Now or never, a photo from Gandaki, West

Photographer's Note

‘Pokhara - Now or never’

On previous journeys I was sometimes in places where you could paragliding.
It often appealed to me but most of the time the price was quite high and frankly, every time I had not enough courage.

When preparing my trip to Nepal, I also read about the possibilities of paragliding in the Himalayas.
This time I was determined. Now or never, I thought. After all, the location was particularly challenging. Only a high price could keep me from my decision.

You can book the paragliding trip that I made in different travel agencies and hotels in Pokhara.
From this tourist city you will be taken to somewhere in the area of Sarankot where the tour starts and you float first over the mountains and then over the Phewa Lake to finally land on its shores.

In retrospect, it was rather silly to be afraid of such a trip.
With a tandem flight you float with an experienced pilot who controls the coloured sail.
Everyone can make a tandem flight. All you have to do is take a few steps at the takeoff before the sail pulls you up into the air. At the end you follow the pilot's instructions to land on both feet. For those who want to know, I landed (sofly) on my butt :)

The experience is certainly worth repeating.
Actually crazy that I could have done it on so many places before and that I only did it for the first time after I turned 64.
The longer journey that I wanted to make on the occasion of my retirement, however, offered me several opportunities to do things for the first time in my life. Better late than never :)

During the flight the pilot took pictures with a selfie stick.
I think TE allows to post in the WS photos taken by others.
The main photo and another one in the WS are the pictures I took with my camera.

The mountain with the sharp peak you see in the main photo is the Machapuchare (meaning ‘Fishtail’ in Nepali).
It’s one of the most recognizable mountains in the Himalayas.
Its altitude is 6.993 meters and the Machapuchare has supposedly never been climbed to the summit.
This mountain can be seen during the Mardi Himal trek or the Annapurna Base Camp trek (for the bravest among us and I’m thinking of another TE member who dreams of a trek in a few months).

Fis2, holmertz, Royaldevon, pierrefonds, jhm, worldcitizen, COSTANTINO, macjake, sacimar, lucasgalodoido ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

ikeharel (112475) 2020-07-23 0:39

A fantastic four pictures from a great advanture, Paul.
The sight on the main picture is exceptional, and the idea to do this was a real courageous on your side ( I would not dare to do...).
A very imposing highlight of your journey, I guess.
Have a nice new day,
Ike

Fis2 (169791) 2020-07-23 0:40

Witaj Paul!
Wonderful view, excellent shot.
I like framing, composition and colors.
Well done.
Good morning my friend.
Krzysztof

holmertz (102042) 2020-07-23 1:00

Hello Paul,
The WS are interesting and amusing and the main photo is a fairly perfect composition. It may be partly thanks to luck, but who cares? It's a very good photo. The paraglider and the sail are perfectly placed where they are well seen and don't hide any of the spectacular scenery. I love the contrast between the green and fertile hillside and the distant snow-covered peaks.
I have never tried this and considering the current global situation I am sure I never will. But I loved going by a very small helicopter, so I might have enjoyed this too.
Best regards,
Gert

lousat (138655) 2020-07-23 1:39

Hi Paul,surely a great and unforgettable experience!! I'm jealous of that,but i suffer of vertigo and i think that it will be only a dream for me. Your pics are fantastics,no needs a drone..ehehe...and i feel all your emotions with these wonderful views. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Royaldevon (85638) 2020-07-23 3:12

Hello Paul,

Amazing photographs and very useful notes to accompany them! I took a deep breath for you!

Wow! It might have taken a long time to make the decision but you now have the most amazing evidence and memories of this gentle glide in the region of the Himalayas!
I am in awe looking at your photographs!
I can't see any panic, it just appears a wonderful experience.
Comments like - two eyes are not enough, tell so much about how you felt!

Thanks for sharing these,
Bev :-)

foxy (3447) 2020-07-23 3:32

Hi Paul,
WOW! That's what I called having fun ( I never expected that ). Now - you've proved you're still alive, Never - never say never, would you do that again. It's also something like 'Try Before You Die' version. Have you tried Bungee Jumping?
What a view to remember of the 'Fishtail' - Stunning and Majestic. Definitely a scene to die for. An unforgettable memory for you.
I like WS2 - the face of the day for me - 'Ik vlieg met jou mee' maar zeker niet die landing :-)
Interesting to read your adventures in Nepal. Tfs.
Loong

Silvio1953 (220665) 2020-07-23 4:38

Ciao Paul, lovely composition with paraglide, wonderful natural colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

dta (98848) 2020-07-23 5:20

Hello PAul,
LA vue est admirable , avec ces constructions sur la montagne , les nuages , et ce merveilleux sommet en toile de fond . Mais avec le parapente superbement placé , c'est une composition extra-ordinaire.
Amicalement

pierrefonds (113634) 2020-07-23 6:21

Bonjour Paul,

Tu as bien capturé le déplacement du parapentiste. La prise de vue permet de voir les détails des montagnes et du parapente et du parapentiste. La qualité de la lumière embellit les couleurs. Bonne journée.

