Peak District - Eyam Edge

We have just spent the weekend up in Hathersage in the Peak District. Ben and Mum came up with us and we stayed at Carrhead Farm. It was Ben's birthday on the 12th August and on Saturday we had some glorious flying at Eyam Edge next to Great Hucklow Gliding Club (where Dad took us back in 1980 to go gliding!) Ben and I flew for an hour or so together before landing for a drink at the pub. Some flew to Stanage and beyond. Another top weekend! Ben is on the red APCO on the right and I am on my trusty blue Gradient (Topas). Diana took the photo!

Paragliding in Annecy - July 07

We are staying in a small village called Talloires right by Lake Annecy. The weather has been changable and we had a lot of rain at first but then the sun arrived and the flying became good. Have a look at some of the photos I took today on my way up to base above the 'Dents de Lanfon'. A fantastic day of superb flying and views...

Di drove me up to the take off at Plan Fait (next to the Foret de l'Aventure) and it was 3pm by the time I had done my checks and taken off into the bouyant air. Most of the gliders were slope soaring infront of take-off but I decided to go in search of thermals around the back. I followed another Gradient glider and was losing height above the trees flying towards Les Dents de Lanfon. Suddenly my vario started to scream at me and soon I was flying with the big boys up at cloud base - I was nervous to fly into the cloud as the suck underneath it was quite powerful! I had a couple of large collapses but they popped out as soon as I heard the rustle! It was lovely flying and the air was cool at altitude with lovely views of the lake.

(The first time I took off here, I was with Sam and Dave. Sam did a perfect forward launch take off first when there was nil wind. I then took off but sat back in my harness too early and the glider lost flying speed and I dropped out of the sky and landed in the top of a tree just before the cliff edge. My canopy over took me and I spent the next 2 hours untangling it from the trees with Dave. Thanks Dave! I won't do that again! I was lucky and learnt an important lesson)

I landed a couple of hours later. The wind had picked up on the landing site. As I still had quite a bit of height I flew over the lake and back towards the hotel so I could get an aerial photo of Le Cottage - where we were staying. Our hotel is the one with the pool shown below...

A couple of days before we took off at the Col de la Forclaz which was exciting. It was a busy take off and the thing to do was prepare your glider to the side, bundle it up and wait for your turn. When I first came to Annecy nearly nine years ago I was too frightened to take off here as I had only just qualified. I felt much more confident this time. I thermalled up above the trees to the right hand side of take off and flew along the length of the ridge for 3 hours. I landed down by the landing field below Plan Fait near to the paragliding shop. Another wonderful day of flying. I LOVE this sport...

Dave and his son Sam were in Chamonix flying at Plaine Joux for the first 3 days. We went over to join them on the second day and had a lovely flight infront of Mont Blanc. It became very windy in the afternoon so we watched the competition pilots flying at the festival of flight which was inspiring. Their gliders fly so much faster.

Evenings were beautiful as the sun went down - gliders could still be seen in the air thermalling at 7.30pm! Talloires is a peaceful place and we shall definately be coming here again.

We ended the day with a swim in the lake and then we had supper at the hotel as the sun went down. The end to a perfect day!

Di loved the swimming and said that swimming in the Lake was like swimming in Evian! Her 'bump' seemed to grow in the cool waters!

Swimming in Snowdonia 1-7-07

Diana and I went to Snowdonia and stayed at our favourite hotel - the Pen-y-Gwryd. The forecast was for torrential rain but we decided to ignore the forecast. As usual, the car was brimming with climbing gear and of course, the paraglider. None of it left the boot of the car as it did not stop raining!

On Saturday morning, we met our great friend, Ian Wilson-Young (Rock Jock). He works in Hamburg and was over for the weekend. He had slept in his car on the Friday night as he had arrived late. We met him the next day in Pete's Eats and then went and bumbled around the gear shops in Llanberis - it was far too wet for anything else. We then decided to go skinny dipping in the tarn behind the hotel which was hilarious.

That night we all ate and drank far too much and played about 10 games of ping pong. The rain that night was so torrential that our room sprung a leak in the ceiling. Luckily it was not over the bed so we did not bother to move rooms - it just added to the atmosphere of the place.

