2008-07 - Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada

IN SEARCH OF EL DORADO
The Spaniards came looking for
the legend that had so enticed
them. The natives were adorned
with fine specimens of gold that graced
their necks, ears and noses. Rumours of
a land in which a kingdom of gold existed
but with the whereabouts unknown
inspired many, including Colombus.
The relentless hunt for El Dorado
seemingly never did result in attainment
– until now! The location has been
determined and it is Bucaramanga.
A group of Canadian pilots set off
for this destination in February 2008
against the better judgment of their
well-wishing loved ones and government
officials.
After a one-hour flight out of Bogota,
we were greeted upon arrival with
hugs and kisses and a short scenic drive
to our on-launch accommodations.
Within an hour we hiked a grueling 50
level steps, set up and were among the
Chulos, who are an excellent green alternative
to a vario. These buzzards are
much the same as the urubu in Brazil,
but they seem much more plentiful, are
keen to help you out and aren’t unhappy
to share their thermals with you.
It was “groundhog day,” day after day,
where you would get a bite for breakfast,
saunter out to launch at 10 a.m. and fly
the thermals until noon, then top land
before the north winds hit from noon
to 2:30. Richi — the ever-smiling, locally
born and bred, true Colombian
— would make sure that we had a nice
fresh lunch brought up to the site or
that we could wind our way into town
for the break.
Everywhere you go in this city of one
million people, the locals hail down
Richi and laughter ensues. Bucaramanga
itself is a very modern city for
the most part, and the downtown has
malls and shops that rival anything
you would encounter in Europe and far
exceed most in Canada. The basics of
food, clothing and transport are very
inexpensive and perhaps the most important
indicator — beer — came in at
CHRIS WILSON
SETS OUT IN
SEARCH OF HIS
OWN EL DORADO
— AND HE FINDS
IT IN COLUMBIA AT
A PLACE CALLED
BUCARAMANGA
about 75 cents!
Richi loaded us into a comfortable
van and scooted us off to another site
known as the , which has a grass runway
strip for launch followed by a dropping
vertical cliffband, which immediately
becomes your buena vista.
A good climb here will get you to
cloudbase and then allow for a crossing
of the canyon to the other side where
a national park and interpretive centre
allows the tourists to be inspired by
your audacity. A very warm LZ awaits
for you at the riverside after a vertical
descent of more than 4,000 feet.
With so much flying every day, we
decided to take a two-day break to
a historic and authentic town called
Barichara to enjoy food, drink and a
day pushing through a cavern consisting
of a zipline, fruit bats, vampire bats,
swimming, tunnel creeping, ladders
and the finale of jumping 15 feet down
into the darkness of black water. This
area is a popular destination for rafting
as well.
After a rest and many great chuckles,
we returned to another launch site
at the canyon in the morning and then
back to home base for the afternoon
sunset flight. This afternoon produced
a rare bit of rainfall in the next valley
and allowed for goose bumps or pinchme
moments of flying in the radiance
of rainbows.
If your taste is that of flying countless
hours under friendly skies, eating inexpensive
excellent food, drinking cheap
beer, viewing the exotic urban wildlife
as well as the charming geography, then
you really need to experience the pleasure
of this destination.
I have yet to determine the viability
of leprechauns stashing their pots,
but I know without doubt that the gold
does exist, and is to be found here in
El Dorado — otherwise known as Bucaramanga!
Check out the website and contact
Richi: colombiaparagliding.com
AIR MAGAZINE | JULY 2008 19