Perched a kilometre above
Bir at a height of 2400m on a spur running down from the
Dhauladhar range is Billing, the granddaddy of Himalayan
flying sites. Named after a Raj forest inspector who
fell in love with the spot (and so built the road up
there), it was pioneered by hang glider pilots in the 80s
and then the region was put firmly on the free flying map
in 1992 when Xavier Remond, looking for a few extra
kilometres, used the funicular railway station above
Jogindernagar, 10 km from Billing, as his launch site to set a
paragliding out and return world record of
132km.
When John started
exploring the Himalayas with Bob Drury on their pioneering
vol-bivouac journey in 1997, it was just along the Dhauladhar
ridge from Bir, on the first high range of the Himalaya,
that they started their adventure. The experience
gained in the ten years since then has confirmed that it
was a wise choice.
Billing has fantastic and
easy XC potential. Pilots with an ability to thermal
consistently will be able to explore an amazing Himalayan
arena where the 90km out and return flight to Dharamsala,
the home of the Dalai Lama, is possible,
with the right guidance, almost every day of the
season.
The main ridge soars to
4900m, giving a truly Himalayan scale to the flying
experience. In front of the ridge is a large flat valley
free from strong winds, giving pilots the opportunity of a
safe landing at all times if
necessary. All along the main ridge there are spurs running
down into the valley, many of which have grassy flat
shoulders like Billing suitable for top landing and
vol-bivouac.
Over the back behind Billing it
is a different story. The topography is more complex with
valley winds and fewer landing options upping the stakes.
An experienced guide here is invaluable.
