Hang Gliding and Paragliding Volume 44 / Issue 12:December 2014 | Page 41

of the Sella group, Sass Pordoi, Rosengarten, and Marmolada
are breathtaking from the ground and unmatched from the
air. Observing the clouds and gliders already in flight during
our ascent, it was apparent the day was just beginning to build
and not quite ready to sustain XC flying. We decided a quick
sled run to familiarize ourselves with the launch, surroundings, and landing area was a sound idea.
Shortly after 10:00, the three of us were airborne; not long
after that, we quickly abandoned our plan for a “sledder”! We
found ourselves in a beautiful smooth thermal and cored it
up to cloudbase. Nearly three hours later our feet returned to
earth, and we retired to the apartment for the evening.
The next six days played out much like the first. Late
mornings and early afternoons were spent beneath paragliders exploring the stunning beauty of our alpine surroundings
in smooth thermals—the duration and distance of our flights
averaging between two to three hours and 40-70 km, respectively. Our evenings were spent enjoying the view from our
balcony, the local cuisine, the company of friends, and a LOT
of wine. Our conversations were filled with the recollection of
the day’s events, thermaling and XC techniques, and the many
platitudes of life.
We recounted the events of one particular flight on numerous occasions. Derek and I each, individually and unintentionally, experienced the phenomenon of “cloud suck.” We
discussed at great lengths ways to prevent such an experience
in the future and compared notes on what led up to it and
how we handled the event. I encourage every pilot reading this

were indescribably good. Normally, I would not bore you
with details of where we eat. However, should you ever visit
Campitello and the Dolomites, make it a point to visit this
place (we did, four times); you won’t be disappointed! The
three of us sat around that evening drinking and strategizing
about our impending flights. We collectively agreed to be on
launch around 11 a.m. and headed off to bed.
The following morning Jeff abruptly woke Derek and me
from our slumber at 9 a.m., yelling like an excited little boy
on Christmas day: “They’re already flying—get up, boys!” We
were out the door and on the Col Rodella lift not long after.
But it wasn’t until we began our ascent to launch that the
magnificence of our surroundings became evident. The views

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