Adventure is what it’s all about – and no adventure comes bigger than the mighty Himalaya.
That’s why we chose this image for the cover of a packed issue 161. It just has it all. It’s of Zee Monastery in the remote Spiti Valley in northern India. And it’s Shangri-La for the trio of pilots who flew there chasing personal altitude records.
Here’s what’s in the magazine this issue:
Paragliding in Keylong
Beyond Bir: Kubo Beno, Andrej Durana and Martin Gaborik head to Keylong on a quest to reach 7,000m
KidStuff: Kids learn quick but there are obvious risks. We talk to mums, dads, instructors and talented youngsters.
The Perfect Line: Francois Ragolski and Martin Schrike wanted to fly 1,000km along the coast of Chile. It ain’t a bed of roses…
Islands in the Sun: Karen and Jason Skinner head south to fly the seven islands of the Canaries in one brilliant seven-week road trip.
Magic Moments: We asked Red Bull X-Alps organisers Hannes Arch and Ulrich Grill to pick their stand-out photos from the 12 years of this incredible race.
The Middle Way: Christina Ammon heads to Babu’s Adventure Camp in Nepal to meet the woman behind the man – Susmita Sunuwar.
Arriba 3 review: We take this ‘joyous lightweight EN B’ for a ride over the southern French Alps and come back grinning.
Sirocco review: Ozone’s first lightweight full-reflex paramotor wing gets the once-over with our test team.
The Hangar: Louise Joselyn reports from the Bleyne XC Classic, a revival of Open Distance hang gliding competition and a brilliant success.
Toolbox: Dean Eldridge explains how to get into tandem flying for paramotor pilots.
Naked Pilot: Hang gliding event organiser Erick Angles reveals all in our regular Naked Pilot series.
Honza on weather: Meteorologist Honza Rejmanek comes down from the stratosphere to help talk us through some common weather scenarios – this issue: wave.
Icaristics: Bruce Goldsmith turns circles and helps us understand why turning 360s close to the ridge needs extra care.
Ignition: Jeff Goin analyses accident statistics and asks ‘Are we any safer?’
Mountain Flying: Alpine expert and Red Bull X-Alps athlete Jon Chambers takes us into the Alps and explains how to choose a mountain launch.
PLUS: We have the usual round-up of news, comment, new products and world class photography all wrapped up in 132 pages of glossy loveliness.
The magazine is out now in print and digital. Don’t miss it!
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