Paragliding and Zell am See, Austria

We had hoped to get in early and explore Zell am See. We didn't, but I did get to see the World Cup final. Super bummed that Spain won it, but glad it did not go to penalty kicks too. Zell am See reminded my brother of Camden, Maine. I thought it was a little too outdoorsy for that, but if you want outdoor activities and tour goodness, check it out. Beautiful spot with a lot of stuff to do nearby. For us, that meant paragliding!


The landing zone for paragliding.
Any time that I do something I am unfamiliar with that is too far removed from what humans are built to do, I get anxious. Fear kicks in. When I got SCUBA certified, that irrational fear washed over me as I submerged myself in the pool and tried to breath. It is so unnatural. I briefly considered bailing out of the class, but I love the feeling of pushing through and succeeding despite my internal struggles.

Our first take off zone.
When planning our trip to Austria, my brother decided that when we stopped over at Zell am See we should paraglide. I knew that same fear would be coming along because I hate the feeling of falling through the air. However, I didn't wait to rain on his parade and, if I could get over myself, I would enjoy it, so I agreed to it.


Tait and Jill are the two paragliding specks above the cloud.
As we drove over to the landing zone, I could feel my whole body tightening up. I was able to do some breathing excercises to mellow out a little, but my body was still preparing itself for excitement, firing out adrenaline, trying to empty itself out. Unfortunately, I wasn't going to get to go for a while. There were only two pilots available so one of us would have to wait. I knew that the best way for me to get through was just to do it and not give myself time to think about it. So, in backwards psychology, I opted to wait to make getting over myself that much harder and that much more fulfilling.


Wheeeeee!
We all loaded up into Hans' van and off we went to the gondola. Hans tossed me his keys and had me drive back to the landing zone on my own without any directions. Tait and Jill carried two of the four gear bags up the gondola. I couldn't help but appreciate the difference from the US where everything would be done for us. I like being more involved.


Post paragliding thoughts.
After getting back to the landing zone, I just waited. Eventually, I saw some parachutes at 2000m. That was Tait and Jill winding their way down. Claus is more aggressive so Tait got a much longer and more exciting ride. He thinks Claus is crazy though. They both came down with spins, twists, and smiles. It was hard to get pictures of them. No pictures would convey the experience anyway.


A real smile from Tait!
After they landed, we repacked the parachutes and loaded the van again. It was my turn. Time to buck up. I could feel the nerves really starting to chat it up, but I just focused on breathing and whatever task they set me to. We rode the gondola up to some spectacular views of Zell am See. When we got to the top, it was go time. There was no exploring or picture taking. We hustled over to the launching zone, harnessed up, and unpacked the parachute. I thought we were all set to go so I got myself mentally ready. Unfortunately, Hans got a phone call and started chatting it up. Waiting. Then, the wind died. More waiting. More time than I needed to let my mind undo itself.


Jill after paragliding. I think she liked it or likes being on the ground.
I could start to taste the fear. If you don't know what this means, I don't think I can explain this. I think it is tied to the realeasing of pheremones. It tastes bad and I've experienced it whenever I pass a cop going to fast and think I am going to get a speeding ticket. It happened when I have been in car accidents. It happens when I see a bad wreck coming on my snowboard or bicycle. In New Zealand, my friend Galit thought I might be a supertaster, which I think means I'm super sensitive to bitter stuff. That might be why I can taste the fear. I don't like it. Sign me up for ice cream afterwards.


Tandem paragliding.
Instead of dialing in to get over it while waiting, we moved to a new take off zone with better wind. There is nothing like getting the adrenaline ready and then not being able to use it. At the new landing zone, there was a fence in the way. I don't know why it was there, but Franz gave me his gloves, told me it was electric, and had me go clear 60m of it. No, I'm not kidding. It was a welcome relief from just sitting there waiting though.

Landing.
In that spot, the wind was whipping by pretty well and soon we were off and running. I saw the steep edge coming and started to get concerned. However, it didn't matter. We didn't even get to the edge before the parachute filled and I was running on nothing. I was like a cartoon character getting ready to sprint. As soon as we went airborne, my body tried to fall back down to earth in my loose harness. I only moved an inch, but it made me remember how much I am trusting man made equipment to overcome nature' laws.


Landing. Feet up, bum down, thump, slide, stop.
A little later, we had the seat out and I didn't even need to worry about the harness pulling up so hard every time a guest of wind came through. Our next challenge was gaining altitude to clear the ridgeline. Hans is a little heavier, especially with me tied to him, so getting higher took a little more work. For a short while, I wondered if we could clear the trees and when Hans told me to lean right, raised his voice said it again, and then did it one more time with even more authority because I wasn't leaning enough, it gave a little fuel to my concern. We were fine though. Just my inexperience talking. I finally settled in to enjoy myself.