Paragliding in the Nevada Desert

Ben and I are currently staying in Las Vegas, where we are giving a keynote presentation on 20th June, 2007, with Dave Roberson (Senior Vice President) at a major annual Hewlett Packard conference where there are expected to be 2000 people in the audience. We are also speaking to journalists about the testing we did for HP on Everest back in 2006. Sound like a gruelling schedule? No, not at all; not until we heard that there were some small hills just outside the city!


We decided to take our paragliders out with us in case we got the chance to fly. Local pilot, Carl Appelin, was extremely kind in offering to show us the local site at Jean Ridge (about half an hour from the City). Carl picked us up from the Mandalay Bay Hotel in his HUGE pickup. We reached the site at about 6pm in searingly hot temperatures - about 100 degrees. The winds were SW and it was possible to soar. We had 40 minutes of delightful flying, while the sun set across the desert. We were wearing T-shirts and shorts and the winds were warm and constant giving us smooth rides up and down this mile long ridge!

Thank you Carl, Melonie and Max, for showing us this unique flying site. We loved it. Please come and visit us when you are next in the UK.

XC flying inland (Turkey) 17-5-07

It has always been my dream to fly cross country on a paraglider. On the 17th May, 2007, I flew cross country for my first time ever. It was a wonderful feeling. We met with one of the top local pilots, Semih Sayir, who was a competition pilot. Semih had amassed over 7,000 hours on a paraglider, he was calm and had vast knowledge of the local area. He was the perfect guide for the day. Semih and his driver took us inland to a take off on a dusty track at Geyran near Uzumlu. The peak in the far distance under the cumulus cloud was near to where we flew to...

There were nine pilots and we all took off one after the other. We flew left where we thermalled to the summit of the mountain and before long we were all circling together in strong lift. Semih came on the radio, "ok, lets go... follow me!" So we did and glided off together. It was wonderful to fly in a gaggle because it is easier to spot where the lift is. This was not a competition but just friends flying for fun together.

We reached the next hill along the valley where we found more lift and circled up again. Some of the gliders had more height so they went on futher but it took me and 3 others more time to get sufficient height to continue. After much work I had enough height to continue up the valley where I was flying low above the pine trees and rocky ridges. It was exciting and once again, I found lift and was now travelling at a safe height above the forest. I was locked into my own little world - my mouth was dry - I was determined not to be the first one to 'bomb' out. I had caught up with the others who had been waiting. Big Pete was with me and Dave was not far away a little lower down.

We followed the road up the valley. Some gliders were in sink and I soon found myself going down. I pushed out to the middle of the valley, following Pete, desperately hoping to be sucked back up. My vario told me that I was going up... I quickly put some 360's in and found myself in the same thermal as big Pete. It was pure delight.

We climbed up to Semih and Mehmet. Another Aussie pilot was also up there called Phil from Zermatt. All five of us continued to the next waypoint where the lift was very strong. The clouds were huge and over developed - we decided to turn around to go back the way we had come. Dave had been the first to bomb out in a small clearing amongst the trees below - we could see his yellow glider below us. He got on the radio to let us know he was all right.

We were near the town Arpacik and we were low now too. We had been going 2hrs and 27mins. We had travelled about 30kms. Pete landed before me but his glider ended up in a tree which took ages to get out! The farmer came to help us. He spoke no English but was all smiles! I had a huge smile on my face as this is what paragliding is about. It was an awesome day. Who knows how much further we would have flown if the weather had not stopped us!!

The following day, my wife, Diana, and I went into Fethiye to look around the market in the old town near the harbour. We found a local tailor who copied one of Di's dresses for a few lira! Whilst he was at it he mended my glider sack and Di packed me off to one of the many barber shops where I was given full shave finished off with lashings of lemon cologne! Mmmm smells good!

Paragliding in Olu Deniz (Turkey)

I have just returned from a week of flying in Turkey by the sea in Olu Deniz. The scale of this place is breathtaking and the climate is perfect; sunshine, light winds and thermic conditions - not to mention the spectacular views over the sea and surrounding hills! Each morning we would catch the truck up the mountain called Baba Dag ('The Father Mountain') and it would take about 50 minutes.

On the second morning I walked up with Pete from the town. We left at 4.30am and it took a good 4 hours to get to the middle take off where we met with the others. They had taken our gliders up there in the truck - thankfully! There are three take off areas on Baba Dag - a southern lower take off at about 5,400 feet, a middle one at about 5,800 feet and a northern take off at 6,400 feet.

I took the photo below looking down towards the lagoon at Olu Deniz in the distance. One is able to see the dusty track leading up to the top take off. The lower take off is where the road doubles back on itself.

