Part One: Paragliding in the Golden Age
In common with Neil Armstrong Mark could fly a plane before driving a car, but whereas Armstrong went on to fly rockets and land on moon, Mark went on to fly paragliders for wonderful decade coinciding with the golden age, when both technology and achievements were in ‘giant leaps’ almost daily… What started as an interesting way of descending from a mountain-climb progressed to flying thermals above the tops – and beginnings of cross-country flight. Flying as often as possible, around medical career and family commitments, he flew four different paragliders in Scotland, European and New Zealand Alps and Australia. First half will thus feature highlights from this decade’s mountain flying from very earliest beginnings, to first flights from several well-known Munro’s, including first ever from the highest; Ben Nevis 4,406ft on 23rd July 1990. Mark will then progress to flying in lift and early days cross-country flights in Scottish Highlands and Borders, moving on to scary flights in European as well as New Zealand Alps before finishing with a sublime cross-country flight, at cloud base, high above mountains, bush and creepy-crawlies of south eastern Australia…
The show features digitalised high resolution photos/slides with some animated Google Earth simulations + (acknowledged) excerpts from both historic and current publications especially UK and New Zealand.
Part Two: The Alps continued…
In the light of audience enjoyment of his two part Alps show 12th November 2025, Mark is showing a continuation, featuring Alpine adventures not featured in first show. There will initially be some focus on lessons learned through beginner mistakes on university climbing club expeditions on 1980’s. This will lead on into unsuccessful as well as successful ascents and challenges in 2000’s, faced with or despite long experience… Some slide sequences will again be set to Alpine Music, including a brief summary of first show highlights…
Book Online