I think I liked it!
After a short bit, Hans asked if I liked action. Wanting to get the most out of my experience, I said sure. He started rocking us hard left, then right, then back again until the sun was catching the underside of the parachute. Eeek!! After that, we tucked into a downward spiral that might have had more G forces pulling on me than I have experience at any other time in my life (roller coasters?). We just spun and spun. I had watched Jill go through this same move and it had seemed so gentle from the ground. It isn't. Not focusing on a single point while we spun didn't help. A small wave of nausea washed over me, but it didn't matter. We were done. We buzzed a final tree in the landing zone and came rushing toward the ground. I thought we were coming into a little fast, but at the last second Hans pulled the parachute up and slowed us almost to a stop where we just picked our feet up, hit the ground, slid a meter on our butts, and stopped. The only thing left was smiles. Lots of smiles.

Full video:

Paragliding in Zell am See, Austria

Lake Zell.

The town of Zell am See, we paraglided off the backside of the top of the mountain.

Tait and I on the shore of Lake Zell.

Krimml Falls, Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria

A town on the way to Hohe Tauren National Park.


Krimml Falls.
Our first big stop after Innsbruck was Krimml Falls in the Hohe Tauren National Park in Austria. I was excited because we were getting out of the city and this was also the start of one of the bike paths that I would be using later on (from Salzburg). It was a chance to walk in the woods, which I was missing.


Franz-Josef is everywhere.


Fifth highest?
When we arrived at the overlook of the falls before descending to the hike, there was a lot of signage about what we were looking at. Unfortunately, most of it was in German and my german sucks or is non-existant. I can figure stuff out with the help of a book, but it isn't pretty and it's slow. However, there were a few bits that jumped out at me. The most curious one was the glacier that shared part of its name with New Zealand's Franz-Josef glacier. I guess the Austrians have always been big mountaineers, but I tend to attach New Zealand's history to England and, to a small part, France. I didn't realize the Austrians had been down there enough to earn naming rights. Maybe they explored it first.

Another sign touted the the Krimml Falls as the fifth highest in the world. I cannot confirm this. It was not listed in a fifth tallest or largest when I saw it, but maybe highest refers to altitude.


The bottom part of Krimml Falls.


A view from the top.
Once we finally got off the country roads, we were able to start hiking up to the top. It seemed like most people went to the bottom and left. Some went half way. The only people we saw at the tippy top took a cab there. I have got to tell you, these old countries have done a great job of making themselves accessible, but sometimes it is a big bummer when someone can drive/gondola up what you just spent hours hiking. On the other hand, just like New Zealand's hut system, it allows people to get into the outdoors who would otherwise never get back there. If I really want to go somewhere to be OUT there, I would treat it like Colorado, get to know the area better, and just go farther back.

The hike up was paved the entire way, but also very steep. It made for some tired calves and achy knees. It was a treat though. There were so many great views and places to get misted from the falls to stay cool if it was hot, which it wasn't, but if it was . . .


A lizard or gecko or something that was very, very still on the trail.


My brother, Tait.
It is rare that my brother smiles in a photo. We are going to call this a smile. Next up, World Cup Final in Zell Am See!

Innsbruck, Austria

My first view of the awesome Alps.


Innsbruck, Austria. Find the ski jump in the hazy skies.
I arrived in Innsbruck completely exhausted from a mostly self imposed train ride from hell, Tait and I had both found a 7 hour option that would get me in at 8:30, but that option did not actually exist. Even after getting there two hours early, the best I could do is get in at midnight. At Linz, I jumped a train to Salzburg instead of Innsbruck and had to change trains again. My new train did not arrive until 4am. Major kudos to my brother who came to pick me up at 4am. I told him I was happy to sleep in the station and figured I would see him at breakfast in the awesome hillside hotel that Jill found. Too bad, I was only there for five hours.


A mountain hut high above Innsbruck on the Nordkette, reached lazily via the Hungerburgbahn.

An endearing elderly couple taking in the view.
After four short hours sleep, it was time to explore Innsbruck. I was over city stuff so taking the gondola up to the top of a nearby mountain sounded fantastic. I found out later that we could have hiked it, but coming off Worlds and a little banged up, I could use a few lazy days. The gondola is broken into three parts, the first of which you can take from town, which is great if you do not have a car. Otherwise, you would be walking up to hill to catch a ride up the hill which seems a little counterintuitive.


Tait and Jill drink at altitude.


The steepest downhill mountain bike trail I have ever seen. The guys riding this had motocross helmets.
I would guess that we spent two hours on the mountain. We got to hear a high school band play a song, Pachelbel's Canon in D Major, that I only know because Sheetal introduced it to me. While we heard them play, we saw some hanggliders get ready to take off. I cannot imagine how many more aerial sports would occur in the US if we had the easy access to the top of mountains that the Austrians seem to have. I believe a lot of the aerial adrenaline sports come from Europe. I suspect that also has to do with liability laws in the US too.


An inn in Innsbruck. Yes that was just to make an alliteration.
Once we got down the mountain, it was time to head out. I did not need to explore another city. Also, Tait and Jill did not like it that much anyway. I suspect it was just because they could not get their beers fast enough at the biergarten. Next stop, the Krimmel falls at Hohe Tauren National Park.

