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Crossing the Alps

2. Crossing the Alps in gas balloon 2023

Submitted by stefan on Sunday, 14. May 2023

Practically to the day exactly after our great and 500km wide crossing of the Alps from Burgkirchen we succeed on 3 May again a wonderful crossing of the Alps in the gas balloon. This time we start early in the morning still in darkness in Augsburg. We quickly climb to 4000m and cross the Alps in 9 hours. The landing takes place not far from Biella where we already landed a month ago. With us as passenger is passionate paraglider Sepp Bucher. Sepp has a 360° camera on board. These really great shots I would like to keep no one

And here is another gallery of classic shots:

Alpine Crossing Bernese and Valais Alps

Submitted by stefan on Monday, 6. February 2023

Second crossing of the Alps in February

Lea and I start on Sunday 5 February at 8:40 am at the airfield Bern Belp. Even though we expected widespread high fog it is almost cloudless in the greater Bern area. Only towards the Alps some clouds are still hanging in the congestion. Initially we climb up to 3000 m but soon we reach the area where we can climb even higher. Today we reach the expected speed and ride at just under 50 KMH. The temperature is very pleasant today; after all the cold front is coming in the afternoon. Our ride goes as planned past the western part of the Bernese Alps towards Valais. We enjoy the view of Mont Blanc and especially the beautiful Matterhorn and the gorgeous Valais Alps. Lea and I are close again. It is the first crossing of the Alps for me this winter where we cross the Alps to the west. Some clouds pile up especially on the Bernese Alps; that gives fantastic moods and cloud pictures.

Finally, after 3 hours 20 minutes, we land in the Po Valley in a rice field. Lea and I land not 100 meters from each other.

Our followers arrive soon so that we are this time already at 16:00 o'clock in the hotel.

Alpine Crossing 31 January 2023

Submitted by stefan on Wednesday, 1. February 2023

Alpine crossing 31 January 2023

We start this morning with three balloons at 9:35 in Flawil. The weather and especially the forecast looks promising; ideal conditions for a trip to Italy.

Last shreds of high fog are just about to disappear and already at the launch site the sun laughs in our faces. We climb at the beginning to just under 3000m and do that but very leisurely. From Zurich-Kloten we get a clearance for the entry into the TMA.

Soon our ride turns southeast and picks up speed. At 4000 m we expect around 70-80 KMH. For this reason we decide to drive the first hour only at 3000 m.

Absolutely gigantic scenery! Not a single cloud adorns the sky... Nevertheless, the visibility is extremely clear. Also the temperature is pleasantly mild with about -9 ° at 3000 m. After a short visit from a helicopter of which, by the way, we got quite great pictures, (thanks Marc Schnetzer!) We slowly climb a little higher. Soon we reach about 4000 m and drive with the expected 70 KMH towards the Bernina massif. Before we reach the Engadin our flight turns a bit more to the right so that we continue our flight directly over Sondrio. The communication with the air traffic controllers in Milano works very well; not least because we three balloons are hardly even 200 m apart during the whole flight... After crossing the border, we drive very concentrated on our cleared flight level 140 and move with about 80-90 KMH on call distance to each other! Sometimes we are even hull to hull.

Simply ingenious, this crossing of the Alps; just a pity that it also has an end after 4 hours 15 minutes. We land all three very close together, yet somewhat sporty, south of Brescia near Leno in the Po Valley. A gigantic crossing of the Alps thus comes to a great end. Our followers soon arrive and take us to the hotel. Of course, the joint evening with a fine meal may not be missing....

Best thanks to all who contributed to the success of this trip!

Stefan

First alpine crossing 22/23

Submitted by stefan on Monday, 28. November 2022

For a long time the models for Sunday 27 November show an optimal weather situation for a crossing of the Alps. Already early I plan this ride. We decide on a ride from eastern Switzerland. In the west the wind speed should already be a bit tight. The goal is a crossing of central Grisons, the Engadine and Bergamo. A breathtaking mountain landscape, presents itself! The just freshly fallen snow enchants the mountain landscape into a fairy tale world. The journey goes forward as expected with 50-75 KMH. The landing takes place after a little over 4 hours in the Po Valley. The pleasant temperatures of 15°C and the many colorful trees still remind us of autumn. We enjoy the evening in my standard hotel in Inverigo near Milano. An ingenious journey finds so a comfortable end

Track of the ride