Crashing on Tarmachan

Gordon Proven

Tarmachan looked crisp and clear as we drove up to the dam between Tarmachan and Ben Lawers to have a look. Midwinter Paragliding in Scotland is tricky and we could see snow and ice blowing off the jaggy tops of Tarmachan in a strong SE wind; too fast for paraglider flying, so we decide to look for a calmer site. Gordon Mc. finds a sudden need to dump some ballast and as he disappears over a hummock we meet the boys just arrived from Edinburgh. They persuade us to try flying the lower ridge in front of Tarmachan. We relent and start up the hill with our giant paraglider packs on our backs. Hillwalkers can't understand why we are dragging such huge rucksacks up the hill.

The wind on the low ridge is fine 16-18 mph; so we take off. After a bit of ridge soaring we decide to cross to the next ridge West and head along the glen. ... (continues)