More Prague

Strahov Stadium
After some of the day's games, I would try to join Tait and Jill for some more Prague sight seeing. Some days it worked. Some days it didn't if I was too tired or hurting from laying out poorly.


Old synagogue in Prague.


Another synagogue in Prague.
We explored the Jewish quarter, Old City, the main square, and a couple other areas that are evading me right now. It was nice. As usual, hanging out with different people took me to areas that I would normally not go, which was great. I think they liked the cafes where they could get a cold beer for cheaper than water were their favorites.


Pissing Fountain


Charles Bridge.


Old road up to the castle.
One of the most curious places that we went was the Medievil Torture Museum. It was novel. We were there. It was there. We figured why not. I heard about three museums that I should consider checking out in Prague, the torture one, the sex toy one, and the Barbie one in the castle. I only made it to one out of three though. The others will have to wait for my next visit in . . . .


Tait and I on the Charles Bridge.


Tait's contemplates midievil torture devices.


I contemplate what is wrong with us to create this stuff.
I grabbed this last picture on my way home from Strahov Stadium. The stadium is on the same hill as the castle and has a great overlook of the city. From the city, you get to walk up and unbelievably steep and beautiful park. I was surprised how many people were using. I feel like in the states such a steep park would never be used.


Prague castle.

Prague castle at night. Photo by Tait./>


Prague castle at night. Photo by Tait.

Club Worlds, Prague, Czech Republic

Team huddle before our first scrimmage.
My first Club Worlds has come and gone. It was an experience that I'll treasure for a long time to come. It is also like a first marathon, where you are left wanting to go back and do it again, but better.


Spence and Emma.


Rachel.
My team, Credo out of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand, was seeded 14th. We opened up big against Estonia and the Czech team. Unfortunately, day two was a little rougher for us. We had a double game point loss to Newcastle, Australia and a four point loss to a team out of Montana, USA. While the teams were good, we mostly beat ourselves by making errors. We were improving with every game, but too little too late to get the wins. The Australia game was especially tough since we had fought back from being down by 4-5 points to tie it up before losing it by one. On the other hand, an En Sabah Nur player, Robert Dulabon, was on their team. It was great to see him play so well.


Warming up sumo style.
After pool play, we were 2-2. That kept us alive and in six team power pools (3 from our pool, 3 from another). The top four from power pools would advance to the top 16. We played teams from Philadelphia, USA, the UK champion from Brighton, and Austria. We didn't bring our best game and dropped the first two. We finally started to play well again against Austria and beat them by two. This put us in a 3-way tie for 4th which could advance us to the top 16. We lost that tie. The team we beat got 4th and went on to quarterfinals. We'd like to think we would have done the same, but what ifs don't count.


Arnie makes a tough catch.


Karl gets the poach layout D.
We were regulated to the 21st place bracket where we were playing well again. We beat teams from the Canary Islands in Spain, Netherlands, and Bologna, Italy. That left us at 6-4 for the weekend and in 21st place. We finished playing well. We finished on a win. We finished smiling and having fun. I think we were all pretty happy about it even though we missed our team goal.


I use poor form to layout and land on my knee. Boo!
My personal play was lacking. I came out too jittery for my first game at Worlds and played poorly. I think that shook my confidence and affected my other games. When I was finally getting myself back, I tore something in my shoulder on a layout in the fourth game. I didn't play much in the 5th game, but was back and ready for 6 and 7 where I used my worse layout form in two years to land on my knee which pretty much ended my tournament. I played a couple points on it to let other players rest, but I wasn't able to be the impact and utility player on the team that I was supposed to be. I just wanted to give a lot more, but luckily it is a team sport and others were able to pick up my slack. I'm sure the other guys were happy for the extra playing time too.


Karl and Arnie celebrate a return to our winning ways.


Strahov stadium, the second biggest in the world.


Karl wants this throw back.
On a more important and memorable note, Worlds is amazing. There are a lot of good arguments about how US nationals is actually more competitive (every US team was seeded 12th or higher and I believe they did win every division). However, worlds is something more. It builds community. It brings together different ultimate styles. We learn from each other. From trade night, to spirit circles, to celebrating our individual countries, so much about worlds is different than US nationals. It has more spirit. It is more fun, though I do enjoy the hard play at US nationals more. I can't recommend it enough.


Playing against Canary Islands, Spain at Strahov Stadium.


Mike goes in for the catch.


Columbia gets down.
I feel so fortunate to have been given the chance to help represent Canterbury, NZ, especially after I had planned to retire. Lucky for me, they suckered me back into this game and reminded me I love it enough to dedicate most of this year to training for and playing at Worlds. A special thank you to Mike and Mel for pressuring me into playing New Zealand nationals back in 2008 and then organizing our team's Worlds bid this year. An extra thank you to all of the members of my team who made Worlds so unique, so special, so New Zealand.


Pin markers for all the teams at Club Worlds.


The showcase stadium at Versovice.