The top take off can be seen to the left of this photo below...

On the day that I walked up with Pete, I took off first. There was very little wind so I did a forward launch off the middle take off and flew towards the top take off where I immediately found strong lift. I soon was at 10,000 feet and I was glad of my warm layers as it was cooler up at this height. I flew right out to the plateau opposite and found sink so I retreated back to the main ridge. I was lower than the top take off but I soon found more lift under a juicy looking cloud and was booted back to base again. I bimbled around up here before heading down to the beach for a beer after a couple of hours in the air. This is the life!

Sunset at the end of the day as seen from the lower take off looking towards the bay at Olu Deniz... Beautiful!

Hathersage Lecture (4-5-07)

When I was asked by Mary and Michael Bailey to come and speak at the Memorial Hall, in aid of the Hathersage Swimming Pool Fund, I accepted at once. I adore Hathersage and have been visiting for years, mainly to rock climb or boulder on the gritstone edges with friends over the years. It was a wonderful chance to give something back to the community by speaking about my recent adventures in the Himalayas. Mary and Michael run one of the finest B&B’s I have ever experienced and since my wife, Diana, and I have been coming here we have often stayed with them at Carr Head Farm where the views are magnificent and their hospitality is second to none. They have become great friends.

I took the day off on Friday and started off by speaking to the children at the local school at 2pm. Michael and I then went for a walk with the dogs (Barney, Percy and Boston) The evening lecture started at 7.30pm with a packed house. There were questions at the end; the best one came from a little boy in the front row when he asked, “why do you wear those spiky things on your feet?”

The evening was a roaring success and at the end I was honoured to be presented with ‘Life Membership’ to the Hathersage Swimming Pool! Thank you and thank you to all those involved including Mary & Michael Bailey, Kim & Boris Mathews and to all the other individuals and shops who helped and contributed with the raffle prizes from the village. A total of £1,200 was raised for the Swimming Pool Fund. A fantastic result!

Saturday 21st April - White Horse

On Saturday 21st April, I flew for just under 3 hours over the White Horse behind Milk Hill in Wiltshire. When I arrived it was quite windy so I sat and had a sandwich. I then laid out my gear and checked it before deciding to give it a go. I pulled on the brakes and was lifted straight up. It was a beautiful afternoon and I managed to fly all the way along to the road and thought of crossing it when I was high. The lift was not quite good enough so I decided not to. Also, my car was parked by the barn at the opposite end and I didn't feel like the long walk back. At one point there were about 14 gliders in the air including one hang glider. I was the second last person to land as the sun was setting. I flew as far as I could back to the car before landing and packing up. I was smiling! I think I have a paragliding problem - I can't stop thinking about the weather or where to fly next. I am dreaming about flying cross country from thermal to thermal...

Paragliding - Easter weekend, 2007

Diana and I spent Easter in Devon and on the way down we stopped for some flying at Westbury. It was a beautiful day but the winds were light. The flying was very 'scratchy' and I probably managed about an hour of flying in total that day (Easter Friday). Met up with Jim Mallinson, Mark Russell and Eddie Colfox who were all flying 'hot ships'! I was flying my old Gradient Topas (1-2 glider).

On the way home we stopped in Dorset to see the parents-in-law. After lunch, I dragged Di up to Batcombe where the skies looked epic. Very light winds again, however, and persevered ending up with four top-to-bottoms. Mark Russell was there with his tandem and so was Tony Farthing from the Devon and Somerset Condors. I returned home dreaming of flying more this summer!

On May 11th Olu Deniz bekons in Turkey where we shall be flying with friends for a whole week! Bring it on...

Lunar Eclipse - 3rd March, 2007

We were in the Lakes this weekend planning on doing a little rock climbing or even some flying if the winds were right. We met up with some buddies from a previous 2004 Everest expedition in Tibet. (Ray Smith, Mike Brennan, Rick Taylor and Baz Roberts) The rain held off more or less on the Saturday but the rock was wet and it was way too windy to fly. I went for a walk with Di and then we met up in Ambleside for a curry that evening. The air was crisp and clear when we approached the tents; perfect conditions to view the lunar eclipse. It was orangey in color.

My great friend Huw Griffiths, who lives in Hampshire, took this.

(2.5s @ F5.6 / 300mm / ISO400 Canon 350D). What a great photo. Thanks Huw!

