Time out

There are few mountains that create such a scenic contrast as Elbrus.

Climb & Fly between professional commitments

It’s a subject of debate – whether Elbrus (5,642 m) in the Caucasus is the highest peak in Europe or not. The extinct volcano actually has two summits – the west peak (5,642 m) and the eastern one (5,621 m). Thomas Lämmle has regularly worked as a mountain guide on Elbrus. Last year, between his professional commitments on the mountain, he managed to launch from both peaks. This only made the experienced high-altitude climber hunger for more.

About

Thomas Lämmle is one of the most successful German high altitude mountaineers, among other things he climbed ten 8000m peaks without additional oxygen. He discovered his passion for paragliding over 30 years ago. Especially the combination of high altitude mountaineering and flying fascinates him. For 2020 he is planning a climb&fly in the Himalayas.

Equipment

PI 2 EASINESS

Clear for take-off: flight back to base camp.

June 2019. “I was guiding a group. We had successfully climbed the north side of the mountain and it had taken less time than expected, so we had our reserve day to spare. I used this to make a solo push from the base camp at 2,500 metres to climb to the east summit of Elbrus – another personal adventure” reports Thomas. This time I reached the east summit just before 6 am. The sun was already up, supplying the first warmth of the day. To be up here all by yourself was something really nice. Thomas did not wait around for long, but laid out his wing and took off. Soon afterwards he had landed at the morning’s departure point. The environmental contrast could not have been greater. From a bleak snowy peak to soft green grass – in 25 minutes.

A second helping July 2019. Thomas was back in the Caucasus for work. He still had a score to settle, unfinished business – a flight from the west summit. He started out early, wanting to be on the top at sun-up. The climb up was laborious. The higher he climbed, the thinner the air. He felt seriously short of breath, but the wind whistled in Thomas’ ears. Would it be a different story on the west summit? When he got to the top a weak south-east wind was blowing. “When I realised that I could take off I could not stop a wide smile from taking over my face,” enthused Thomas. Here on the top, at 5,642 metres, it persisted until he took off and his feet exchanged snow for air. He had to run fast. Slowly he floated out into the valley, and looked at his climbing route from above – he had been down there not even two hours ago. His gaze wandered away into the distance, to base camp at 2,500 m. He landed there safe and sound less than 30 minutes later.

Wanting more September 2019. For another guiding tour, Thomas went to the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro (5,895 m). Again he managed to fit in some personal time and made a flight from the top. Two of the Seven Summits with the paraglider within a few months. What’s going to be next? “To fly from an 8000er; that would be crazy! Let’s see what the future brings,” said the inspired mountaineer.

To take off from the top, then to fly away from the snow and land on the soft grass far below was something really special. 25 minutes‘ flying time instead of six hours‘ tedious climb down!

Thomas Lämmle

Alone on the summit: and the wind is perfect.