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Calm is the moment before wind changes direction

Story by hard-charging KAVU'er, Liz Freeman

By KAVU

December 13^th, 2017

I've been base-jumping for 5 years and flying the Alps throughout Europe for 3 years. So far, it's been the best experiences of my life...like summer camp for adults.

Don’t tell too many people but there is no better feeling than flying a wingsuit in the mountains with your friends. Usually, I go with the KAVU team - Scotty bob and Hartman but this time, was my time to leave the nest on a solo flight. I am not condoning BASE-jumping alone, but I needed and felt ready to spread my wings on my own, far from my mentors’ nest. I needed to get current in wingsuit BASE on the road to recovery from a back injury in March and luckily, my best friend and mountain biker/skier extraordinaire, Dani O’Donnell signed up as ground crew, driver, energy healer and traveled to Europe with me to "see the sights".

Calm is the moment before wind changes direction

The first three days, we started out in Amsterdam. Arriving in Schiphol, all the bikes, canals and coffee shops was something else. Super friendly locals too.... unless you slow up their bike lane in ANY way. Texting and biking is a serious offense in this utopian-esque society.

The air BnB was a cute little houseboat in the jordaan area and made for a great place to chill out, ride bikes, and eat delicious pastries before heading off to "adventure land"

next stop, Geneva...

It is so beautiful in the fall with the leaves changing and the frost in the morning. Since the ground never heats up, the wind stays calm all day. Only a light thermal breeze kept the walls nice and lifty for mountain pilots. I needed to take my time before a BASE jump because of how physically and mentally challenging it can be to come back from an injury in extreme sports. Dani went to shred on the mountain bike with friends while I took in my surroundings, hiked the mountain and visualized the jump.

The day came to get re-current; winds were calm, no clouds, and positive vibes all around. Dani drove me up and hiked to the exit point with me. We hung out to settle into the calm. I felt ready...... 3,2,1, See ya! Honestly it has been 8 months since my last flight and felt like riding a bike, like the coolest, spaceship, rocket bike :-) Afterward, we had a 5-star lunch at the grocery store.

What a view!

next, Lauterbrunnen!

While in Switzerland - the "Happy Valley" - we met up with friends to get Dani a tandem paraglide flight....possibly with a wingsuit flyby?

Umm yes please!

Her last day, we hiked the Jungfrau, a 4-hour hike with incredible views, to a beautiful wingsuit mountain exit. This trip turned into the best week to celebrate turning 30 and new beginnings while embracing old friends!

more please!

I stayed on another week, traveling solo as the weather remained c’est parfait and everything seemed to fall into place. Luckily I connected with an old friend and amazing wingsuit pilot named Rob Herron. He and his wife kindly shared their lovely home with me.

I woke up with smoothies, coffee, kisses from Nanook the super-dog - all at the base of the most beautiful mountain. It felt like the heart beating in the valley. Rob guided me to some special jumps which, I have been eagerly waiting to experience. Good things come to those who are patient, I guess. A few flyers would join us each day and then, enjoy a glass of wine packing at night.

I’m still buzzing from those blissed-out evenings. Even though I thought I was traveling alone, I found myself nestled into a newly created tribe of like-minded individuals and realized, it’s not about the jump numbers, or experience, as much as it being about the human experience and connections we have with each other.

For me, mountains are gateways to the pursuit of happiness.

Can’t wait for more KAVU days!

Lizzy Freeman

Footnotes

Lizzy Freeman may be a hard charger, but her most KAVU attribute is her huge heart and love for life! Keep charging and follow Liz on more adventures!

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FootNotes

Lizzy Freeman may be a hard charger, but her most KAVU attribute is her huge heart and love for life! Keep charging and follow Liz on more adventures!

Havasupai 2025

Calm is the moment before wind changes direction

Story by hard-charging KAVU'er, Liz Freeman

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