If you have decided to attempt a very exciting new hobby called wingsuit flying, this is going to be a hobby that you will enjoy. If you have ever seen a flying squirrel before, it functions in a similar manner. You are literally in a suit that allows you to have extensions, giving you the ability to increase your lift. They are also called birdman suits, and there are places all over the world where you can fly these and see the most amazing scenery around you. You will often see videos of this where people are wearing their GoPro camera and they are able to do base jumping from high above. Here is an overview of where some of the best places are to do wingsuit flying that you ought to try out.
Why These Need To Be Different Than Skydiving Locations
Part of the reason that you will want to choose spots that are specifically designed for people that are going to wingsuits is that instead of just jumping out of an airplane and landing, you are actually flying over the landscape that can be very exciting and dangerous. You will often start at the top of the huge mountain, overlooking beautiful scenery, and as you drop down you will be flying at high speeds right over the sloping terrain. This is why you need to choose specific areas which are not only beautiful, but have been done by others that have tested this before. Essentially, you are looking for any mountainous area where there are ravines, slopes, cliffs, gullies, all of which will make your jump more exciting.
Mont Blanc – France
You are going to start at the top of this mountain which is almost 16,000 feet above sea level. It is literally the highest peak in the Swiss Alps. It attracts hikers every year, but many people do much more than simply hike up to the top of the mountain. They are actually jumping off of the edge. Even though it may take eight hours to get to the top of the mountain, when they fly off in their wingsuit, it takes about three minutes to get to the bottom. They are actually coming within 20 feet of rocky cliffs and reaching speeds of over 100 mph, which is what makes this such an astounding jump.
Yosemite National Park – United States
If you are in the United States, not only is Yosemite National Park a sight to behold, but it’s also a great place to do base jumping. Most people go to Taft Point which is close to glacier point, and you will get to see Yosemite Valley, but El Capitan off to the side. There is a vertical drop of about 700 feet, a winding valley, it is a beautiful jump for most people. It’s only about 3000 m, so it is relatively short, but the scenery helps you make up for all of it.
Although wingsuit flying is relatively new, as the designs continue to improve, along with safety measures, more people will get into this sport. It really does take a lot of skill, and if you have never done this, there is the possibility that you could get hurt. However, as more locations are found where people can do this in practice, it will allow people that might be apprehensive to try the easier falls. It really is fun and if you do get a chance to do this, it will be something that you will always remember because of the beautiful scenery, speed, and the exhilaration of the experience.