Tips
How to read this guidebook?
Hiking Start: (name of the start point of the hike), (meters above sea level)m ASL
Hiking: (gaining vertical meters)Hm, (estimated required time)h
Takeoff Point: (name of the takeoff), (meters above sea level)m ASL
Takeoff Type: (the nature of the surface)
Takeoff Direction: (possible directions of takeoff)
Landing Options: (suggested landing)
Advantages: (why this tour is awesome + possible variations)
Disadvantages: (what is fucked-up about this tour)
Caution: (what could kill you - beside climbing and flying in the alps)
Map (Interactive map of the hiking part - better used with FATMAP app or desktop)
Map
This website is using FATMAP to describe the hiking part of the tours. It is recommended to browse the map on FATMAP's website or download FATMAP App
https://fatmap.com/adventures/
It is also recommended to download the route offline if planned to use it during the tour.
The estimated times on the map do not factor finding the takeoff spot and preparing your gear for takeoff. Allow at least another 30min for this. The times neither factor rests. At any rate - allow also the time to walk down if not flyable.
Disclaimer
This is a basic guidebook for hike and fly tours that describe only in bullet points the principles of the tours. The underlined assumption is that users are autonomous and experienced paragliding pilots (and hikers) to plan and execute adventures on their own. For high altitude tours - users need to be also autonomous and experienced mountaineers.
At any rate - this website does not take any responsibility. Go do your own homework and take ownership for your own actions.
Weather Forecast and Other Sources
Weather Forecast in Chamonix valley: chamonix-meteo.com
Weather Forecast in the Swiss part: www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch (search for Finhaut)
Wind Forecast: www.windy.com (I like ECMWF model)
Wind Stations: winds.mobi
Official Takeoffs around Chamonix: www.paraglidingmap.com/regions/chamonix
Webcams around Chamonix: www.chamonix.net/english/webcams
Foehn Chart: www.meteocentrale.ch/en/weather/foehn-and-bise/foehn.html
Chamonix General Guidelines for flying: www.chamonix.net/english/leisure/paragliding
Call Chamoniarde for current info on a route's conditions: https://www.chamoniarde.com
How to Paraglide: www.wikihow.com/Paraglide
Gear
Do you mule 15kg of paragliding gear? Forget it. The tours here require a nappy harness and a Hike&Fly wing. For each tour you need to pack slightly different but as a principle - go 'light&fast'. Otherwise the required times are not feasible and you will compromise your safely on the delicate hikes.
Season and Conditions
Mind the season: a tour in September to a 2500m fun&easy peak can look like an expedition in February. Snow line changes everything and it moves on a weekly basis. Contact OHM office for current information on a certain route chamoniarde.com