The journey so far...

This has proved to be a great trip and one that I would recommend to my fellow pilots. The weather has not made it epic as one would hope in terms of flying, but the team took full advantage with every opportunity with the conditions we had.
With base at often less than 2000m out front and sometime below take off, what can you do?

Image taken just after launch

The season seems to be getting a little later each year and the monsoons this season was no exception. A week or two from now may prove to have much better conditions but the window is always relatively small here but it I have only scratched the surface of what is possible.
The guys from Himalayan Sky Safaris really know there stuff here, and this year to keep the 2:1 ratio of clients / guides, their expert assistance with Adam Hill from Nepal Paragliding and Antoine Laurens of Himalayan Odyssey.

From left to right - My Good Self, John Silvester, Jim Mallison, Eddie Colfox, Adam Hill and Antoine Laurens

Sure, I can fly without guidance but a trip like this can push your limits of personal flying in a relatively safer environment than if you was to be flying here alone with no experience of the area and weather patterns.
This does not eliminate the risk completely of course as a guides job is to just advise, it is your own piloting skill that will enable you to get in or out of certain circumstances and of course it is the pilots decision to take or ignore the advice.
It must also be said that should a serious accident occur in this area, it could be a time consuming and difficult affair to get immediate treatment due to the lack of facilities available. When you are over the back this increases dramatically.

My incident a couple of days ago shows what we all know, that paragliding is a potentially dangerous sport and in the Himalayas, it could have far greater consequences than other areas of the world with better infrastructure and facilities. I was assured when John (Silvester) spiraled down to assist me when it happened. Tip of the day - don't be a knob and 360 near terraces close to the ground - they hurt ;-)
It really hurt at the time but in all honestly, my first thought was, "Shit, I hope I will be OK to enter the comp in December!"
Apart from some bruising to the heels of my feet and some discomfort that is getting better each day, things are pretty good considering...

Jim and Eddy covering up during one of our crossings with sheep and goats on the mountain paths

I decided to visit the hospital yesterday as I woke up very sore. Eddy (Colfox) took me to the nearest hospital which is maybe around 90 minutes away. It not that its far but the roads are very slow and noticeably bumpy too when your back is giving you grief!
Its an interesting journey too with all the bright colors, combination of good and bad smells with the thrive of activity going on that it reminds me so much of Glastonbury festival.

After an X-ray, the verdict is that I have a slight compression of the vertebrae and possibly a chipped bone. Some rest for a couple of days is the doctors orders so I will plan to leave the comfort of the resort in a couple of days to explore before my flight back to the UAE Sunday.
There is a great ambiance when staying at The Colonels Resort and this area in general. Sitting surrounded by wonderful countryside consisting of tea gardens, orchards with the mountain as a backdrop is a great place to relax and forget about the hectic lives we live at home.
I have a few more days to ponder over the great couple of weeks I have had in this environment, both in the sky and on the ground.

I will come back here and will pretty much follow the same route and timings as I did on my way here.
I would fly to Dharamsala  from Delhi, and spend a night or 2 there and Mcleodganj before getting a taxi ride to Bir. It was about 100 Rupees per kilo for overweight luggage which was pretty reasonable I thought. The 3 hour daxi from Mcleodganj 1200 rupees to Bir - less than £20.
A taxi from Delhi to Bir is another option and will cost around 7000 rupees (100 quid).

There are numerous places to eat that offer great food at a great price: I have had the occasional meal at a small Tibetan cafe for between 50 - 100 rupees and been completely full by the end.

It is also worth mentioning that while it is OK to give tips, do not overdo it as will upset the economy here. For example, I understand that a full days work for some of the guys working on the roads smashing rocks earn around 150 rupees a day. This is also the kind of price you can expect to pay the porters for carrying your kit to the top of the mountain for you.

A beer will cost between 80 and 125 rupees but do not expect any kind of bars or nightlife in Bir except with your comrades around the fire in the evenings. A bit more happening in Dharamsala, Bhagsu and Mcleodganj in the evenings.

It seems that a good night was had camping in the mountains which was home from home with all the tents that had been set up for when they arrived. Beer, whiskey and good food was ready to eat and drink around the massive campfire that they made. There are rumours that a couple of pilots also made it into an elite 24 club... Ask no questions, tell no lies ;-)

The final dinner with everyone before we go our separate ways 

I am sure that the mosquito's here are also as fascinated by my tattoos as the local people as my right arm is covered in bites which has not happened anywhere before.

I was planning to go into Mandi today but there are some big storm clouds developing so it could be just a day as the doctor ordered... Chill :-)