On a gently breezy day, from anywhere in Golden, look up towards the mountain with the giant white “M” on it and you'll likely see at least one large winged thing floating in the air with a person suspended below it. It's not a skydiver, it might be a hang-glider, but most likely, it's a paraglider.
A paraglide is a specially-shaped parachute-like tarp that the wind inflates overhead. The “wing” is connected to the body harness by what seems like hundreds of little breakable threads. Upon close inspection, the entire paraglide contraption seems very fragile, but, depending on the model, these contraptions are able to hold up to 2 adults in flight.
Golden is a paragliding hotspot because the winds and the launch sites around town are just right for paragliding. The mountain with the white “M” is Lookout Mountain, and the “M” is the symbol for the School of Mines, which is a very prestigious engineering and science college located two blocks from the Washington Avenue shops.
Although driving to the top of Lookout Mountain or Buffalo Bill's grave provides sweeping views of Golden and the Colorado plains, being suspended in the air at 11,000 feet—that's 4,000 feet above the town—is the best possible way to see everything below. Washington Avenue in particular stands out because almost all of the buildings along the road have an unusual orangish tint that stands out from the common beige and white of surrounding homes and businesses. The other major manmade landmark is the sprawling industrial park that is Coors Brewery, which is nestled between two prominent mesas and sits right over a fresh mountain stream. When the wind is blowing a certain direction, the smell of Coors Brewery's hops fills the air in town and the paragliding skies. The most prominent natural feature is the mesa on the right, which is known as Table Mountain, from which the Table Mountain Inn gets its name.
The paraglide experience is a once in a lifetime must-do for anyone not afraid of heights and physically fit enough to run. Note that I did not mention “thrill-seeking” as a requirement. Only the idea of running off a steep mountainside and being lifted into the air is thrilling, the actual experience of free-floating in the air is quite peaceful and relaxing. Religious people might even feel closer to God while floating that openly and that near to the heavens, with God's “purple mountain majesties“ laid down below you.
If you would like to try paragliding, some of the paragliders are tested and licensed by the United States Hang Gliding Association to give tandem flights and solo lessons to others. If you see paragliders floating above you, follow their flight path to their likely landing spot, which is an open field on 6th Avenue/ Route 6, across from baseball fields. Look for the windsock and cars parked under trees and wait for a paraglider to touch down. Paragliders are very enthusiastic about their sport, so do not hesitate to walk up to them and ask if anyone is available to take you for a tandem flight or solo lesson. You will need to wear shoes with ankle support (preferably hiking boots), appropriate clothes for the altitude weather, and be willing to sign a release waiver. Fees vary by instructor, and you will likely need to pay by cash or check (sorry, they can't paraglide with a credit card machine in their pocket!)
Paragliding.mov
Click the link above to watch the video, right-click
to save the linked file, or get all this site's videos in your iTunes
by subscribing to the Podcast/
Videocast 
.
(Need technical support?)
0 COMMENTS:
Post a Comment
LINKS TO THIS POST:
Create a Link
<< Home