Bernhard “Beni” Kälin set off to the east on an XC flight in Wallis, then decided to continue, and flew three impressive distance flights in three consecutive days. A total of 694 kilometers – without preparation; not even a toothbrush. His conclusion: “Cross country without plan or homesickness is the best!”
Day 1: Off the cuff – off to the east
With mostly weak climbs ahead the prospects were not the best as Bernhard Kälin set off towards the east on the 4th of July from the Riederalp in Oberwallis. In nine hours and two minutes on the Wallis racetrack the Chill Out Paragliding flying instructor crossed the Furkapass and Andermatt in the Surselva, then flew past Chur, Klosters and the Silvretta into the Tirol where he landed in the Inntal shortly before Tösens. After the tiresomely fought 213 kilometers it was clear to him that it would be difficult to get home again. He decided to stay the night in Austria and see what the next day held. His summary of this day:
Day 2: Flying back is not an option
Moderate west wind. To fly back is not an option, Beni doesn’t like flying into wind. As well as that this is the 31 year old’s first time in Austria. So why not check out the Austrian Alps from the air? Pitztal, Ötztal, Stubai, Brenner and Zillertal: famous names, he’d often heard of them. By the end of his 233 kilometer, eight hour flight he can put pictures to the names at last. Beni’s route took him past Kaunertal, Pitztal, Ötztal, Stubai, Zillertal, along the south side of the Pinzgau and past the Kitzsteinhorn. Because of the wind from the side he decided to divert to the south. Not a good idea. Ten minutes later he had landed 2,000 metres below by the Tauern autobahn – washed down by north föhn. After an hour’s walk an Austrian pilot took him to Antholz in Südtirol. Beni’s analysis:
Day 3: It doesn’t go as planned
Beni’s plan for today: to fly back to Switzerland from the Grente. He already had every railway station in Graubünden filed in his head, and knew exactly when and from where the last train to Interlaken left. In the air Beni fought against the wind, which got stronger and stronger. Piz Palü and Piz Bernina seemed hopelessly far away. West of Meran Beni gave up the idea of the Swiss goal. He wants to make the most of the day and fly some distance. And did he ever! The 246 kilometers was his longest flight so far. After eight hours and 50 minutes, in which he took in the Riesenferer Group and the Karnischer Alps, among other places, he landed by Givigliana, a small nest in Friaul, Italy. His comment:
After a night in Venice Beni travelled by train to Interlaken the next day, via Milan. He had spent three intensive days – with more time in the air than in bed.
Benis Equipment
About Beni
Beni Kälin
Spontaneity and an openness to new ideas is natural to Beni Kälin. The 31 year old Bernese Oberlander is a talented multi-tasker: an accomplished basejumper, wingsuiter, speedflyer, freeskyer, kiter and paraglider pilot. And that always at the highest level. As a cross country pilot he repeatedly achieves creative Alpine crossings and his exploits into high-alpine terrain speak for themselves. His passion for paragliding has been his profession for several years. Beni is a partner and instructor of Chill Out Paragliding in Interlaken.