Wander between wonders: “lake to fly” by Christophe Dumarest

An adventure on the doorstep with the New UFO #haveyouseenit. Christophe Dumarest, alpine guide and speaker, tells us about moments of poetry suspended around Lake Annecy.

“Last April 19th, I left on foot from my village of Dingy Saint-Clair, at the foot of Parmelan (Haute Savoie, French Alps) to go to that of Quintal at the foot of Semnoz, on the other side of Lake Annecy. The idea -imagined the day before for the day after (!) was to connect these two places by hiking and flying only.

Vertical and horizontal travels punctuated by ridge paths, (sometimes) confidential trails and incomparable viewpoints. A spontaneous wandering as I like it, at the gates of the house and of which only the imagination draws the contours.

Going through these mountains which are for me more places to live, areas of expression, more than of playing field or adventures. Of mountains I thought I knew, I still made discoveries. The reliefs that I thought I comprehended, but which nevertheless always conceal an element of mystery, the unexpected.

A journey punctuated by celestial milestones, a gift for the knees: the transitions made in flight.

An intense day, rich in sensations, efforts and concentration, the consistency of which contributes to the creation of memories.

I will keep inscribed in my memory the takeoff from the summit of Veyrier which requires you to focus and take responsibility. But also the last climb on the eastern slopes of Semnoz with my feet in the snow and my thighs boiling. Finally I will remember this last flight towards Quintal, a bit shaken by the wind and accompanied by the snowflakes seeming to indicate to me that it was time to return to the ground and the home path.

➡️ 5 takeoffs (Veyrier, Col des Frêtes, Col de la Forclaz, Taillefer, Semnoz)

➡️ 3600m altitude difference
➡️ 9 hours of walking (including a break 🥪 at La Forclaz)

Thank you Relief Maps for the route, to my friend Charles Dubouloz for sharing the climb to the Col des Frêtes and AirDesign Gliders for The New UFO 16m2.