but Skywings (the BHPA mag) carried a story about
someone attempting to do the 3 peaks 'walk' with a paraglider, carrying
it up and flying down, sometime last year (I think). IIRC the trip
down from Ben Nevis was a little 'hairy'!!

--
Dave McLaughlin

[censored] Sapiens Non Urinat In Ventum

Quoted message said:

I'm not entirely sure whether or not this would be legal. Much of
Scotland has restricted airspace of one sort or another. If you have
Google Earth then download the file UK.AIR.KMZ from
http://www.lloydbailey.net/google_earth.htm

Paragliding in Scotland is something I've been doing for three years.
Most of the Highlands are legal to fly in.

Quoted message said:

You'll see that much of the Scottish hilly bits have airspace
restrictions down to ground level. The RAF have to practice somewhere
:-)

I fly at weekends. Those of us who trained to fly in Scotland know that
the Highlands at weekends are free of the RAF, and so safe!

You'll need a proper airmap to see exactly what the restrictions

Quoted message said:

are. Don't forget also that paraglider pilots are restricted to VFR
flying only, and therefore are not supposed to fly in cloud. Plenty of
that in Scotland :-)

Never mind the law, basic airmanship covers that.

Quoted message said:

I'm not convinced I would enjoy carrying my 40+ lbs of paraglider up
3000ft mountain,

It makes coming down an absolute pleasure :-)

What I'm wondering, is if using a paraglider to grab some of the munros
would count towards being a compleator, as long as no artificial power
was involved.

Stuart

In message <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] writes

Quoted message said:

What I'm wondering, is if using a paraglider to grab some of the munros
would count towards being a compleator, as long as no artificial power
was involved.

Considering recent weather I am wondering whether the use of a kayak
would count?
--
Martin Richardson
509/1554 Marilyns - 67% to go 60/89 Donalds - 33% to go
61/211 Irish Hewitts - 71% to go 283/284 Munros - 0.35% to go

[email hidden] wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You'll need a proper airmap to see exactly what the restrictions

Quoted message said:

are. Don't forget also that paraglider pilots are restricted to VFR
flying only, and therefore are not supposed to fly in cloud. Plenty of
that in Scotland :-)

Never mind the law, basic airmanship covers that.

VFR implies "Not above 1500ft".
--
Gordon Harris

Gordon said:

[email hidden] wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You'll need a proper airmap to see exactly what the restrictions

Quoted message said:

are. Don't forget also that paraglider pilots are restricted to VFR
flying only, and therefore are not supposed to fly in cloud. Plenty of
that in Scotland :-)

Never mind the law, basic airmanship covers that.

VFR implies "Not above 1500ft".

No it does not.

see (1.6Mb download):-
<http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=64&pagetype=90&pageid=5537>

In fact the only references in the rules to 1500 ft are both not /below/ 1500 ft
- bird sanctuaries and built-up areas.

Geo

Geo <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Gordon said:

[email hidden] wrote

Quoted message said:

>
You'll need a proper airmap to see exactly what the restrictions
> are. Don't forget also that paraglider pilots are restricted to VFR
> flying only, and therefore are not supposed to fly in cloud. Plenty of
> that in Scotland :-)

Never mind the law, basic airmanship covers that.

VFR implies "Not above 1500ft".

No it does not.

see (1.6Mb download):-
<http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=64&pagetype=90&pageid=5537>

In fact the only references in the rules to 1500 ft are both not
/below/ 1500 ft
- bird sanctuaries and built-up areas.

After many years of listening to Aircraft Radio I have never heard a
light aircraft on VFR told: "Not below 1500ft"!

They may be allowed occasionally up to 2000ft, but only in scattered
cloud conditions, and the usual instruction is "Not above 1500ft on the
QNH".

Of course I live about 8 miles from Manchester Airport, and probably
within their controlled airspace, so that might have some bearing, but
without instrument qualification they surely have to remain in sight of
the ground?
--
Gordon Harris

Gordon said:

After many years of listening to Aircraft Radio I have never heard a
light aircraft on VFR told: "Not below 1500ft"!

They may be allowed occasionally up to 2000ft, but only in scattered
cloud conditions, and the usual instruction is "Not above 1500ft on the
QNH".

Of course I live about 8 miles from Manchester Airport, and probably
within their controlled airspace, so that might have some bearing, but
without instrument qualification they surely have to remain in sight of
the ground?

Your location is the problem - there is a low level corridor which allows
traffic past Manchester.
In other uncontrolled airspace there is no such limitation - otherwise flights
in Scotland would be well nigh impossible. It is just necessary to remain clear
of airways and some other areas.
For 10 miles round Edinburgh for example the normal clearance is not above 2000
ft but transiting aircraft will normally be alowed 3000 ft. Once to the North
e.g. in the Loch Leven area there is no limit and I have been up to 11000 ft
quite legally.

Geo