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Wanderbird founder, Paul Guschlbauer. Photo: Robin Issartel \/ Red Bull Content Pool<\/p>\nWanderbird have announced details of an eight-day hike-and-fly challenge across the Alps, starting in Westerndorf, Austria on 13 June.<\/p>\n
The concept is completely unsupported, with organisers providing little more than a live tracker and a start and finish. It\u2019s also uncompetitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a race \u2013 it\u2019s the ultimate test of your integrity, your knowledge, your mindset and your connection to nature,\u201d say organisers.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo rankings, no podiums, just a list of finishers who successfully complete their chosen challenge.\u201d No support or media crews or outside assistance is allowed either. Entrants are expected to be \u201c100% self-sufficient\u201d to \u201chonour the purest spirit of the Wanderbird adventure\u201d.<\/p>\n
Wanderbird founder, Paul Guschlbauer. Photo: Robin Issartel \/ Red Bull Content Pool<\/p>\n
The style appears more \u201cvol-visa\u201d than vol biv, with entrants allowed to stay at hotels, huts and guesthouses and use any other \u201cpublicly available resource\u201d so long as it\u2019s not transport.<\/p>\n
Pilots have the choice of three out-and-return routes, a 300km fun course to Piz Arina and back, a 500km tour version to Piz Uccello and the Hero course, a roughly 800km course to the Matterhorn and back. Pilots have eight days to reach their target \u2013 and make it back to Westerndorf before the clock stops.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe everyone deserves the chance to live and complete an extraordinary experience like the Wanderbird adventure,\u201d say organisers. The no-frills style also extends to the turnpoints. There are none. Pilots are encouraged to find their path. \u201cThere is no specific route to follow, just one turnpoint to reach,\u201d say organisers.<\/p>\n
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The route starts in Westendorf, Tirol. \u201cFrom there, a straight westward line follows the highest mountains of the Alps towards the Matterhorn. This line marks the shortest connection between the start, turnaround and finish for all participants.\u00a0The line serves as a reference. It defines the theoretical challenge. The real path is yours to draw,\u201d the event website states.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we connect the dots, we follow not only the geographical backbone of the Alps, but also a natural weather divide \u2013 with north and south Alps often living in different conditions. Every decision you make, reveals its consequence over time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The goal, say organisers, is \u201cexperience over excellence\u201d, putting the focus on the challenge of the adventure, rather than competition. \u201cBesides physical preparation, finding your true \u2018Why\u2019 is crucial. We will help you on the way,\u201d they say.<\/p>\n
The challenge reflects the growing interest in hike-and-fly crossings of the Alps. British pilot Tim Pentreath has seen his loosely organised Gumball Rally surge in popularity since it started a few years ago, mostly by word-of-mouth. Wanderbird founder Paul Guschlbauer is doubtless aiming to tap into that demand.<\/p>\n