Pierre

jhm (211734) 2020-07-23 6:29

Dag Paul,

Het doet mij echt genoegen dat u de moed bij elkaar geraapt heeft om deze tocht te ondernemen.
Paul geld is een betaalmiddel en niet om de bank te sponsoren.
Dit beeld is gewoon mooi om naar te kijken.
Ik heb het nooit gedaan maar zou het zeker nu nog durven
Een van mijn buren heeft een dergelijk vliegtuig en kom hier vaak boven.
Mooie foto Paul, bedankt om te delen

Groeten,
John

Tue (91612) 2020-07-23 12:01

Hallo Paul,
Ik weet ook niet of ik nou meteen zou durven te paragliden, maar het moet natuurlijk wel spectaculair zijn, zeker in een omgeving als deze met de besneeuwde pieken van de Himalaya in de verte. Heel mooie foto met de paraglider hangend in het midden.
Lars

emka (157280) 2020-07-23 12:48

Hello Paul,

It's now or never,
come hold me tight,
(Elvis Presley).

I admire you were so brave. "In retrospect, it was rather silly to be afraid of such a trip" . I am silly - I would be scared to death. With me - never. But I can imagine what a fantastic experience it was. To fly like a bird, seeing these high peaks, covered with snow and lovely green rice terraces below. What was the height?
I was afraid to fly with Cesna over volcanoes in NZ, but finally I was happy (My flight there was much more expensive than yours) . in Cappadocia I was not sure if I would like to go by balloon. Finally, the wind was too strong.

Stunning pictures. I like to see you in WS. Pity you had no gopro attached to the cask, then you would have the whole adventure registered.

Best regards MAlgo

worldcitizen (15960) 2020-07-23 13:11

Hello Paul,
Great photos to go along with a great adventure! :-) The scenery and colorful sail in this main photo are great, and it's also nice to see some photos of you during your ride. With the mountains in the background, and all the scenery below, this was surely an unforgettable experience. Take good care!

PiotrF (54246) 2020-07-23 14:53

Hello Paul,
Amazing composition with coloured sail and beautiful mountains in background.
A very good composition with nice colours and good quality. Interesting picture in WS (with the peak Machapuchare in the background)
Fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr

COSTANTINO (115583) 2020-07-23 22:17

Hello dear friend
original version
here we can see one of your best
photos and a unique flight
you have a great courage dear friend
welldone
regards
Costantino

jemaflor (146330) 2020-07-23 23:45

Salut Paul,
Grandiose paysage entre colline and pic enneigé avec en point fort ce vol, quelle expérience je suppose ! Intéressantes note et Ws en complément de la vue principale, bravo !

macjake (98262) 2020-07-24 22:28

Hi Paul
hahaha...now that's a great selfie in the WS! I'm happy for you that you finally decided to pull the trigger and do this, if not, it would be haunting you more and more. Good for you!
Not sure about the safety records of these paragliders, but hey, if you wanna do it, do it! wonderful main post with the mountains clearly in view and not blocked for the paraglider. Awesome TE post! cheers
Craig

rychem (72187) 2020-07-25 3:03

A fantastic view of the mountain landscape, a very nice series of photos, it is an amazing experience to see it all from above
regards Ryszard

kasianowak (17672) 2020-07-25 10:16

Hi Paul
Why do I seem to think you mean me in the last sentence of your note? ;-)
Fabulous adventure, you must be really glad you decided to go for in eventually. It doesn't feel so scary flying with an experienced pilot, I remember thinking that when I was in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia. Most probably less dangerous than me cycling in the streets of London.
You presented us with a fine reportage made of three well-selected highly informative photos. The main one is a masterclass in composition with the arc of the colourful sail creating a perfect frame for Machapuchare. Great balance between the landscape in the middle distance, the snow-covered mountains and the sky.
Best wishes
Kasia

sacimar (38173) 2020-07-26 7:11

Hello Paul,

I have to do that! great image of paragliding, the views are spectacular, it is a perfect place to do that, I guess it was a great experience, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2020-07-31 8:03

Olá Paul,
muito bonita essa fotografia, a paisagem, cores e o esportista ficaram sensacional nessa composição. Belo trabalho.
Parabéns e Abraço,
Lucas