Billing H.P. and flying from it

[DirtyDan]

Billing is a big ridge that paragliders fly off of. It sits roughly between Dharamsala and the Kullu valley in H.P.

It is the site of many paragliding world records as you would expect from India's grand northern ranges.

I was in the area looking for ways up to the snow line and beyond but was stopped cold by monsoon damaged trails, non-trails and slides. It was a great day for jumping off a mountain so I looked in at Billing to see the boys, and a few girls, do their thing while I was in the neighborhood.

It was a cold crisp clear day with at least 40 paragliders in the air and many more lining up for launch.

The high angle autumn sun, the 8,500 foot clear air and the flamboyant canopies made a spectacular treat for the eyes.

[wanderernomad]

Beautiful pictures. I remember the first time the event was held there in 1990 I think. I was there as a young boy who half drove and half dragged a Bajaj Chetak up that road which was still in its nascent stage. Dan any idea if its a regular scheduled event these days with fixed dates? Would love to take the kids up there again to show them.

[v&v]

@DirtyDan - We had visited billing in Jan. Fantastic location and view.
Some shots of billing.


This the place the guys are jumping in earlier picture.


He is the only guy stay on top. Staying alone for so many years.

[DirtyDan]

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

Beautiful pictures. I remember the first time the event was held there in 1990 I think. I was there as a young boy who half drove and half dragged a Bajaj Chetak up that road which was still in its nascent stage. Dan any idea if its a regular scheduled event these days with fixed dates? Would love to take the kids up there again to show them.

There is a competition held in November I think. You might try Google. The place had about 200 people and 60-70 gliders total when I was there.
If the weather is good, they are flying in numbers now.

[ExtremeTorque]

DirtyDan, excellent pics. I love the 2 and the 4th pic, where they are ready to jump off. Can you post some more details like what it takes for first timers (entry criteria, if any?), cost per jump, best season etc? The thing is, I am visiting HP in December and i just cant resist adventure sports

[lilMonSter]

I'm happy other people are also getting to bir and billing. Playing pool in the pool hall in bir, chilling in the fields. it's a place i go to every year, have friends from bir. it is a beautiful place which has to be seen for all the beauty to sink in. The paragliding thing is an annual affair. loved the pics dan!

[MileCruncher]

Dirty Dan: Awesome pictures. So did you also do it or were you a spectator?

Originally Posted by ExtremeTorque

DirtyDan, excellent pics. I love the 2 and the 4th pic, where they are ready to jump off. Can you post some more details like what it takes for first timers (entry criteria, if any?), cost per jump, best season etc? The thing is, I am visiting HP in December and i just cant resist adventure sports

You can actually do Para Sailing right here in Hyderabad in Tank Bund with APTDC run courses or can go with GHAC for a 3 day certification course near Lonavala. That course costs about 7-8k per person and is a 3 day affair.

[wanderernomad]

Infact billing is not just a paragliders turf. It is also one of the gateways into the Bara Bhangal area, the remotest valley in H.P now.

[tsk1979]

Were these pics taken from the world championship on 28-30 oct?