Paragliding at Bir-Billing – 2
Woke up early and was pleasantly surprised to see what seemed to be a party of pied rather large paradise flycatcher like birds gliding excitedly from one tree to another. Still haven’t identified them but it sure was an interesting opera while it lasted.
After breakfast we drove up to Billing, the flying site located at a height of 2600 m, 14 km away by road. As we made our way upwards the temperature dropped progressively. Gliders were already up in the air although the inversion hung low.
I played with Panku a little Himachali boy at Chachu’s tea shop until it was time to head up to the takeoff and get into gear. A top to bottom was all I was interested in doing on day one – clearing the takeoff with my dignity intact, a straight glide and a good landing.
After a heart pounding flight ½ hour top to bottom passing through thermic, lifting and sinking air and feeling the different nuances in the air here I landed below at Sunset point in the village of Bir 2080 m below. I proceeded to calmly pack my glider – feeling like a conquering hero.