Frostbite update - 12th February

On Wednesday 7th February, my brother, Ben, had to have a further operation on his toes. They were not healing as they should and so the surgeon was forced to take a little more off three of the damaged toes. He used a device called a 'nibbler' which quite literally nibbled the bone back more so as to allow more skin to grow around the stumps. Ben asked to see the device after the operation. Mmmmm nice...

Ben is a brave man - much braver than myself! He is in better spirits now the pain has subsided a little with the help of some strong pain killers.

"It was like being back at Camp 2," Ben told me today, "painful!"

Ashdown House School Lecture

On Wednesday 24th January, I was invited to speak at Ashdown House School with Ben. It was nearly 25 years since we were there ourselves and it was wonderful to see all the changes and to meet a handful of teachers who taught us when we were there!

After the lecture some of the pupils tried on the oxygen masks and down suits and then climbed into the tent we had put up on the stage!

The whole school were present at the lecture, together with about 50 parents. There were lots of wonderful questions at the end including, "did you brush your teeth?"

Old Man of Hoy

First ascent: Tom Patey, Rusty Baillie, Chris Bonnington 1966.
Original Route on the East Face (460 feet) (E1 or 5b)

This is one of the most famous sea stacks in Britain and it is composed of rather decaying Orcadian sandstone standing on a granite plinth and features five climbs ranging from an acceptable El right up to E6. The stack is found just to the north of Rora Head which is east of Rackwick on the small island of Hoy which can be seen from John O'Groats.

The plan is for a small group of friends to travel up sometime at the beginning of the summer; in time for the good weather. We shall most likely wild camp somewhere on the cliffs. I read about this climb years ago and promised myself that I would one day give it a go! It looks like a wonderful challenge...

Skydiving - September 2007

What next...?

My buddy Karl, has invited me to Spain where we want to jump together. The plan is that I will learn to skydive by doing an Accelerated Free Fall course. He will join me for the fun as he has over 500 jumps to his name. That is him in the yellow suit jumping in Arizona from a balloon! Nice...

RGS Lecture: SOLD OUT

We have completely sold out of tickets for the lecture at the Royal Geographical Society on 7th December, 2006. Over 700 tickets have been sold. Please do not apply for any more tickets because we don't have any left! Thank you to all those who are coming. We hope you will enjoy it!

View from the summit of Everest

I took this photo on May 18th, 2006 at about 7.45am. It looks directly towards Base Camp on the Tibetan side (to the middle of the photo just beyond the glacial lake) The photo below, taken from Outer Space, is taken looking the other way!
We were lucky to have such a clear day.

Everest from Outer Space!

This photo really blew me away. Mount Everest and Lhotse (4th highest mountain) can clearly be seen in the upper right hand part of the picture with clouds whipping off the top, with Makalu (5th highest mountain) out to the left. The vast Tibetan Plateau can be seen in the foreground and one can even make out where Everest Base Camp is in Tibet together with the Rongbuk Glacier. The Nupste Ridge can clearly be seen to the right of Everest! Wow!

Frostbite

My brother, Ben, had an operation last Wednesday 25th October where they removed four blackened toes on his left foot which was caused by the extreme cold on our Everest ascent on May 18th, 2006. The operation went as well as expected and Ben will be back on his feet soon. He joins the likes of Reinhold Messner (the greatest mountaineer of all time) who lost seven toes climbing with his brother (Günter) on Nanga Parbat in 1970!

School lectures (September 06)

At the end of September, Tom spoke at Uppingham, Swanbourne, Bryanston and Caldicott. They were a great success and the boys and girls loved it. At Caldicott, Tom had his two-man tent up on stage and after the lecture about 20 boys climbed into it AND zipped themselves in! At Swanbourne, one of the boys, (Alexander Stone) tried on Tom's warm down summit suit with a big smile!

RGS tickets and how to book?

Thursday 7 December, 2006 at 7.00pm
Lecture
Brothers on Everest
Tom and Ben Clowes
1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR

Brothers Tom and Ben give a fascinating and moving account of their journey to the roof of the world. They show stunning photography and rare video footage from the summit.

50% of proceeds from this event go to Rosemary Foundation. Tickets: £12.
Send cheque with SAE (payable to Tom and Ben Clowes) to Mr. T Clowes, 62b Marmion Road, London, SW11 5PA

Tel. 07740 305492 www.rosemary-foundation.org.uk