Certifiable? In paragliding anyhow...

Peace Good People: I'm claiming the top of Mandredungha, the site of my first 800m top to bottom paraglide takeoff as a monument to Peace.

Why not? Crazier things have been done...I'm carving out a little bit of peace in this little country of 30 million people and 8,000m peaks. I met some of the most amazing people, who were giving and of good heart, and of course I met the polar opposite. But the background behind me should remind anyone who journeys here that beauty is all around you and peace should be as easy as breathing... that is if you have the will power to leave your baggage behind and experience the here and now without regret.

Instructor Ivan pulling some hefty "Wing Overs" (Attitude of camera is correct)

Paragliding is the perfect sport to leave all your baggage behind and gain a whole new perspective.

Last blog entry I ended on a high note: first high flight, and a perfect landing. The next two flights I found myself lacking the proper focus as I couldn't sit back in my harness. Here's an example of not being able to sit back in the harness...but on a tandem flight.

A tandem Flight with Ivan, my paragliding hero and guru

We unload our gliders into the anxious arms of the local villagers

looking to make a quick 100 rupees, more than most Nepalis make in a whole day

This friendly villager was the only one to ever porter my glider at this site,

she saved me on a day that I was running a fever and had poor balance,

I flew anyway!

Paragliders finding little pockets of lift above Sarangot

Kids from Pume pack our gliders for some candy money

They literally attack us as we land yelling "Packing?!?"

Pume Paragliding Packers Play Pilot (P.P.P.P.P.)

And you thought I couldn't do it Dad!

Pume Packers Photograph Pilots

Mac Daddy Mikel revs the Indian-Made Motorcycle at the Mandredungha landing site

Caught this paraglider scaling ol' Fishtail while enjoying a tandem flight with my paragliding instructor Ivan

Left to right: Far left Dhauligiri-8168m, Annapurna South- 7219m, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli-6441m, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail)-6993m, Annapurna III-7555m, Annapurna IV-7525m, Annapurna II-7937m