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Climbing and mountaineering has a lower accident and death rate then driving a car. It’s not paragliding ;) I’m a former AMGA certified mountain guide and climbing instructor. I’ve done big walls in Yosemite and Zion. I’ve conducted high elevation rescues. If I ever get my health back, I wil join Larimer County SAR.

I’ve always told people I climb because I can’t fly. I’ve always wanted to try paragli but never found the time to learn a new game. When wing suits came out I really wanted to do it, but am at a point in my life with too much to lose. And by that, I mean that I wouldn’t want my wife and children to prematurely lose me to stupid human tricks.

I used to free solo when I was younger. I triggered a rock slide on Cathedral Peak in Yosemite back in the late 90s. I fell 30-40’ and was knocked out cold. I also had an impact break to my tibia, so it was cracked, but not broken through. I self rescued and hiked out 5 mi to my car. Good times, young dumb, and full of cum.

^That’s how I spent my 20s instead of putting on a suit and tie after I got that Econ degree ;)

I'm gonna play the Bernie game this morning...

Sears Point 1989
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1586184796.jpg

El Capitan
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1586184796.jpg

Mt Shasta right before we rode of the summit
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1586184796.jpg

I started young. Yosemite at age 4.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1586184796.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson (Post 10812990)

Thanks Bernie. Definitely not planning any travel without the kids the next 15 years or so. We feel strongly feel about what Nick was saying; travel is educational. We want our girls to see the world and see the difference among people.

Europe will most likely be where they see first. When my dad retired, before they moved back to the States, they bought an apt in Berlin. We’ve got a base of operations there with many great cities within a 1 day train ride away. And I’ve never seen the Alps. As a climber, Chamonix and Zermatt are must visits. I will likely pay a guide while they shop and eat. Though my elder is into it. She might want to climb too.

Good deal Matt! Nick seems to be a travel maniac. I like it too but I think my travel bug is all but gone. Students sometimes ask how many countries have you been to? I say -- not sure exactly, but maybe about 43? Lived in 4?

Travel is perhaps the best educational experience, if one has an open mind -- not like the stereotypical UGLY American. Japanese or now Chinese. It can be lonely too at times traveling alone, but I always found and sought out the local people so wasn't lonely. However, long term on the road can finally wear one down. At some point the need to be settled in one place takes hold. I can honestly say that I don't want to go anywhere. I guess it's kinda like sowing wild oats.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYNick (Post 10813033)

Been to Chamonix. It was October so no snow in the village. 3/4 of the way up the mountain these nutzoid para-gliders were laying out their equipment on a 20 degree slope and then running off the edge, 7000 feet up! 45 minutes to glide down.
Oh, and they die fairly regularly. Good times.

Place was beautiful though. I went all the way up, wifey wouldn't go. On the way we went through a 7 mile tunnel to get there. Toll was $40!

Traveling is cool. Won't be doing any of that anytime soon. I can't even see picking up a menu or sleeping in a hotel again until this thing is way, way over. And there's no reason to think it won't be back year after year. It's not like there's an expiration date.

I went on a HS ski trip to Chamonix. 'twas RAD! After getting my taste of Alps skiing, everything in N.A. was a let down for years afterwards. In retrospect I don't know how my parents thought it was a good idea to let 15 year old me go there with a bunch of other 15 year olds and like 2 chaperones. The 80s were so awesome.

That toll is now close to 50 EUR oneway. But you save several hours vs the old way, so it's worth it. I've driven in France on autoroutes where a 20 EUR toll would pop up every 40-50 miles on straightaways, let alone tunnels. So relatively speaking it's pretty cheap.
You will also be hard pressed to find a pothole on the autoroutes. The money is well spent. And the French know that left lane = passing lane, unlike in the US where 1/4 of the population thinks driving 5 MPH under the limit in the left lane is appropriate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaive (Post 10813659)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaive (Post 10813659)

Like also.
Wife reminded me it was 40 Euro, not dollars, one way.
People in Europe know how to drive, at least outside the cities. Inside the cities, I thank God I'm from NY. Same ****, different country. SmileWavy