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Day Trip!!
Three friends head to the desert in search of some epic flying fun! Story by: Jesse Hall
adventure
Our destination was a remote 600 foot cliff with a unique "slot-canyon" hike out. Our mission.... to make a BASE jump, climb back out the narrow canyon and while one person re-packs his chute for another jump, the other two would get the paramotors (paragliders powered by fan-driven backpacks) ready for launch.
With luck, we hoped to film our adventure from the air to re-live the laughs and, maybe even share it with our friends who couldn't be there! Seemed like a worthy mission to us! And hey.....what could go wrong? ;-)
We arrived to perfect weather.... always a good start when flying is involved! The hike out to the base jump "exit" (AKA top of the cliff) was fun, mellow and picturesque.
Conditions: perfect!
With calm winds and clear skies, we decided together that it all felt right! During a BASE jump, when everything goes to plan, a round of high fives and a lot of laughs is mandatory. Overhanging, super smooth sand stone walls, straight to a beach landing.... seriously, we couldn't have asked for more!
Next order of business... the river crossing. You never know how deep its going to get which, could greatly change the level of difficulty. With water just above our knees, I thought to myself, "I love it when a plan comes together!"
Now into the slot canyon!
Warning: Do not enter if rain is in the forecast! These narrow canyons can be a hikers worst nightmare when rain water funnels through and washes everything out with force! We choose wisely - dry conditions made the hike fast and fun, winding up the maze of corners and obstacles was such a blast that we forgot how hard we were working.
Back at the car...
...the weather was still holding out and we had just enough day light for the second jump and para-motor flights!
Tyler immediately packed for his next jump while Marshall and I drove up the road to find a wide open spot to lay out and launch the wings after warming up the motors.
At this point, it was pretty much "ON"!! ;-)
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Tyler pushed into the abyss.....a great jump with a perfect opening and smooth landing!
With motors blazing, we continued to cruise around the wall, enjoying its beauty in the light from the sunset while Tyler made his way up the canyon again - no doubt wishing he could just fly back to the car with us;-)
Success!!
Last light and all feet safely back on the ground = another amazing adventure with best friends!
If that's not a KAVU day then, I don't know what is!
To live "KAVU" is to live our dreams!
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