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X-Pyr - part 1

In June, KAVU Athlete Jeff Shapiro attempted to cross the Pyrenees via foot and paraglider. Here, he shares his ups and downs, figuratively and literally, during this epic adventure race

By KAVU

September 4^th, 2018

training

The X-Pyr is one of the most fascinating and demanding races of its type in the world. The idea is to have 37 international competitors race from the Atlantic coast of Spain, across the rugged Pyrenees through 8 turn points (designated by GPS way points) to a goal finish on the Mediterranean coast....essentially crossing the entire country. The most important rules are that competitors can only make forward progress via foot or paraglider. We can race from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm and are required to carry our own gear.

What an adventure!!

Getting to participate in the X-Pyr was a dream. The Pyrenees mountains are dramatic, remote and absolutely stunning.

I wanted to arrive in Bilbao 10 days early for the race for a couple of important reasons. One was to make sure the jet lag from waking up on the other side of the planet was completely gone by the time the race started and the other, was to learn as much about these complicated mountains as I could.

One of my supporters, Huntley Badger, couldn't get to Spain until just before the race so, my good friend Casey Bedell agreed to come early to fly, drive, and help my official supporter, Dustin Martin and I prepare for the epic adventure called the X-Pyr! Casey is not only a good XC pilot but is selfless, a beast in the mountains, and makes it clear that nothing is too much trouble. We were so lucky to have such a good pilot and friend along for the first half of our journey.

Casey and I met Dustin at the airport in Bilbao and after gathering our gear, the first order of business was to collect our home and vehicle for the next month.

X-Pyr - part 1

race van!

After organizing, the sky started to break up so it made perfect sense to find a place to test the wings after the long travel! Luckily for us, one of the most beautiful and consistent coastal soaring sites in the country was only 15 minutes away!!

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

Coast

After the drive to the coast, the sun miraculously popped out and..... the wind speed and direction became perfect!

A short walk later and it was officially "ON"!!

X-Pyr - part 1

Txema and Wiso

When we arrived on launch, we met up with our good friends, Txema and Wiso. Both are legendary pilots and we felt lucky that they were willing to share their knowledge about the Pyrenees with us.

Txema, along with Íñigo Gabiria , was one of the first pilots to bivi fly the entire length of the Pyrenees. I was beyond grateful when he agreed to help us with weather forecasting during our race.

The flying was indeed perfect! Smooth and scenic, we blazed up and down the coast-line while the clean, cool air blew away the effects of our long travel. There was no better way to have started our trip!

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

learn

The goal of this half of the trip was to learn the X-Pyr route. On the first day of the race, we would run approximately 27 kilometers to the mountain top of Larune.

Larune would not only be our first turn point but also, our first opportunity to launch and fly our paragliders to make progress. So, to learn the most efficient way there, we ran and hiked and had the extreme luck to have a brilliant flight, landing and laughing at sunset with far better knowledge about what to expect during the early hours of the race.

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

hit the road

Next, as weather rolled in, we decided to cover some ground in the van and maybe hike some of the tricky sections of the course. It was apparently the "wettest year in the Pyrenees since the 1940's" so, although the afternoon cloud development was almost guaranteed, the hills were an intense green and buzzing with life.

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

south

Driving into the southern part of the range, we found much dryer and sunnier conditions. It was cool to see the terrain and climate change as we made distance along the route.

Pulling into historical, old towns and villages, we quickly began looking for places where I might be launching during the race. We wanted to get a "bird's eye view" of the area and learn more about my options.

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

A strong north wind didn't allow us to fly some of the more classic sites in the area but it seemed our pre-race luck was continuing when we found a beautiful spot to pull the gliders out over Yebra de Basa.

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

All three of us got to fly together, laughing out loud before top landing right next to the van.

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

Having a van that would also act as "home" was perfect and on this evening, after an epic flight with two good friends, I couldn't have imagined a better view out the front door!

X-Pyr - part 1

onward

Wanting to get into the bigger mountains and feel the power of the Pyrenees, we headed toward the famous flying of Castejón de Sos. Close to the mighty Turbon (the 4th turn point in the race), I wanted to see more terrain from the air and hoped to fly toward the deepest part of the course, a northern line toward the French border and over what promised to be the most challenging section of the race.

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

luck

Upon arriving in Castejón de Sos, we found conditions to be just about perfect! We eagerly arranged a ride up one of the highest peaks in the area (to save my legs) for the opportunity to get to cloud base!

X-Pyr - part 1

It couldn't have been better conditions and after a couple of hours in the air (and a full value tour of the mountains), I started to feel the rhythm of this place. The truth was, I had no idea what would happen during the race but, here and now......I was loving the process and feeling a higher level of confidence.

Exactly the outcome we were hoping for.

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

Back to the start

A few more days of amazing travel and flying allowed us to take advantage by learning as we went. In particular, a short cross-country flight from the town of Berga to turn point 6 - a peak called Pedraforka, was incredibly memorable. But, as the days brought us closer to the mandatory meetings and pre-race obligations, it was time to head back to the start line.

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

Our last night on the road back to Bilbao was capped by one of the most epic sunsets in my memory. It was a fitting end to Casey's time in Spain and to this phase of the adventure.

KAVU is all about perspective. To me, Klear Above, Visibility Unlimited means that if priorities are sound, anything......literally anything is possible. We have only so much time and, it's a privilege to enjoy every second of it!

X-Pyr - part 1

X-Pyr - part 1

kavu days

The race would start soon but, every second is a life to be grateful for!! View Part 2

X-Pyr - part 1

Footnotes

Jeff Shapiro, most of all, loves sharing how his KAVU days makes his world a bigger and better place! KAVU to the core!

FootNotes

Jeff Shapiro, most of all, loves sharing how his KAVU days makes his world a bigger and better place! KAVU to the core!

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